I read that, it took around 18 years to build a scenic route that has allowed lovers of nature, to discover the unique beauty of Big Sur. Most of the work was done by convicts which in exchange got sentences shortening. Driving up North the Hwy 1 From San Simeon to Monterrey is a real curvy, slow and narrow path which provided us with abundant opportunities of looking very closely to the left, the Pacific Ocean; to our right the impressive mountain array and rock formations. I was hypnotized by 90 miles of magnificent mountain range, vegetation, sea life, native flowers and Coastal cliffs.
I am so grateful for the capability of being mesmerized by one of the most immensely coastal portions of California. Road trips are always incredible opportunities for meditative moments to observe closely and honor the omnipresence of this region named " Big Sur", definitely priceless.
It was here that the California Condor was reintroduced after being extinct. I kept seeing them flying high in the sky till in one moment one came down very closely to us. The Condor who inspired the International well- known peruvian "Condor Pasa" music, kept on and on reminding me of the freedom and the looking inwards for soul searching. It was all there.
From San Simeon to Carmel, Highway 1, provided us with an infinite number of opportunities to be in the present, moment beautiful moment that we were experiencing, The Now was Immeasurably.
At Piedras Blancas we met the elephant seals and learned from them to just lay back, relax, indulge in the moment. Out of a population of 2500 that gather at the beach, we met 100's.. It was hard to think about their nearly extinction.
So much to see and savour but not enough days to do it all. Specially if we wanted to dedicate time to each place.On our last day before heading home, we visited The most amazing natural preserve I remember seeing. Point Lobos with its cypress trails, kelp forest, tentacle forest( I named It like that because kelp here looked like octopus tentacles) seals, otters, blue herons, birds, jelly fish and a variety of native vegetation. There was a whole pelican peak communnity, which made us super happy because this descendans of velociraptor also once were extinct. In this park we learned of trentepholia aurea, the Orange formation on trees that we never seen before.
For our back to civilization moment we visited picturesque Carmel by the Sea where I got to take pictures of beautiful gardens, signs, hamlets and definitely sensing life all around us... We experienced a sunset surrounded by very welcoming and friendly communnity.
We could not come back home without visiting Dr. Wayne Dyer Asilomar. A very peaceful place for more opportunities to be in the Present moment. We kept thinking on how much Dr. Dyer appreciated this place and how amazing it is that is available to all of us, as one beautiful State Park.
For all the book lovers and HBO series followers " Big Little Lies" tv set at "Lovers Point is another beautiful spot. We saw squirrels that were willing to pose and gorgeous reefs and coves filled with anemones and humongous starfish.
We were so grateful of all the raw Ocean living beauty we encountered without having to see them enclosed at an aquarium. For the 1st time, we had the opportunity to enter the Monterrey Aquarium, blessed by the gift that a patient of Manuel who lives in Monterrey offered.
We loved the opportunity to see all the work the community of Monterrey are placing on making a sanctuary to preserve life in the Ocean. We got to hear about Luna a rescued Otter and about Baja California my hometown where whales and different species are being followed and protected by researchers and Oceanographers.
Our time was up and we had to come back. We drove on 101 in between fields and fields of lettuce, cabbage and many nurseries. We saw produce being picked by Latinos and it made me feel more than grateful for their contribution to our life and country.
We are deeply grateful for the decades of dedicated work from these humans who place food in our table. I wondered if immigration reformers, politicians, ICE workers, Congressmen, and our President feel humble passing by the Central California majestic mountains, witnessing the farmworkers arduous work, so that we all have food in our table.
Our time was up and we had to come back. We drove on 101 in between fields and fields of lettuce, cabbage and many nurseries. We saw produce being picked by Latinos and it made me feel more than grateful for their contribution to our life and country.
We are deeply grateful for the decades of dedicated work from these humans who place food in our table. I wondered if immigration reformers, politicians, ICE workers, Congressmen, and our President feel humble passing by the Central California majestic mountains, witnessing the farmworkers arduous work, so that we all have food in our table.
I did feel small standing behind the Ocean, between mountains and next to all the abundance life can offer.
Driving the 90 miles of coastal mountains, canyons, forest, bluffs, and the magic within the Big Sur Preserve and State Parks was an epic adventure. This is our 1st field trip for Giancarlo's 7th grade of education and we look forward to more journeys like this.
Driving the 90 miles of coastal mountains, canyons, forest, bluffs, and the magic within the Big Sur Preserve and State Parks was an epic adventure. This is our 1st field trip for Giancarlo's 7th grade of education and we look forward to more journeys like this.
This educational trip, gave GC plenty of learning opportunities in a very open and inviting classroom called nature. Definitely it was a field trip for sensing life at is fullest.
Photographs and article by ©KarlaGMundo2018
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