Today I want to drive through Big Sur, supposedly one of the most beautiful parts of this road.
I've known it by the books of Jack Kerouac and Hunter S. Thompson.
The coast is frequently praised for its rugged coastline and mountain views. As the "longest and most scenic stretch of undeveloped coastline in the United States,"it has been described as a "national treasure that demands extraordinary procedures to protect it from development“, and "one of the most beautiful coastlines anywhere in the world, an isolated stretch of road, mythic in reputation.
Wikipedia has a good article on it (Click, opens in new window)
Breakfast close to my motel at Denny's Diner in Marina
From Marina, north of Monterey, I find my way to Carmel-by-the-Sea, the Carmel Highlands, and Highway One South. Beautiful spots.
Sidekick: Clint Eastwood was mayor of Carmel for two years. (Click, opens in new window)
Leaving the Highlands I run into a road sign saying the road is closed 20 miles ahead. Continue anyway, let's see
until I hit the road block at the Big Sur Lodge in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park...
The Big Sur Lodge provides some more information on the road closure,
The Highway is closed between Big Sur Lodge in the north and Ragged Point in the South.
There has been a huge landslide in May, 20 miles of road are impassable, and there is nothing I can do but take the 3,5 hours detour via 101, as shown above, the historic route Camino del Rey.
It's getting pretty hot as soon as you leave the coast...
Here I turn north again and drive Highway One along tthe Pacific up to Ragged Point, where the road is closed again.
The Big Sur part of Highway One is probably one of the most scenic roads to drive, I am pretty disappointed I can't do it, and thrown back.
A little reseach beforehand always helps...;-)
For the next time, if you ever plan to do this trip, check this website: bigsurcalifornia.org and here: thebigsurblog.com
I have a coffee and some blueberry cookie, give up and turn south again, what the heck, keep going and make the best out of it. I find a good station on the radio, Radio Bob.FM, 103.5, he plays what he likes, Santana and Jimi Hendrix for example, I cruise down south, Oye come va, and further down the road the Wind whispers Mary, full volume, this Pony Car sure has a decent stereo built in :-))
After the Sea Otters in Moss Landing Harbour two days ago, today I stop for Elephant Seals
Around 7 pm I start looking for a place for the night. This detour through Camino del Rey tokk quite some time, I had a lot of suntoday, driving the Pony Car with open roof all the time.
San Luis Obispo flies by, I prefer places close to any water for the night and decide to stay in Pismo Beach, there are two Motel 6, I have a look at the expensive one downtown, and choose the even more expensive Dolphin Cove Motel right on the beach. A spacious room with a view, coffee machine, sofa, two beds to choose from, perfect matrass, ice cubes at the reception, fantastic view from the porch, and, noteworthy, the room smells really good. I settle for the night, sit on the porch, cool the 4 Coronas I had left from Marina, watch the late surfers on the beach and the sun go down.
Late Surfers at Pismo Beach from Vo Sta on Vimeo.
Late Surfers at Pismo Beach from Vo Sta on Vimeo.
After sunset I walk into town for some cigarettes and food, the guy at the Liquor store tells me I have to hurry, most places close at 9 pm (!), my last resort is a Calzone at the Pizza place, and they close at 10...
What a ride.
Tomorrow's target: Los Angeles, Tinsel Town...
See you under water
No comments:
Post a Comment