BIG SUR

California Central Coast, July 13, 2011: The most scenic drive in the United States, if not the world, is California Highway 1 between Carmel and San Carpoforo Creek. The highway was constructed between 1919 and 1937. In the summer of 1938, Edna drove her mother, father and two sisters down Big Sur. The road clings to the cliff as it winds its way along, and above, the Pacific Ocean. It's like the Amalfi Drive on steroids, though much less populated.

Edna (left) views the harbor seals (below):






























The Rock Creek Bridge (1932) is almost hidden in the center of the view on the left (open photo in another tab or window).










The Bixby Bridge (1932) is among the most photographed structures on the planet. It was the linchpin for opening Big Sur to the motoring public.
Monterey Indian paintbrush (left); bull thistle (right):













Point Sur Lighthouse (1889) (right) sits on Point Sur (left) which is tied to the mainland by a tombolo:






















Big Sur is remote and sparsely populated, but the views must be terrific!

Bill was enjoying the view when, all of a sudden, a huge bird was flying right below him. It was a California condor, one of only 181 known to be in the wild!













The double-arched Big Creek Bridge:













At some point going south, the mountains and the sea become separated by foothills; then the foothills and the sea become separated by a coastal plain; and Big Sur is left behind.