Everyday is a winding road
Highway 1 is well-known for its scenic views of the Pacific’s unique shoreline. It is also well-known for being very winding. It is just that.
I started up “The 1” early Friday morning with nobody on the road but me – and it’s a good thing since I am not a great driver on winding roads. They freak me out!
The scenic views did not disappoint. The shoreline leading up to the Big Sur/Carmel/Monterey area is not all sandy beach, it is mainly rugged rock outcroppings. Where a sandy beach has its own beauty, this shoreline is totally different and is breathtaking.
After a half hour of slow and careful puttsing, local traffic started to catch up with me. I have always thought California drivers to be crazy but this confirmed it – they’re maniacs! My driving became a little more nervous. I was constantly pulling off the side of the road to let others pass. It may have saved a life – mine.
I persevered and made it through without a scratch – barely.
Big Sur was my destination and I was ready for something special. The problem was, I didn’t see anything special! The special was hidden from view. Driving through, all I saw were a couple of Inns and restaurants, a gift shop, a post office, and a gas station or two that was charging $4.69/gal. I did pass the Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park but I wasn’t looking to do a forest trail run, I wanted some shoreline views. So, I moved on to the next town – Carmel-by-the-Sea. Could I have made a mistake?
I knew that Carmel had a beach. On Saturday mornings, the local running club (the Wednesday Night Laundry Runners) has a long run that starts at Carmel Beach. The beach was the first thing that I came across. I found my spot.
I started out and had a strange feeling of going nowhere slowly. The beach here is different than what I knew a beach to be. It was more pebbly, so with each step, the beach would kind of role underneath my feet. Regular sand, when it is wet, will support a footplant and toe-off. With this stuff, you just slide.
But I wasn’t going to give up so soon. The beach came to a halt (with a large outcropping of rock)after about a halfmile. Leading off the beach were some steps that lead to a cinder trail. This trail went past some rather nice beach houses but only went for another halfmile. I was getting a little discouraged.
When asked, a local told me that the trail doesn’t start up again anywhere else. So, I just decided to hit the streets. So, I confused my own feet.
Scenic Road is what I took and was pleasantly surprised! It followed the shoreline and linked up with a dirt path that also ran along the shoreline. All along the way, million dollar homes to the right of me and down the road a little ways, million dollar homes to the left. It seems that the choice of car in Carmel is Mercedes – followed close behind by BMW and Jaguar. I counted eight straight driveways that had a Mercedes. Many had a mix of all three. I ended up doing an out and back run in the cool 65 degree temperature – out 30 minutes and back in 20. Along the way I had awesome views of the ocean, saw many unique homes, and passed MANY runners and walkers and yoga, umm, people?
People who run are runners. Those who walk are walkers. So, what are those who do yoga called?
Anyway, Carmel is an extremely clean town and seems to be very fitness-minded, young and old. That could be because of the great running club in the area. If you want to know more about what they are about and the good things they do for young runners, check out their website at www.wnlr.org
Overall, it was a good run! It was relaxing and I didn’t have to worry too much with cars, with the route I took, anyway. I may have missed out on hidden gems within Big Sur but I now know what Carmel is like. For that reason alone, I am okay with my decision.
That does it for Carmel and California! I am headed north to Track Town, U.S.A. – Eugene, OR. It is going to be a two day stop and should be incredible!
Peace
Notes from the road:
1) The heat while driving through western Arizona into California was oppressive! I hung my arm out the window and it felt like I was being blown with a huge hairdryer set on extremely high! Well, I haven’t used a hairdryer in a while but you get my meaning.
2) Around the Arizona/California border, I came to what looked like a toll station. It was, instead, a check point. What were they checking for? Here’s how the conversation went. “Sir, are you transporting any fruits?” “Ummm, no.” “Are you transporting any plants?” “Ummm, no.” “Are you transporting any pets or animals?” “Nope.” “Have a nice day.” I left bewildered.
Road song of the day: “Hello, I’m In Delaware” by City and Colour