January was so warm and clear and beautiful that it had lulled me into a false sense of security. It was as if winter would slip right past this mountain without leaving so much as a ripple to show its passing. I got complacent about winter preparations and how hard winter up here can be, mentally, as well as physically. I basked in the early, false spring along with my plants. It was better than summer, or even spring in some respects, as the bugs had not been given the signal to begin their season, and so, I had the outdoors to myself.
Then came February. Some of the storms were brutal, here, and elsewhere in California, but Big Sur danced through and around these storms with her cloak of passion swirling in the shouting winds. Her adornments went from early bloomings to mountains turned a winter white. We responded with the child-like wonder, we children of the Sur. We hunkered in and drifted in and out of hybernation. We took time for ourselves.
Now it is March, and Spring arrives in two weeks. I am so ready, but I recognize that spring can bring more storms … more snow … more mudslides. And so, I try not to get my hopes up, yet. It is still early.
I don’t buy my tomato starts until May.
BTW, the view from Lucia of my mountain top taken about 5 pm this afternoon. I am the one in the clouds!
I love your blog as I’m trapped in Chicago and dream of big sur every day. I make it 6 or so times a year but live there all the time thru your experiences, keep them coming!
THANK YOU!
Your blog has me proud and honored to be living in Big Sur with all you other “Children of the Sur.” I cannot imagine what it is like up on your land in a storm, it seems like a lot for me down here when the storms get heavy. As I look out from the office at Riverside Campground, my eyes look onto the most beautiful jade green of the river with a male and female murganzier (sp?) duck duo playing in the white rapids of their river. Spring is on the way Kate. Hope you are well with your thoughts and love of your mom.
“The greatest meeting of land and water in the world”…and the storms that that produce give pause to the daily life, and leave us in wonder at our “littleness”. That is one of the great gifts of time spent in Big Sur, and I miss it so.
Beautifully stated, Kate. I want spring but know how hot it can get, so I wait and try not to complain. We had snow again last Saturday. Big huge fluffs and then gone. The rains and storms have started, also. It is as though there is no line between the seasons this year. Beautiful view of your mountaintop!
And at the beach…. JADE!
I love your blog and visit it daily. I am new to the Big Sur area and live in Big Sur Station, MAF with my CalTrans hubby. I love it here and am very blessed to be part of this community and I love your blog Kate.