There is a wonderful op-ed in the LA Times that Nadine Clark sent me last night. It is written by a Pulitzer prize winning author. She asks the question — Do humans really need access to every place on earth? She asks this after we lost 150’ of highway into the ocean. She uses Heath Johnston’s now famous photograph to headline this op-ed piece. It is short, but a fine piece of writing.
“Sometimes I wonder if people even belong in the world’s most fragile and beautiful places. The other day, my cousin, who lives in St. Louis, told me we should leave California — that I should be wary of the fires, the earthquakes, the mudslides. He told me that living in the state is becoming too risky because of overpopulation and climate change. And then I went out and looked at the glen above our house, at the deer trotting through, pausing to glance at me, at the ground squirrels, the sparrows, and the hawks floating on the breeze.
Why don’t I leave? What am I waiting for? Well, the daffodils that are blooming and the lupine soon to come. I have never lived anywhere like this.”
She lives on the Monterey Peninsula, I would guess from her writing. You can find the rest of her op-ed piece here: https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2021-02-07/pacific-coast-highway-california
Date:Thursday, April 30, 2026District:05 – Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito, and Santa…
You can find more of her photographs here: https://dellahuff.smugmug.com/Big-Sur
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It's a thought-crime to wonder whether people should lose their Highway 1
I think about this a lot, Kate. Beautifully written. I cried my way through it.
A thoughtful piece containing many sentiments that I also hold. Yet it's flowery description of the area and the sense of adventure it lends to driving Highway 1 seems to serve as at least as much of an enticement, an invitation, as it is a caution.
A good, poetic-like read (except trees don't usually lean into the wind).
The truth is, articles- even this one- will encourage more visitors to see Big Sur for themselves.
Maybe not what Jane intended, but she probably got a small stipend.
(I get pessimistic sometimes.)
Poetic license
Big Sur - Hwy 1 - A slice of Heaven on Earth! Maybe God is trying to tell us that we are ruining Heaven!
Amazed on a daily basis the push of tourism to Big Sur. It’s small and remote. Its beautiful but won’t be pristine for long. I know tourism is important to their survival but when you have tens of thousands of tourists that will do anything to get there pooping on the roadside enough is enough. BBQs at any turn out that will fit a car. Ruination is how I describe it.
Thank you goddess mother Nature.Big Sur needs a break from everyone who does not respects her. Sometimes it makes life a little harder but in the same breath life slows down and you can breath again..
Here's a link for those that are not subscribed to LA Times. https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/humans-really-access-every-place-110054271.html
I am reminded, of the use of wild animals for the use of Circus's. The Circus industry claims, that they use the 'Wild' animals for the purpose of enlightening the public, to the value of these wild animal's, whilst it is truly killing more of them than we know, & if not physically, certainly killing &/or diminishing their Spirit's, & natural way of living in Nature. We know, that we have for way too long, put the satisfaction of our selve's first, before the precious animal's, & before Mother Nature.
I do understand astrologically, that we are in a time of great transition, where our way's of operandi will be changing, & greatly, as the collective consciousness only grows.
And, Thank Goodness!
😇
I too thought it was very well written when I first read it, and I still do. But I also have to agree with Wally'N'Cats. Thank you for being pessimistic and pointing this out to all of us folks in Big Sur!! Poetic License?