2017's Big Sur Revival

Backstory to 2017's Big Sur Revival:

The Pfieffer Canyon Bridge experienced two massive landslides resulting in the closing of Highway 1 starting May of 2017. The damage of the bridge caused the link between Big Sur and Monterey communities to be separated. Travelers were not able to gain the full experience of Highway 1 during its peak season in the summer. Many people's bucket lists were undone for the summer since McWay Falls, Pfieffer Beach, resorts, few parks, were closed. It was a great loss for Big Sur, but all hope came rushing in the late fall - early winter. The bridge was restored in the fall and travelers coming from the north and south of Highway 1 were able to pass. However, with access through the bridge and continually being maintained, Pfeiffer Beach and McWay Falls were inaccessible besides Bixby Bridge. It almost felt that Big Sur would not be complete without the views that many anticipate for after reopening the bridge. It came to pass that it was announced for the two to open in November. As of late November, the intent was to travel and take photos but I did not want to come to Big Sur without any preparation for what to expect and sulking in the low levels of inspiration. So then this happened.

I received a Christmas gift from my best friend, partner, and travel buddy. The title of the book is "Not Man Apart" by Loren Eiseley. This book entails photos from some of the greatest photographers from Ansel Adams, to Cole Weston, to William Garnett, and featured poet Robinson Jeffers. The harmony of poetry lined with photography lead me to make a commitment and give time to visit areas of Monterey through Big Sur and beyond, head on with a new mindset and sense of exploration.

By Loren Eiseley "...to respect its fragile character, to perceive the meaning of the road..."

(Inclined trail that leads to the top of a hill with perfect morning views of a straightaway road.)

Stand at the edge of cliffs and you'll face the sound of freedom.

(A cliff off trail with the ocean's potential to rise at high tide.)

California sunsets are like answered prayers in the winter of December for those who oppose the changing temperatures of the supposed timing of seasons.

(McWay Falls during sunset and light beaming on the thin stream.)

By Robinson Jeffers "Earthquake-proved, and signatured By ages of storms: on its peak A falcon has perched."

(Pfieffer Beach's iconic winter solstice keyhole lighting event as the sun hit through the keyhole during sunset.)

"Those of us privileged to live on this coast, in the immensity of its scope and in its great proportion, enjoy a strong sense of belonging."

 (Bixby Bridge with the sky being modest that day.)

A Short Piece by Jovey Gruspe:

I stood between man-made and God-made creations. The road gives us the pathway to enter the unrecognizable beauty of peace in the form of nature and feelings consumed. A road like this gives no direction but to openness and relief leaving what's behind, behind. No matter what weather the forecast shows, Big Sur will offers more than a captured view, it is a view that motions you to find new details of its greatness.

Travel time:

Bay Area to Big Sur

• San Jose-1hr33
  
• San Francisco-2hr19 
  
• Oakland-2hr11
  

NorCal to Big Sur

• Sacramento-3hr11 
  
• Redding-5hr2
  
• Humboldt-6hr58
  

SoCal to Big Sur

• San Luis Obispo-2hr36 
  
• Santa Barbara-4hr 9min 
  
• Los Angeles-5hr25 
  
• San Diego-7hr13