[JONAT] Road Quality Inquiry

[Jerry Mouton]

Hi, folks,

Well, last week I went out and drove the road I selected between 
Hwy 1 in Big Sur (Norhthern California) and Mission San Antonio 
de Padua.  The mission was wonderful, as always, but the road 
had me wondering.

This is a fully paved road, but a little narrow.  While it's always 
wide enough for 2 SUVs to pass (barely), there is no center line,
no edge lines.  There are no railings, and often cliffs are steep 
along side.  The surface condition is good, though there can
be some fallen rocks due to the location.  There is one part 
where we drive over a creek that crosses the road -- on a 
concrete road surface.  I felt no worries at normal speeds 
(35-45) in my Volvo wagon.  One Porsche group I know in 
Southern California looks forward to this road on the way 
north to Laguna Seca.

The road is just a driver's delight, as long as some sense is used.  
While there was very little traffic, there was some, and driving 
on the wrong side on curves could be dangerous.  The road climbs 
up some of the most beautiful steep mountains you can imagine, 
They are covered with redwoods, chaparral, and grass, and every 
precarious curve offers another incredible view of the mountains
and the ocean below, and glimpses of Hwy 1 fighting through these
mountains are also very inspiring.  Especially the drive back will be 
beautiful, as the ocean is always visible at the bottom of the valley 
we are clinging to, with surf and rugged rocks in evidence.  
Not a road for high speed driving, but a driver's road for sure.
It will be a pretty long ride, about an hour, maybe a little more, 
each way.  

Does this meet minimum requirements for the tour?  Especially 
referring to the narrow, unmarked condition, and the potential for
fallen rocks on the road, I have some concern.  As for me, it's
exactly the kind of road I'd want to go on.  Should I mark this as an
optional alternate side trip?  Or alternatively, we could drive US101
up to the mission, and take this road only one way.

BTW, I drove the road out north of Napa Valley toward Mendocino, 
found it to be an absolute delight for touring.  Views and road will
bring much joy.

Jerry

Jerry Mouton    '64 E Type FHC    "Laissez les bons temps rouler!"
      Jaguar Owner's North American Tour - http://jonat.org
      April 15, 2004 - July 4, 2004