Large redwoods towered around like sentinels to the forest. The height of the mountains was a stark contrast from being near the beach. The Santa Lucia Mountain Range was home to Big Sur, and to drive along this part of Highway One was to enter another world. Cloaked within fog and coastal wind, Trish felt like she'd entered Middle Earth. This area was known for its hiking trails and redwood groves. They pulled into the suggested Google Maps stop, a restaurant among a small shopping complex within Big Sur. It had a grocery store along with cute, little boutique stores. The shopping center was like an oasis within a fantasy world of trees and ferns.

Big Sur was a homey mountain town similar to other mountain towns in California. With the shopping center as the main source of civilization, it was a place where people could get back to nature and feel free. Hippy art, home-made designs and wares were featured in the windows of several shops. It was a great place to rest and have lunch. They got on the list at the restaurant, and were told they had a twenty-five minute wait. It was summer, after all, and the roadway stops were used a lot since they were few and far between. "Let's go see what is around." She pulled his hand, leading him into a boutique. 

Trish oohed at all the local crafters' wares. "Look at this wood carving. I like the way the wood is carved into a bear. Look at his expression."

In-ho nodded, glancing at the crafts. Trish walked along the tie-dyed and hand woven clothing, making her way to the jewelry counter. It was her weakness. She loved to wear rings or a bracelet. She spoke, looking towards In-ho as she pointed to some necklaces in the glass counter case. "These make the best souvenirs. I love the jade from here."

In-ho put down a macramé wall décor with shells interwoven for decoration. He walked over with interest in his voice. "Is it jade?"

"Yeah, Big Sur is famous for its native jade." Trish worked her fingers through a bowl full of small pieces of dark, green smooth stones. She picked one up and felt the cool surface. "I love stones. They ground me."

"Look at these," said In-ho pointing to a set of leather-braided bracelets with a jade stone clasp.

"Oh, those look so cool." Trish said eager to try one on. In-ho reached to help her move the stone through the slit opening of the leather to secure the bracelet.

Trish held it back to look. The leather was soft, and the jade hit the pulse point on her wrist. "I love it."

"It's yours. A souvenir." In-ho already had out his phone, ready to scan it.

"Oh, I couldn't let you do that." She started to undo the strap of leather, even though she'd fallen in love with this piece of jewelry.

She felt his hand rest on her wrist. "Please. I insist. Let me thank you for your help. A thank you gift."

She felt a tingle where his fingers were touching her skin. She took in a breath and let it out slowly. "Okay. I accept your gift." He refastened it back onto her wrist, slipping the stone through the leather clasp. He picked one out for himself, and started to put it on.

She grabbed his wrist. "Let me help." He let her fasten the stone through the loop as the cashier rang up their bracelets. "Thank you, In-ho. I appreciate it." She grabbed his wrist, putting hers next to his. "We're like superheroes now, with the same bracelet."

He smiled back. "Something to remember the moment."

She nodded. The cashier mentioned the receipt was emailed to him. Trish let go of his hand, and he grabbed it, moving it back and forth. She saw his eyes move over her wrist, and he smiled. "It looks good."

Trish held it out as they started to walk back to the restaurant for lunch. She felt his hand wrap around her waist, and she leaned in. It felt right, like somehow being in the woods and buying something together was bonding them on this adventure.

After they were seated and their order was taken, Trish asked, "Do you want to go hiking after this?"

In-ho seemed to perk up across the table. "I'm at the tour guide's discretion. It's your tour."

"Have you ever been on a hike?" asked Trish after taking a bite of her Chicken Caesar salad.

"Are you suggesting I need exercise?" He raised up his arm and flexed.

Trish took a deep breath ignoring the feelings of seeing his flexing muscle under his shirt sleeve. "Um, no. You are in great shape. Just that, this is a hiking paradise."

"Yes. I enjoy doing outdoor activities, when I can." He lowered his arm with a big grin.

"Perfect." She clapped, and rubbed her hands together. "I know there are some trails near here. It will only take like an hour or so. We should have plenty of daylight. There are some of the best redwood trails in Big Sur."

"You're giving the full California tour." He laughed a little, sipping some of his iced tea.

Trish smiled back, happy that she was still in super guide girl mode. She tilted her head towards him to emphasize her point. "At your service."

They drove down the coast a little more until she recognized the area to exit for one of her favorite trails. They found the parking area for the State Park facility. "You're going to love this one. It's a great day for hiking too." When they got out of the Ferrari, there was just a slight breeze to go with the California sunshine. Large bushes were on either side of the trailhead entrance, and large towering redwoods encased most of the parking lot. There was the hint of ocean spray and salt in the air. A breeze blew Trish's hair, and she pulled it back out of her eyes. She stumbled, missing the rocks that had tumbled onto some of the trail.

In-ho caught her by the hand. "Are you all right?"

She looked down, and saw that her sandal had undone, and she had to reconnect the Velcro. "Yeah. My stupid sandal. The strap just came off."

"I don't want you stumbling off the cliff. Maybe I should walk behind you, so I can catch you if you have another accident."

"No, I'm fine." She felt hurt that she was such a klutz. What must he think? She couldn't even walk down a trail?

The steep trail continued along the edge of a high cliff. They had to take it slow until they were near the bottom. Then, they followed the sandy center of the trail. Trish heard the sound of the waves before she saw them. It lead them through a marshy outlet that ran into the ocean.

They turned up one path, exploring through the lush marsh grasses that surrounded them. The brackish water was bitter and sour to her nose. They finally arrived at an opening along the ravine trail to the beach. Trish got excited. "I remember this part. There's a large hollow in the cliffs, along the beach. Just a short walk. Come on." She grabbed his hand, and they walked through the sand as quick as they could. It was slow going as their feet sank in with each step. Both were a bit out of breath when they arrived at the hollow. Rocks and tide pools made steps up to the cliff with a small cave carved out by the sea.

The slope of the shore showed how higher tides and storm surf could have carved out the hollow in the cliff. They walked along a part of the cliff still intact before entering the hollow cave. Above them, the small cave was dark, but they could hear the unmistakable small chirp and flap of something above them. Trish stopped, and looked up. "That movement has got to be birds or something."

"Or maybe bats," suggested In-ho.

"Yeah, maybe." Trish looked up squinting. Just then, a wave came and splashed at the lower part of the stone slope. Water sprayed up, getting her hair and face wet with spray. "That was uncalled for." She wiped some of the salty water from her mouth. Salt stung at her eyes.

In-ho brushed her hair away, stuck to her face by the surf. "Maybe we should make our way out. Before whatever is up there decides to come out for the night or the next wave takes us out to sea."

"I don't know. It could be like in the Lost Boys. A lair for the local vampires."

"Lost Boys?" In-ho looked confused.

"A movie made in Santa Cruz back in the eighties. It was about local vampires, and they lived in a cave near the beach." She made her voice sound spooky. "Just. Like. This one." She pointed up at the ceiling. "They could be sleeping up there. Right. Now."

"How do you know I'm not a vampire?" In-ho's eyebrow raised behind his dark sunglasses.

"You may be. But you don't sparkle, and you're up and about in the sun. So, in most vampire accounts, you're breaking all those rules."

"How do you know the vampire rules?" He lowered his sunglasses, giving her an eyebrow raise.

"I read a lot." She winked at him.

They followed the slope out, over the rocks and between tide pools back to the beach proper. Seagulls flew crying like from a cartoon Disney movie. Trish couldn't help it. She answered the seagulls with cries of, "Mine, mine, mine." She started to chase a pair on the sand. They flapped upward, out of her reach. But she kept after them, "Mine, mine." Then, they fell on the sand together, laughing.