Big Sur’s Multi Sensory Experience

Photographs stimulate our visual sense and often our memory, but in some cases they do more. This image of the Pacific coast at Big Sur, California evokes for me a big breath of fresh air and the distant sound of the surf.

Standing on this lookout over Big Sur, California was a treat for all the senses.

The wind was blowing and the sun was shining. The temperature was in the 70s (Fahrenheit). Other tourists were milling around us, talking and taking photos.

Visually, this photo gives us texture and color as well as a long view to the south. Regions that are very dry contrast the open sea. The foamy shoreline as well as the cliffs help our eye to travel to the distant horizon. A bit of wild brush shows us where we are standing.

Let’s drive to the next lookout and check out the vista from there.

Snaefellsnes Peninsula, Iceland

After our glacier hike, we stopped at a little restaurant for some lamb soup, and were surprised to discover this beautiful coast line just a short walk from the restaurant.

This Western region of Iceland, just north of Reykjavik is one of my favorite regions in Iceland. When I return to Iceland someday for a few days of exploration by car, I will probably head up this way. In addition to the dormant volcano Snaefellsjokull and its glacier, one can also enjoy these sea cliffs, miles of sheep farms, lava fields and scenic mountains (more photos of the mountains to come).

Coast of Snaefellsnes Peninsula with basalt columns — an interesting rock formation created as lava cools.

Our ship was docked in Grundarfjordur, and next we would return to the ship, passing the most photographed mountain in Iceland, Kirkjufell. One of my goals of the Iceland trip was to capture my own photo of Kirkjufell, but the only opportunity I had was through the bus window. That would be one of many reasons to go back someday.