Stretch of Ocean
It was last year, around this time, I went on my first amazing scenic road trip with one of my dearest friends. Coming from Taiwan, as an island, I’m no stranger to the ocean. However, until I went on Pacific Coast Highway / Route 1 in California, I did not know seeing stretches of ocean can be so exhilarating and calming at the same time.
The ocean was never ending and colored in the dreamiest shade of blue. The scale of the ocean gives you an illusion that it’s static, but take a closer look, the continuous waves and the jumping whales yield such liveliness.
Started from the Bay Area, we made our way to Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park and came back to spend 1 night in Monterey.
Along PCH, there are countless vantage point where we could stop as we wish and take in all the Pacific Ocean has to give.
The landscape constantly alternates between grassy hills, sandy beaches and rocky cliffs. Each is a different palette of nature.
After a short stopover for lunch at Big Sur, we continued our journey to the final point - Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. The McWay Falls coming out of the side of a cliff, pouring continuous water onto the beach in a cove. I appreciate for a famous scenic point, people are only allowed to take pictures from the trail on the other side of the hill. Hopefully for years to come, the McWay Falls itself and the surrounding water, beach and cove will stay as they are, away from human corrosion.
Turning around after Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, we made it to the Bixby Bridge for sunset. The Golden Hour gives the mountainside and the bridge a natural glow as the sun sets at the ocean side. Standing at the vantage point, watching cars pass by on the bridge and enjoying the brief moment of bliss.
Before making the return trip, we stopped by the Point Lobos park for a brief trek. Still by the ocean, but the rocky cliff and beaches give the park some more edginess.
I've always proud to be a city girl all my life, living in million people cities and concrete jungles. But at this moment, it was so liberating standing in such an open space.
On our trek, there were very few people there, but I was happy to know that we are all here quietly reflecting, enjoying the view and capturing the beauty through painting.
PC: Midori Wada
Facing the Pacific Ocean with a rocky landscape withstood years of natural shaping behind me, I breathed in a natural beauty I've never seen before.
Officially on our way back, we stopped by the beach at Carmel for the last sunset on this trip. Walking through a strip of art and antique shops, at the end of the street, the beach welcomes us with people's laughter and a setting sun. Compelled as we were by the atmosphere, sat down vicariously on the sandy beach, feeling this precious moment and being grateful I have a friend to share this with and now everyone that came across this post. This was the perfect closure to a soul recharging trip.
Throughout PCH, we were often out of cell reception. It was relaxing to be out of contact and clear of noise. Moreover, the PCH is a 2-Lane high way, which means it's highly prone to traffic congestion. Too often with the technology and power we have today, we try to manually alter everything to get the result we want. I'm all for achieving better outcome for sure, but at times we all should sit back and let things take their courses.