“In wildness lies the hope of the world.”
Nothing heals the soul like a drive through the great vast wilderness that is Big Sur. I know that this is a place I will return to as often as possible. And if my heart should find the need to wander off the grid, look for me camped out on the rugged California coastline.
On my drive south from San Francisco, I made a couple stops along the way - Point Montara Lighthouse being one of those stops. The lighthouse has a hostel, which makes it a unique and interesting choice for accommodation. I love the colours of the coast -- bursts of mustard and sienna set against the cobalt sea. A view both rugged and serene.
Just south of Nepenthe restaurant -- where I highly recommend breaking for a meal overlooking the ocean -- lies Henry Miller Memorial Library. Nestled among the redwoods, the library is a bookstore, art gallery of sorts, and a live music venue. I've now added playing a gig here to my bucket list! Playing and singing among the trees with the stars twinkling above and the ocean keeping rhythm would be a dream come true. How do I make this happen? ;)
Artist and writer Henry Miller once wrote, "Only when we are truly alone does the fullness and richness of life reveal itself to us." And there is no better place for such revelations than Big Sur.
“Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air.”
No trip to Big Sur would be complete without a stop at Pfeiffer Beach. This gem is hard to find -- and I think deep down I secretly love that because anonymity breeds mystery, and mystery is magical. Make no mistake, the rock arch is one of the most photographed spots in Big Sur, so this beach is no secret. But perhaps the sharp turnoff on the unmarked road keeps the area less crowded than most tourist spots.
I spent a few hours just sitting in the sand, letting the world pass me by. Sunset is the best time to visit. The sun sets perfectly behind the arch, against an azure sky, and the cliffs turn burnt orange. And the world is all at once overwhelmingly amazing.