I'm In Love With A Wall. A Stone Wall. Can You Believe It?

Actually, I'm in love with the whole story & wonderfully witchy woodsy art work of sculptor-builder Patrick Dougherty.

I regularly fantasize about creating a home like THiS in Big Sur... -xo

Hunter In Big Sur

"This is the way life goes in Big Sur. Waiting for the mail, watching the sea-lions in the surf or the freighters on the horizon, sitting in the tubs at Hot Springs, once in a while a bit of drink- and, most of the time, working at what ever it is that you came here to work on, whether it be painting, writing, gardening or the simple art of living your own life."

- Hunter S. Thompson




If you're a regular here at KOSHi BLOG, you know that Big Sur is my favorite destination on the planet & that I try to get over there as much as possible, at least once a year. I married Billy in the forest there last year, in a "sacred circle of trees", so I think it's place in my heart is cemented now & quite permanently. One of my favorite things about Big Sur, is the fact that so many wonderful & iconic writers lived there at one time or another. Heck- The Hnery Miller Library is why I sought it out in the first place. So, I really appreciate the Big Sur photographs included in the Hunter S. Thompson coffee table book, GONZO, and Jen Connor for posting a few of them on her truly awesome blog.

Obedient Waves at Old Towne Pub in Pasadena

I told you- it's HARD to adjust to life post-Big Sur. Case in point, look at this poster Billy & I just made for our upcoming show at Old Towne Pub. That's none other than Big Sur alum (and one of my personal heroes), Henry Miller, playing some table tennis with a lady friend. They still have a ping pong table set up at the Henry Miller Library in his honor. We just watched a very heated game of it from the patio there this weekend. Ahhhh- good times at the sur...

KOSHi Luvs... Big Sur

It's hard to come home after a trip to Big Sur. It requires a period of adjustment. I miss the redwoods and moss, the clover and dirt, the birds, the rocks and cliffs and metaphysical books, the seemingly infinite species of flower. I miss the fog rolling in and out every morning, the fickle sun. I miss the way that the old-pro-locals light up at the tourists, because it's all too beautiful to abide a bad mood. Children blow bubbles and braid each other's hair. Grownups practice partners yoga and take in the view. There are many views to take in. Choose a direction, any direction, and you will find one. Mountains. Waterfalls. Rolling Hills. The Ocean.

L.A. is so grey by comparison. Traffic. Helicopters. Too Many Buildings. We've been back little more than 48 hours, and I already need a vacation. Since that's not going to happen anytime soon, how 'bout you join me for a lil mental vacay- say to Billy & Jo's Top Five Big Sur Destinations...

1. Deetjen's


2. The Henry Miller Library


3. The Spirit Garden and 4. Big Sur Bakery (side by side)


5. Nepenthe (GREAT gift shop downstairs)


BONUS GOODNESS: I can not do a list of favorite places to frequent in Big Sur without including the Flying Fish Grill in Carmel. It's a bit of a drive, say 40 scenic minutes North, but the atmosphere is so delicious and the food's to die for!

***Of course these selections are not counting the many awesome things to do outdoors (which is really the point of going to Big Sur in the first place) like riding horses through an ancient redwood forest to the beach, catching the waterfall that spills into the ocean at Julia Pfieffer State Park, gawking at the California Condors hanging out along the PCH, Esalen (which deserves a post of it's own), or any of the wild nature hikes and campgrounds to explore till your heart's content. I recommend it all, but you'll have to go find it yourself!)

Ommmm...

"We are what we think.
All that we are arises with our thoughts.
With our thoughts we make the world.
Speak or act with a pure mind,
and happiness will follow you
as your shadow, unshakeable.

How can a troubled mind understand the way?
Your worst enemy cannot harm you as much
as your own thoughts unguarded.
But once mastered,
no one can help you as much,
not even your father or your mother."

Buddha (from the Dhammapada, translated by Thomas Byron)

This reminds me... I'm gonna post the lyrics to "Om Song" here next week- after I get back from a much needed vacation. Till then, I've got two words for you...

BiG SUR!