Part of the Big Sur coast.This morning Mark & I woke up to the sound of raindrops and wondered if our trip south to Big Sur and The Henry Miller Library would be worth it. What an adventure! And completely worthwhile it was...now I truly feel as though we are on holiday.
We set out in the pelting rain, and in Mark's words: "It was bucketing down - interesting drive along the coast when you can't see a foot in front of you, you're driving on the wrong side of the road, & the drop to the right is a few hundred feet." I was just glad that I was not at the wheel...
The Henry Miller Library.In the cloud and torrential rain the view really looked no different to the Sydney coastline. But upon arriving at the library we were welcomed by the sight of a little wooden lodge? cabin? and once we were safely inside we were surrounded by books, posters, memorabilia, a few guys on macs happily typing away on the free wi-fi. Everything was sort of cosy and interesting - not to mention meeting a very friendly pussycat who was hopping from lap to lap saying hello!
Inside The Henry Miller Library.Fortified, we stepped back out to the car and on to the famous Big Sur Bakery for lunch. I gasped appreciatively at the sight of a real coffee machine, and we feasted on turkey noodle soup and peach pastries. This was the closest I have eaten to Sydney food and I say that in an entirely complimentary way, especially after trying Dennys for the first time yesterday! After finishing lunch, the sun came out, and we thoroughly enjoyed our drive back to Monterey, this part of the world is gorgeous in a pretty special way!
So, what's so special about Big Sur? I can't exactly say. There is very little information available on what it is exactly, but it is basically one road that runs between the forest and the ocean for about 30 miles? - and it offers the best of both worlds. There are a handful of very expensive resorts but other than that there are a few campgrounds and not very much in the way of tourist attractions. Which leads me to the very reason that people go - to experience the natural environment in the first person, I guess! I really hope one day Mark and I can return and hike around, and without sounding too trite, to simply enjoy nature, and maybe enjoy one of the famous concerts held on the grass outside The Henry Miller Library, such as those given recently buy The Arcade Fire and Thurston Moore!
Schoolhouse at Big Sur.