The American Road Trip

For more California pictures Click Here

The one thing I’ve noticed living in this cold climate is during the winter I drive with a purpose while during the summer I drive for enjoyment. I can’t remember the last time in the throws of this frigid weather I said to myself – let’s go for a drive. So when the opportunity arose for me to travel down one of the most beautiful roadways in North America – I had to jump at the chance.

Highway One on the California coast is a road like no other. Not since I traveled the narrow roadways of Northern Italy have I felt the exuberance of drive like this. My vehicle a 1968 Corvette 427 Convertible was primed and ready for what I was told is a challenging yet enjoyable excursion. My starting point was Monterey a small city with heritage and some of the oldest buildings in the state. I was met with pounding surf – waves that thundered and the smell of salt air.

Construction of Highway One began in 1919 and was completed in 1937 at a cost of ten million dollars. With jagged cliffs and the thunderous surf below this drive may not be for the faint at heart. The fear of losing your brakes and plunging over into the ocean is one thing – but the danger here is really the occasional rock slide that covers your path. In 1983 the road was closed for almost a year due to a severe landslide that cost millions of dollars to repair. Fear aside the twisty-turn jaunt took effort and precision – at least until we hit the “American Road block” I call it this since it was a vehicle that was driven by what I would call a rookie. Visibly slower than traffic – and with many cars patiently following like ducklings this person could of easily increased a drivers stress level. Maybe it was the relaxing sound of the ocean – and the peace in the breeze that kept all drivers with a level head. Trying to pass was a suicide mission – best to hope for was that this van would pull over to catch the view at one of many areas where it could be done with ease.

Driving this highway takes you away from the regular roadways where he signs of life are everywhere. The lack of commercial signage is a welcome relief and your eyes focus on the unsurpassed beauty of this unique area. It’s the local county planning commission that strictly enforces this.

As we purred over the famous Bixby Creek Bridge (13 miles South of Carmel) I drew in my breath – it’s 714 feet long and 260 feet above the Creek. When built it was one of the largest single-arch concrete bridges in the world – an engineering marvel that was recently seismic retrofitted (Nov 2000) although that brought little comfort as I tried to not look down. From shipwrecks to lighthouses, and in season many gray whales can be spotted from your drive along this coast.

My advice to you – make sure your gas tank is full and your bladder empty. The tangles in your hair and the wind burned glow on your face will be well worth it because traveling Highway One is more than a scenic drive, it's a pilgrimage.

Have you driven and adventure? Let us know your favorites by e-mailing info@racerchicks.com