太平洋的那一边 （四）

17-mile drive

　　同事知道我喜欢摄影，推荐我周末去17 miles drive，Google了关于17-mile drive的信息，还真被吸引了，关键那些海边的相片拍的太漂亮了，周末的行程也就这样确定了，下面是Google到的一些关于17-mile drive的信息。

17-Mile Drive is widely recognized as one of the most scenic drives in the world. The famous coastal landmark runs through Pacific Grove to Pebble Beach, from the dramatic Pacific coastline to the majestic Del Monte Forest. The awe-inspiring vistas and legendary sites can easily fill an entire day with exploration and discovery, although visitors with less time should not miss the opportunity to experience this wondrous journey as well.

 

Marvel at some of nature’s treasures found along 17-Mile Drive including The Lone Cypress – one of California’s best-known landmarks – Spanish Bay, Cypress Point Lookout and Carmel Bay. You can also see the emerald fairways of The Links at Spanish Bay, Spyglass Hill and the world-renowned Pebble Beach Golf Links.

 

The Lone Cypress	As one of California’s most enduring landmarks, The Lone Cypress has prevailed on its rocky perch for over 250 years. This icon has inspired many and is revered as the eternal symbol of Pebble Beach Company.
Fanshell Overlook	The pure white sand of the beach below is irresistible to harbor seals, which each spring return to bear their young. Closed during the harbor seal pupping season from April 1 to June 1.
Spanish Bay	Don Gaspar de Portela, the Spanish explorer, and his crew camped here in 1769 while searching for Monterey Bay. A scenic picnic stop, this is also a pleasant location for a stroll around the shoreline.
Point Joe	Early mariners often crashed upon these rocks after mistakenly setting their course for this point, believing that it was the entrance to Monterey Bay.
The Lodge at Pebble Beach	Built in 1919, The Lodge is the heart and soul of Pebble Beach and home to the world-famous Pebble Beach Golf Links. Open to the public, it offers a variety of dining and shopping options.

 

• To assist motorists from venturing into the maze of neighborhood roads, a red-dashed line down the center of the main road marks 17-Mile Drive.

• During the California Sea Lions birthing season, portions of the shoreline are protected from visitor intrusion with fencing.

• It is estimated that nearly 8,000,000 vehicles have visited Pebble Beach Resorts since 1990 to enjoy the sights, sounds and events.

• Many locations along the Drive have starred in motion pictures including National Velvet with Elizabeth Taylor, The Caddie with Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, One Eyed Jack with Karl Malden and Marlon Brando; and Escape from Witch Mountain (Disney).

• Although the route has changed over the years, since it first opened in 1881, 17-Mile Drive is still exactly 17 miles long.

• The Monterey Cypress is native to only two areas – Point Lobos headland and the headlands at Cypress Point along 17-Mile Drive.

• The Lone Cypress recognized among “10 Most Magnificent Trees in the World” by World Amazing Events.com February 2009.

 

　　早上起床后，天气很不错，开车一路直奔17 miles drive，心中也期盼着阳光、海滩、鹅卵石…。走的是Santa Cruz方向，没有走US 101。在CA-17th 高速上有一段连续的山路，挺刺激，弯道，上上下下的，因为海拨变化比较明显，耳朵会有反应。过了山路之后天上的云开始多了起来，不再那么阳光明媚了，当时还想这只是一时的，到了海边就好了，可事实是到了海边也没好。开了近一个小时，终于到了17-mile drive，收了7刀多的门票就进去了，付门票时还想这比国内便宜多了，这是按车收，国内是按人头收费，年初去山西一人190，还说是淡季门票，我们一车人交了好几百，都够来这里好些次了，美国企业真不会赚钱。
　　所谓的17-mile drive就是一条17英里长的路，在路上有很多景点，因为比较长所以只能drive。入口时给一张景点介绍和线路图，大概有20多个景点，每个景点都有停车的位置，大概能停15辆车左右，基本上都是走马观花的停下来看一眼，拍拍照，然后就走了，所以基本上不会遇到停车困难的现象。有时会不由自住的想，这要是在国内这样的景点得收费多少，在每个景点会不会人满车满为患？

　　已经记不得到海边的时候是第几个景点了，虽然阴天，但那白色的沙滩还是让本来因为期望晴天而失落的心砰的动了一下，海风的凉意瞬间袭遍全身，海浪的声音有些震耳，总感觉这和国内见的海有些不同，但一时间又没想明白到底是哪里不一样。在某个转身的一刹那忽然发觉，这哪里是海，这分明是洋-太平洋！这就是洋的气势。

　　美国人挺会生活，好多人带着烧烤工具和在家里准备好的食品，在海边的桌子上开吃，当然海鸥也不客气，在一旁凑热闹，偶尔也能混一些零食，海鸥通常都不怕人，只要你没有明显的侵犯动作，一般都不飞。





　　我在沙滩上写下你的名字，然后．．．

　　依偎。















　　看上去海水有些淡绿色，一下子就想到了电影《加勒比海盗》中的场景，只可惜不是晴天。

　　在海边举行的婚礼，挺简单的，就一二十人，不知道他们有没有随份子这一说，要随多少。虽然不够气派，感觉却挺好，很想凑上去拍几张相片，想想还是算了，我这黄皮肤的出现在婚礼上，他们一定会惊讶的说：“看，老外！”。



　　不知道叫它松鼠是否准确，边上有很多洞，估计都是他们的。

　　小女孩儿的镜头比我的给力多了，感叹啊！

　　那个小岛上全是海狮，用了2毛五的硬币看的清清楚楚，这段海滩的味道很大，估计与海狮有很大的关系。







　　这个园子外围用简易的木板围着的，而且有明显的标志写着，私人财产，勿入。我想肯定没人敢进，指不定哪里就有枪指着呢。园子里还养着鹿，挺悠闲，也没有跑的意愿。有些惊讶在这样一个风景秀丽的景点竟然会有这么大面积的私人财产，这对于一个从任何财产都是国家的地方出来的人确实不敢想象，不知道美国人知道我这种心理会不会笑话我。







　　没拍到那个Lone cypress ，却拍到不少这样儿的。





　　这些海鸥挺有意思，看到好些次沿着岸边巡航，有数十只低空飞行，当从头顶掠过时还是很有气势的。