A visual encyclopedia that seeks to capture the essence of a topic, not just its objective facts
Standard encyclopedias tell us factual tidbits about the people, places, and things that we encounter every day, but often fail to capture their real “feel”
That’s why this project will try to catalog all the important elements – sights, smells, sounds, tastes, and feels – of a given subject, even if they aren’t strictly objective, tangible, or easily defined.
In addition to that, we’ll also point out the ways that one can experience each topic, whether it’s through the pages of a book, the scenes of a movie, or even in real life.
People
These are the archetypes, historical characters, and unique individuals that truly embody a certain category
Places
Towns, cities, and regions that have a special feel to them where you can find a real unique sense of place
Things
Everything from sports teams to movie trilogies to architecture- these things have a feel all their own
- America the Beautiful
- City & Country Time Capsules
- Neighborhoods of Distinction
- One City, Many Stories
- Places of Distinction
- That Time of Year In…
- Academic Archetypes
- Ages, Eras & Periods
- Arche-tecture
- Fashion Sense
- Miscellanea
- Season’s Greetings
- Seminal Events
- Sports!
- Tinseltown
Get Involved
There are many different ways you can get involved. Hit the button below to donate and help us quit our day jobs, or contact us if you are interested in sponsoring a page or simply authoring one. We’d love to have you onboard!
History
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Mathematics
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Science
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« America the Beautiful
Big Sur & The California Coast
If you ever get the chance, jump into a red convertible, roll the windows down, and cruise down the winding cliffs of Big Sur with the sea-salt wind in your hair – there are very few things more epic. Each turn brings stunning vistas of the Pacific below or rolling hills gracefully spanned by picturesque arched bridges, and you can’t help but feel a sense of freedom and being alive. It’s at once massive and intimate; huge jagged cliffs spilling into vast oceans mixed with sublime personal experience.
The mystique of Big Sur has been cultivated over time. Many famous people have contributed stories, art, music and other homages – none perhaps more famous than Jack Kerouac himself, whose “Big Sur” and “On the Road” both memorialize the region and lend it a certain allure, like an invitation to find one’s self in cavernous California valleys a la the author. These and the other tributes have solidified the region as one of America’s most picturesque, admired, and well known. Anyone who’s been lucky enough to drive down Highway 1 won’t soon forget this memorable, un-missable stretch of it.
Elements
Stunning, idyllic vistas
The coastline has no shortage of absolutely stunning scenes, none greater perhaps than a waterfall onto a sandy beach
Jagged, rocky coasts
During nearly every mile of this coastline, jagged cliffs drop off into the water dramatically or chunky rock formations dot the shoreline
Echoing coastlines
Round most curves on Route 1 and you will witness coastlines that echo repeatedly into the distance
Arched bridges
This region’s beauty is natural, but the man-made bridges spanning cliff-peaks complement it nicely
Smell of fresh sage & citrus
If you’re driving, don’t forget to roll down the window and smell the intoxicating fresh sage and citrus
Spirit of Jack Keroauc
The legacy of Jack Kerouac lives on in these shores, thanks to his book about the region and countless tributes to him in songs, movies and other literature
Experience It
In real life
Drive through Big Sur
There is of course no better way to get a real sense of the region’s majesty than by hopping in a car and exploring its every curve
Through the pages of a book
Read “Big Sur”
In this novel by esteemed Beat writer Jack Kerouac, the region itself might as well be a character. Experience what made Jack so found of these golden cliffs
Through the airwaves
Listen to “One Fast Move or I’m Gone” by Ben Gibbard & Jay Farrar
Need a soundtrack for your drive down the coast? Toss this album on and enjoy a raw, Americana-filled tour through Kerouac-inspired musical scenery
Author
Adrian Monaco
Co-founder of Archetypical and huge fan of the PCH. I’ve only driven down it once, but did so in almost its entirety, from Oregon down to LA, and was captivated by the beauty of this coastline.
Photo Cred
Stunning, idyllic vistas: 1. McWay Falls, CA | Nir Peretz | 500px; 2. California coast | Etsy | Pinterest
Jagged, sheer cliffs: California coast at sunset | Chris Burnham | Instagram
Echoing coastlines: 1. Big Sur coast | Torrey Merritt | Pinterest; 2. Big Sur coast | Kelley Johnson | Instagram; 3. Big Sur coast | Unsplash | Pinterest
Arched bridges: Bixby Bridge | by.ariane | Instagram
Smell of fresh sage & citrus: Flora in Big Sur | Sid & Iggy’s Travel Blog, Tumblr
Spirit of Jack Keroauc: Jack Kerouac in On The Road (movie) | Fanpop
Get Involved
There are many different ways you can get involved. Hit the button below to donate and help us quit our day jobs, or contact us if you are interested in sponsoring a page or simply authoring one. We’d love to have you onboard!