Got any suggestions regarding Big Sur?

I mean, I can't imagine it's bustling with nightlife or anything like that, but is there anything particularly interesting to hike or see that you'd recommend?

Don't ask me why, but I'm betting you know your way around that place.

Well... it's probably because I am actually old enough to have been to Big Sur during the beatnik/hippie highpoints...

Big Sur, truly, is the most beautiful place on earth to me, if you get it on in good weather. I hike in it about 15 times a year... my favorite hikes in California. Best short hike in the US at Garapata... up a redwood draw, with streams and cactus and Zen-like topography, and then up to Rocky Ridge with a view up and down the coast.

Longer hike back from Big Sur proper (the state park) to Sikes Hot Springs... about 15 miles back from the road... where there are pools of hot mineral water in rock pools next to the river... lots of naked college kids and drugs...

Andrew Molera State Park another great relatively short hike-loop (8 miles?) with spectacular views of the coast.

Big Sur River Inn has little cabins, and a nice bar, and will put chairs right in the middle of the Big Sur River and serve drinks as you listen to primo cool jazz or drum circles... lots of locals selling 'shrooms and truly lovely young women with loose peasant blouses and morals.

Nepenthe is the restaurant with a great view... thousand feet up above the crashing waves... again, with the 19 year old beatnik girls who will be open minded about your intentions... or simply serve you great wine as the Basho peaceful atmosphere makes you suddenly get why Henry Miller knew what he was talking about (his "library" is an interesting stop several miles south... and has readings of international authors and concerts of bands you know)...

Five Star Michelin Guide dining at both Ventana Inn and Post Inn.... the last has rooms hanging in rocks on the cliffs with sod roofs.... but go for $400-600 a night... Ventana especially has world-class food...

A little south is the Esalen retreat where there are hot springs, also hanging right on the cliffs about the ocean, and naked people walking around, it was the launching pad for Fritz Perl and the whole human potential movement, and the echoes of Huxley, Bucky Fuller, Maslow, Tillich on and on... lots of people getting in touch with their inner demons and peace and getting massages and laid.

Julia Burns Pfeiffer State Park, further south, has a waterfall spilling out, fifty feet above a perfect little beach... unique and worth a stop.

In addition to the naked young things fucking and taking drugs... there are a couple truly spriitual places... both of which you will let you stay overnight or longer.... the Tassajara Zen Center... back in the Ventana Wilderness... very, very peaceful... and the Carmoldi Hermitage... a revived medieval order of contemplative monks living high on a ridge above the ocean. If you stay there don't go in the back where you'll see some of the holy silent brothers smoking Camels.

Big Sur has everything one needs to find all you know, and all you need to know.





Well... you asked...

Damn. Sounds great, awesome pics too. Well Harry, i'm almost afraid to ask, but...

What should I do and see now that I live in Austin?

Jesus Christ. Now I want to burn that whole place to the fucking ground.

I wanna go hiking now. But, with clothes on.

i'm definitely into naked young things fucking and taking drugs.

Harry = Gay Jack McCoy with quaaludes.

And that's not a criticism.

Go to Henry Miller's house.

Also - if you think you are going to camp, it's probably A) already booked and B) I hope you speak Spanish.


But I agree with Harry that it might be the most beautiful place I have ever been.

Wow Harry, well-played sir. Makes me wanna go.

Cut-rate Radcliffe.

Or said another way:

White collared conservative flashin' down the street,
Pointin' a plastic finger at me.
They're hopin' soon my kind will drop and die,
But I'm 'onna wave my freak flag high, high.
Wave on, wave on...
Fall mountains, just don't fall on me
Go ahead on, Mr. Business man —
you can't dress like me.
Don't nobody know what I'm talkin about...
I got my own life to live
'n' I'm the one that's got to die when it's time for me to die
So let me live my life
the way I want to...

See if you can dig up some information on a Confederate General from there who may have been a relative of mine, will you?

Did I ever tell you about the time I was at Vesuvio's in North Beach in 1976 when Brautigan was throwing up in the head...

What's the Fun in that?

Big Sur, it is a wonder. I spent a weekend up at Sea Ranch a number of years ago, too. Pretty coast line up in the North areas as well, Mendocino, Gualala, Pine Ridge. There was a great Swiss chef in a little restaurant in Gualala, Renee Fueg I believe was his name. We miss California in so many ways.

Cuz my fat ass would probably get poison ivy all over it! Now, fuckin' in the woods is a different matter altogether...and, I must admit, takin' shrooms in the forest is rather nice.

I can imagine he was lyrical even in the act of puking.

i'm from the city.
forests are for raping.

awesome, thanks Harry.

I'm going for 2-3 days in early June, so there's a strong possibility of good weather. This mostly stems from the Smithsonian magazine article (I am one of the 7 subscribers under 65), which was gorgeous, and I noticed a Wooden Shjips poster in the picture of the Henry Miller library, which I thought was interesting.

not camping, but plan on doing a lot of clothed hiking. I'm actually looking forward to the drive there (and visiting Hearst Castle) as much as anything.

I will not be attending any drum circles, and will be shocked if I'm not mistaken for an undercover cop if I tried to buy mushrooms, but I'm still excited to have a great weekend.

anyway, I really appreciate the suggestions.

and I will try to poop in the woods.

Animal Collective at Henry Miller today. Tomorrow night this:


Thu May 28
DUBLAB and FOLKYEAH present
TONALISM: An all night ambient music happening

Tel. 831.667.2574
Website $25
Box Office: 831.667.2574

Location Date and Time
Henry Miller Library
Highway One
Big Sur, CA 93920
district: Big Sur

Thu May 28 (4:20pm to 5am)

Description
ON THE REDWOODS STAGE:

Live Performances by:
White Rainbow
Windy and Carl (Kranky)
Pharaohs (members of Languis and Big Swell)
Matt Baldwin
Lyonnais

DJ Sets by:
Obrian System (very special guest)
frosty (dublab)
Jimmy Tamborello (Dntel, Postal Service, dublab)
Part TIme Punks DJ Michael Stock
Andy Cabic (Vetiver)
Katie Byron (dublab)
Nanny Cantaloupe (dublab)
Turquoise Wisdom (dublab, Small Town Talk)
matthewdavid (dublab, Leaving Tapes)

Visuals by:
Matt Amato (The Masses)

ON THE CANYON STAGE:

Performances Curated by Carlos Niño for dublab:

Mia Doi Todd (L.A.)
Carlos Niño & Jesse Peterson (L.A., N.Y.)
The Nick Rosen/Brian Green Duo (L.A.)
The dublab Drone-Dreamers
DJ Cool Chris of Groove Merchant (S.F.)
and Special Guests

Set Design by:
Katie Byron

Complimentary tea will be served throughout the night.
Bring pillows, blankets, beanbags, sleeping bags, cushions, lay down and listen.
There will be a fire pit and heat lamps but make sure to bring warm clothes because it can get cold at night.

Double post, sorry.

JESUS.

I have this image of a 30 years younger harry attending this in nothing but a sarong and flying on mushrooms.

Either that or going completely buck naked in the depths of an ether binge.

More likely ayahuasca and muslin pants.
http://www.yacupuma.com/Project/Public/Music/ayahuasca_cuyari.mp3