On The Path To Big Sur

Can you imagine Paradise on Earth?

Now, can ya? Well, I think I found a small piece of it in California. Look at pictures #1 thru #7. Hey! Really, look at all of them!!!! These pictures don't give this piece of Paradise its due...it is a gorgeous place, filling the senses with one wondrous scene after another...rocky streams of tumbling water moving towards the ocean; wide valleys of splendor rising up to the high peaks above; foot paths of chipped wood inviting all of us to its destinations; birds of prey using the swirling air currents to seek food for their young; cool ocean breezes wafting up the mountain side cooling the hikers brow; and the Pacific Ocean cliffs rising up above the giant waves crashing into them every three seconds. And, for sure, sensual pleasure from driving the 100+ miles of snaking highway (mostly 3-5 feet from the edge of steep cliffs) along the California's mid-coast.

This IS definitely a "left coast" Paradise!

Now, follow me up the mountain path...it was spectacular climb to those California towers...it was a sound machine made sensually exquisite by water dropping towards the ocean across boulders and rocky spaces in between. Follow the path to the summit, thru grassy slopes, darkened woods and switchbacks of worn clay and pebbles. See the vistas at every height...a brook at the bottom, a meadow at the midpoint and a pine forest at and below the summit. What is better than the ocean vistas at each level....the cliffs washed in surf, the white ocean water swirling at its edge, azure blue waters off a ways, and deep blue waters all the way to Japan, the Philippines and Australia.

I drove Highway One (US 1) along this coastline from Morro Bay, thru San Simion, to The Big Sur Forest, to Monterey Bay ... as you can see, it is spectacular!!! You can see the WPA bridges all along the way. You can stop at 100 "View Points" all along the way. You can stop at The Hearst Castle (below) on the way. And, you can stop for lunch and dinner in 3-4 "great vista" cafes along the way. There is beauty everywhere all along the way! It is a perfect lesson in God's tapestry of gifts to us all! You can see the highway snake up the coast for miles and miles. You can see where you've been and where you will be....sensory happiness in every direction, up and down, to and fro!!! I knew I needed to be here...it is heaven on earth to this "poet/biologist/vagabond ."

So, travel these paths with me....up the hill and down the road....either way, you will be at a great loss if you fail in your lifetime to travel these paths yourself!