i have always wanted to drive the pacific cost highway. other than the blue ridge parkway, the PHC is one of the most noted drives in the continental united states. mountains on one side, pacific ocean on the other, the winding highway stretches from san diego to seattle. famous artists have sung, written, painted, pontificated life, pondered the universe and been inspired on the PCH. the drive is said to be a right of passage and self discovery.
one of my stops along the PCH was solana beach. what a perfect place to spend the afternoon. open air antique shops and boutiques line a street where locals and tourist mix to plunder the latest in beach house chic decor. my favorite shop was bon bon. i continually asked myself and the shop keeper "can i ship this home?"
next stop, clairs on cedros for lunch. i had the wall street journal and watermelon gazpacho on the porch. ordered a hibiscus sweet tea to sip while i meandered the design district.
it is true what they say, the PHC is more of a mindset than a highway.
there is something about having the windows rolled down and your mind open. i drove without the radio. on the PCH you don't need music to transport your mind; the scenery does it for you. mountains on one side, cliffs jutting out into the ocean on the other, and there you are in the middle of one of the most beautiful places in the world.
i didn't take away any great song lyrics, or an idea for an oil painting or a soon to be famous quote about life as many before me have. i did, however, leave with a feeling of peace that only comes from salt air, an open mind and a good drive.
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