There's a line from an old Eagles song, The Last Resort, "if you call someplace paradise, kiss it goodbye..." and in Big Sur, we know what paradise must be like. Over-visitation is a problem in many state and national parks, as bucket list destinations have gained exposure on social media. Nature is often more delicate than we think, and although you may not believe that your actions make much of a difference individually, collectively what we do really adds up.
Doing small things like bringing our own reusable containers for water and snacks, picking up trash if we see it, and so on, will make Big Sur more beautiful than when we arrived.
It's up to each of us to honor those who were here before us, and who'll be here when we're gone. Thank you for showing Big Sur love.
I pledge to:
Share our coastal roads in a safe manner.
Be mindful of the impact of my actions.
Protect and respect Big Sur’s natural resources, public and private property,
residents, employees, and visitors.
Leave no trace; and not damage or take what is not mine.
Camp only where allowed.
Be vigilant and fire safe.
Be a steward of this precious resource for the enjoyment of all.
Honor the spirit of Big Sur as it honors me.
Pack out all that you bring in, leave only footprints. Leave places pristine.
Take photos that are thoughtfully and kindly acquired.
Big Sur's old growth redwood trees are some of the rarest beings on earth. Get inspired, then act! Each and every one of us can plant the seeds for a better tomorrow...
Chinese Proverb
I descended a dusty gravel ridge
Beneath the Bixby Canyon Bridge
Until I eventually arrived
At the place where your soul had died
Barefoot in the shallow creek,
I grabbed some stones from underneath
And waited for you to speak to me
And the silence; it became so very clear
That you had long ago disappeared
I cursed myself for being surprised
That this didn't play like it did in my mind
All the way from San Francisco
As I chased the end of your road
Cause I've still got miles to go
And I want to know my fate
If I keep up this way
And it's hard to want to stay awake
When everyone you need, they all seem to be asleep
And you wonder if you missed your dream
You can't see a dream
You can't see a dream
You just can't see a dream
And then it started getting dark
I trudged back to where the car was parked
No closer to any kind of truth
As I must assume was the case with you
Behind the wheel against the road next to you
The central coast
The central thought within my mind
Is how to stay within these lines
But still be free
Beneath the ground, the giants sleep
And maybe we're just in their dreams
The setting sun with every turn
Above the ground the oak trees burn
And then we foray
And for this endless conversation
Instigated by the stars
A pocket knife, an old guitar
A coffee cup, a deck of cards
Quote it, quote it, dashboard feet
The flashlight, children by the stream
A box of books, a book of rocks
One for the birds, one for the knots
That I will learn how to tie
Around this day to keep my life
From slidin' away
From this endless conversation
Instigated by the stars
A little wood to keep it burning
Fascinated by it all
The first to wake will stoke the coals
The early morning river rose
The last one in, the swing will break
Stones will stack, the kids will make
Those lines
Rocks are boxing by the creek
Again, the lines begin to speak
Words are broken
Smoke signals that will lead us into the light
Into it all
And always
Always endless conversation
Implicated by the stars
A little wood to keep it burning
Fascinated by it all
And always
So much for the city
Tell me that you'll dance to the end
Just tell me that you'll dance to the end
Hey, hey you're the Monkees
And people said you monkeyed around
But nobody's listening up
Just don't go back to Big Sur
Hangin' around, lettin' your old man down
Just don't go back to Big Sur
Baby, baby, please don't go
Ah, baby, baby, please don't go
So much for the street lights
They're never gonna guide you home
No they're never gonna guide you home
Down at the steam boat show, yeah
All the kids start spittin'
I guess it didn't live up to the billing
Just don't go back to Big Sur
Hangin' around, lettin' your old man down
Just don't go back to Big Sur
Baby baby please don't go
Ah, baby, baby, please don't go
Doo doo doo doo doo doo
Just don't go back to Big Sur
Hangin' around, lettin' your old man down
Just don't go back to Big Sur
Ah, baby, baby, please don't go
Ah, baby, baby, please don't go
Highway One
Crystalline-haunted sun
With the Pacific masculine crash
My little one
Enthralled by the redwoods
As I write amongst monarchs and mist
Me and Anaïs and Henry and Jack Kerouac
Me and the Ohlone, the Esselen, the Salinan
Me and Julia, Helmuth and Brautigan
All roads lead to Big Sur
All roads home to Big Sur
Clear celestial and frogs
Fritz in cabins of logs
Amongst the springs we are barefoot and warmed
Me and Anaïs and Henry and Jack Kerouac
Me and the Ohlone, the Esselen, the Salinan
Me and Julia, Helmuth and Brautigan
All roads lead to Big Sur
All roads home to Big Sur
I am climbing on the Bluff
Beseeching god to answer us
Not much distracts from our shamanic creek breakfast
This watery heartbeat by the forest
Me and Anaïs and Henry and Jack Kerouac
Me and the Ohlone, the Esselen, the Salinan
Me and Julia, Helmuth and Brautigan
All roads lead to Big Sur
All roads home to Big Sur
Me and Mickey and a path high on the Molera
Me and Lolly and Bill watching a red-tailed hawk
Me and the posts take it all in through the big Ventana
All roads lead to Big Sur
All roads home to Big Sur
This place will always hold a special place in your heart once you've visited. For us, it's hard to put into words or even a website, but we love all of Big Sur's many moods, past and present. Use the hashtags:
#BIGSURVEGAN & #BIGSURLOVE
Share your thoughts, ideas and images to help us plant seeds of veganism in Big Sur and beyond...
#BigSurVegan
Copyright © 2023 Big Sur Vegan - All Rights Reserved. Photo Credits: AEG Unless Noted
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