'POSTSCRIPT.--In the second chapter I allude to Stout Cortez staring at the Pacific. Shortly after the appearance of this narrative in serial form in America, I received an anonymous letter containing the words, "You big stiff, it wasn't Cortez, it was Balboa." This, I believe, is historically accurate. On the other hand, if Cortez was good enough for Keats, he is good enough for me. Besides, even if it was Balboa, the Pacific was open for being stared at about that time, and I see no reason why Cortez should not have had a look at it as well.'
- Foreword of 'The Clicking of Cuthbert', PG Wodehouse
The Pacific as stared at from Muir Beach Overlook, California Highway 1.
The Pacific is anything but. In truth, it looks pretty threatening.
Calling it calm and peaceful would be tantamount to calling King Kong
cute. Long years ago a friend of mine had painted a wonderful picture of the drive on the California Highway 1 - a winding road hugging the Pacific. I vividly remember the way he described the drive to me. In the movie 'The Shawshank Redemption' the Morgan Freeman character says in the last line 'I hope the Pacific is as blue as it has been in my dreams'. To paraphrase that memorable movie quote, for me it always has been 'I hope the Pacific is as wonderful as Prashant described it'. And it was. The drive was very exciting though on the way back I started feeling slightly sick in my tummy because of the winding route. But then they say that you can’t make omelets without breaking some eggs.
I will always love America for giving me this beautiful surprise. This picture was taken near Lake Trillium in Oregon. I went to this place with the intention of seeing Mount Hood and the supposedly picturesque lake - and came back with this. Another memorable first.
By the way, I was also at San Francisco; was there during the Memorial Day weekend. How about some introductions? These things are not well known for people outside United States - the last Monday in May is called the Memorial Day and is a national holiday. A surge of happiness ran through me when I was entering San Francisco over the Bay Bridge and even as I type this I feel happy again. You are of course aware of the Golden Gate Bridge and the works. I wont run through the regular tourist attractions. You would check wikitravel if you want that. Allow me instead to introduce you to the most fascinating aspect of 'The City' - as it is casually referred to in the bay area - its long undulating streets. The roads in San Francisco are the most unique thing that the visitor would see, leaving him gaping in wonderment.
I also got to visit the world famous - world, to Americans, as we all know, is America alone - Yosemite National Park. The weather did not permit me to take a look at its stand-out attraction, the Half Dome as they call it, but the place is definitely one of the most scenic places of natural beauty that one would ever see. The crystal clear waters, the huge naturally-formed-due-to-glacial-thingummybob granite rocks, the green surroundings - they all make the place a trekker's paradise and offer a memorable experience to the casual tourist. I of course was the casual tourist.
A few random observations:
If you want a desi-free flight, fly Portland to Sacramento. I wonder if the word Desi has entered the OED. If it has not, it must. Oh, the editor has not suggested a word replacement when I type the word in capitals.
In United States of America, the Ground Floor is called First Floor.
National Pastime - camping and hiking.
Southwest Airlines Rocks. The captain and the crew are all probably certified stand-up comics.
Pizzas Suck.
If you are in Portland and happen to be a book lover, don't miss Powell's City of Books. It is like a pilgrim centre for book lovers.
The tastiest burgers on the planet can be eaten at Red Robin.
I shall sign off with a picture of the Columbia River I took at the 'Crown Point' view during my drive on the 'Historic Columbia River Highway' - another All-American Road like the California Highway 1 - over the weekend.
Destination Next: Las Vegas
