I am still going through my Big Sur images and came across this one. It was from the very beginning of my trip into Big Sur country. It was at this moment this exact moment I felt a sense of awe and inspiration. The clouds floating by were only a 100 or 200 feet above me. You wanted to jump up and grab them. When I saw this view I pulled over almost to a screeching halt (don’t tell Dollar-Rent-A-Car).

Now the trip to this point was perfect. My plane landed on time and my rent a car worked as expected. I even had a chance to spend a few days with friends in Venice Beach when I first arrived. My hosts totally spoiled me with home cooked meals and intoxicating exotic concoctions made with fresh herbs from their garden. As most people living in the steamy broiling concrete jungle we reside in during summer would agree this was a welcome reprieve. Even with this and the chance to sleep with the windows open (man, I miss that) I couldn’t wait to begin my trip up north. I left Venice Beach a full day earlier than planned.

As I stood on the side of the road with this amazing view and the cool ocean breeze it felt amazing. Seeing the foot hills of Big Sur as I’ll call them off in the distance I became truly inspired and still. There was no traffic, no noise, no sirens like I’m listening too as I write this or air conditioners humming away in the background. I was experiencing a peaceful moment that instantly alleviated my concerns about this trip and the maps I had laid out all over the passenger seat. I’d never been to this part of California before I’d heard of it sure but I’d never been there. The picture above immediately dissolved any fear I had of invested my time and energy into false hopes of a great road trip. Taking a long deep breathe I got back into the car completely inspired for what lay ahead of me. I pulled back onto the road heading directly up into the mountains of Big Sur quietly listening and watching.