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Big Sur, Nepenthe, and Other Things
A description of Big Sur and it's place in the world
Big Sur. A place of great beauty and drama. A Wonder of the World, an international treasure taken for granted stands waiting mindless of humanity. The sheer cliffs that drop a thousand feet or more to the violent sea thrashing and pounding at the granite below. The dichotomy of danger and great beauty can only be watched from a distance, less one be swallowed up and taken by the forces of nature. Those experiences changed the core of who I was and gave me the gifts of wonder, dreams, and endless possibilities. A long time ago, but yet it has stayed with me, a part of who I am. The grounding I have when I am there is like no other place on earth. Now older, with the inability to scramble on the rocks and hike the distances I used to be able to easily walk, I treasure the time I had, and look forward to the next visit, hopefully soon, to feel at one with that universe. I can still make it to Nepenthe, stay the night at Deetjens, and drive down Sycamore Canyon Road to Pheiffer Beach. That I can do those things renews my dreams and endless possibilities all over again. We need to make sure that this place survives through the future, without development and further commercialization to encroach this wondrous beauty. It is the immortal gem of our country.
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http://www.onlymoments.wordpress.com
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Nick's point about development and commercialization should be well taken. Anyone who has been on the "Great Ocean Road" near Melbourne, Australia may understand the contrast. While there are some indeed spectacular vistas, they seem to take an almost "Disneyesque" approach of "spoonfeeding" tourists these named vista points. On the other hand, Big Sur and the Sonoma coast as well allow travelers to discover the sites for themselves.
Good grief! You think Nepenthe is so mystical? They charge $13 for a burger! It's upscale yuppie food. Sure, it's pretty, but don't you think the prices are a little on the high side?
Also, please don't take the cliffs for granite. They're actually sandstone. Sure, the Sierras are granite, but not the cliffs on the coast.
Also, please don't take the cliffs for granite. They're actually sandstone. Sure, the Sierras are granite, but not the cliffs on the coast.
Brontosaurus in the living room:
Sad to say, but Big Sur (like the rest of the biosphere) is doomed if human population growth is not (compassionately but without further delay) reversed to a much smaller sustainable size.
No, I'm not excusing indivudual overconsumption.
Nevertheless, overbreeding IS overconsuming.
Sad to say, but Big Sur (like the rest of the biosphere) is doomed if human population growth is not (compassionately but without further delay) reversed to a much smaller sustainable size.
No, I'm not excusing indivudual overconsumption.
Nevertheless, overbreeding IS overconsuming.
My quote:
The sheer cliffs that drop a thousand feet or more to the violent sea thrashing and pounding at the granite below.
I never said the cliff's were made of granite and I have scrambled on many granite rocks, as well as aggregates below on the beaches. A $12 burger is a choice -not a prerequisite to walk through Nepenthe and my call is for conservation of the beauty of that area. Over population is an issue that has different opinions. Worldwide it is a big problem but we here in the US have not given birth to enough children to replace ourselves. Immigration on the other hand is up and that is another issue entirely. Yes, I think the smaller the population the less stress on Mother Earth, but all species eventually become extinct and we are no better than any other species. Time will heal whatever we have put asunder and destroyed, in the many incomprehensible years to inevitably come. In spite of this existential thought, we need to conserve the unique beauty of this and many other wonders of nature in our country before the bulldozer do their deeds.
The sheer cliffs that drop a thousand feet or more to the violent sea thrashing and pounding at the granite below.
I never said the cliff's were made of granite and I have scrambled on many granite rocks, as well as aggregates below on the beaches. A $12 burger is a choice -not a prerequisite to walk through Nepenthe and my call is for conservation of the beauty of that area. Over population is an issue that has different opinions. Worldwide it is a big problem but we here in the US have not given birth to enough children to replace ourselves. Immigration on the other hand is up and that is another issue entirely. Yes, I think the smaller the population the less stress on Mother Earth, but all species eventually become extinct and we are no better than any other species. Time will heal whatever we have put asunder and destroyed, in the many incomprehensible years to inevitably come. In spite of this existential thought, we need to conserve the unique beauty of this and many other wonders of nature in our country before the bulldozer do their deeds.
For more information:
http://www.onlymomentsbook.com
The book would seem to have some interest, but why do "we" (US America) need to "replace ourselves?" I just read some horrific image that all the population of China, standing 8? 20? abreast, would not pass by a person standing in one spot in one lifetime -- something like that.
It's one world. Americans aren't superior. To the degree the "less-developed" world is actually so (meaning true quality of life, not just idiotic consumerism of junk), it's largely because of the corporate policies and the governments that support them in the US and a few other countries.
Anyway, is this mostly to sell the book, or is Big Sur in some immediate danger of some new hairbrained policy?
Thanks for the beautiful pictures.
It's one world. Americans aren't superior. To the degree the "less-developed" world is actually so (meaning true quality of life, not just idiotic consumerism of junk), it's largely because of the corporate policies and the governments that support them in the US and a few other countries.
Anyway, is this mostly to sell the book, or is Big Sur in some immediate danger of some new hairbrained policy?
Thanks for the beautiful pictures.
That fragile environment is alway in danger of being lost as population growth creeps in. I don't really care if we replace ourselves or not, it just is a fact that trimming the population will not conserve our natural resources such as this (it was in reponse to another thread). I have no children and I am perfectly happy but the purpose of the article was to bring attention to an area that like Yosemite and other National Parks, is a victim of overcrowding and abuse, BUT, unlike Yosemite and other National Parks it is wide open for development as it is not protected as those parks are. Whether this is something anyone thinks it is important, I can only try to convince and influence their thoughts that it is indeed worthy. The book is where my main website is and the blog that I write is on that page as well. None of this is not a an ad to buy the book but if anyone does read the book it calls attention to that area and it's timeless beauty and is relevent as to what I have written. That is the only connection. Big Sur has played an important part of the influential time in my life and it is my turn to give it back it's due.
For more information:
http://www.onlymomentsbook.com
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