It took me 25 years to set out on the great California road trip but take it I finally did. Throughout the the trip every turn revealed a new breathtaking vista; I think I stopped at nearly every mile marker to take in something amazing. The last quarter century has been one great California adventure after another for me. What was supposed to be a short stint for an education became a lifelong love affair and a new home. As I carved my way along this spectacular coastline I couldn’t help but consider what it must have been like here before the fields were plowed, the roads built and the bridges constructed.
It wasn’t until 15,000 or so years ago that the first of our kin ventured across the Bering Land Bridge, now the Bering Strait, and into the North American continent. Over the next few thousand years they moved south, some eventually settling in what would become California. Though the scene was a bit different 12,000 years ago, someone from our distant past was the very first human being in history to breathe in this vista. I wonder what he or she thought. I wonder if that first witness, without lowering his eyes, told his family to come and share in the beauty before him. I wonder if the seemingly insurmountable challenges before them and his fears for the future faded for just a few moments as he stood on this bluff, looked out over this great spectacle and let the California sun warm his soul.
31 Comments
A dreamy landscape that looks to be full of exploration.
I see you caught a day with sunshine… good for you! I’ve been sitting here on this beautiful CA coastline with socked-in-fog for days now. But….. wouldn’t leave it for anything.
I too have often wondered what the first glimpse of this magical place was like. Perhaps it is what you and I have experienced… a feeling of awe at such beauty. I have watched this open space be built upon and wondered in heartache, do they not see it too???!
Thank you for this beautiful image … for reminding us that vistas such as this one can bring a peace of mind unmatched by anything else.
What a great image. My eyes first went to the clouds that are tickling the mountains on the left. But soon, my gaze noticed the lone cow in the foreground. Yes, California is a beautiful place.
I have a central coast trip in my relatively near future and I am *delighted* to feast my eyes on something similar to this very soon. Beautiful.
Wow. The color reminds me of a 1950′s postcard (in a good way). Great work
Nice photo
wow. you’ve managed to capture quite a scene here. i love the one cow standing there oblivious to all the beauty surrounding it, but just content. magnificent image.
Fantastic Scenery
What a pure beauty, one wanna stop & admire for hours, peacefully. I took the 101 with my best friend from his L.A. town to Frisco via Carmel & all, and it remains as one of my best souvenir, with those wild waves & long roads, thanks for reminding me such positive things & love your POV that embraces here the whole vista. Have a great week-end, dear.
Excellent photo! bravo!
Christopher .. wow, wow, wow .. what a beautyfull landscape. I envy you.
And THIS is why I love California. Beautiful.
Nice composition !
Wow. Beautiful image of the coastline. I can see why you love CA.
Lovely Image… Wow,,, The View is Very Very Good,,,, Great Shoot Christopher,,,
What a stunning image!! And – I too – often wonder what it was once like….before ‘we’ came in and changed it! Sounds like a wonderful trip and adventure!!!
Excellent photo! Christopher.
nice day to you
I fell in love with this setting as well, many years ago when I lived near Victorville, and made road trips up Highway 1. Just amazing sights to see for an Ohio boy used to flat cornfields and industrial cities. I love this view, the use of the cow to set the scale, and the atomosphere of the fog. And I like trying to imagine what early man thought of this jaw dropping scenery. Wonderful post Christopher!
Great wondering while you wander! This is a beautiful photograph, Chris. Absolutely stunning and one of your best.
Wow! What a beautiful place to drive… i would have stopped at every available curve too
This is just like the great ocean road in melbourne… the sights are to die for 
glad you have a great road trip on the road Chris. You should do this more often
A magnificent photograph of the California coastline. The mist on the distant sea adds a touch of mystery and the cow although insignificant plays a huge part in adding scale to the shot.
The California coast (the north in particular) really is spectacular. Such a beautiful shot…happy to hear your trip road is/was a beautiful adventure.
Great shot…Love the cow
This is Big Sur i guess, one of the most beautiful coastline i’ve ever seen (it was on last september, nearluyon year…). Beautiful shot, ful of memories. See you Christopher !
Very beautiful landscape !
love the muted colors
when I opened the page I was speechless, a photo with a magicla atmosphere peaceful, but at the same time powerful in its content; wind, light, water, all these elements mixed together ina a magnificent way, compliments my friend you show me a masterpiece
lovely!
What a beautiful landscape!
Have a nice day.
Nice landscape! Love the low clouds in the distance. Just the right amount of foreground to really give a sense of depth.
Très très belle composition. Un paysage effectivement exceptionnel… Je sorts de mon mutisme (vacances) pour revenir à mon hobby préféré… A bientôt, Christopher.