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.

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People

These are the archetypes, historical characters, and unique individuals that truly embody a certain category

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Places

Towns, cities, and regions that have a special feel to them where you can find a real unique sense of place

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Things

Everything from sports teams to movie trilogies to architecture- these things have a feel all their own

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!

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History

Mauris in aliquam odio, et ornare nisi. Cras tempus dui porttitor scelerisque mattis. Nunc ac condimentum odio, quis tincidunt nulla. .

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Mathematics

Mauris in aliquam odio, et ornare nisi. Cras tempus dui porttitor scelerisque mattis. Nunc ac condimentum odio, quis tincidunt nulla. .

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Science

Mauris in aliquam odio, et ornare nisi. Cras tempus dui porttitor scelerisque mattis. Nunc ac condimentum odio, quis tincidunt nulla. .

« 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

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Stunning, idyllic vistas

The coastline has no shortage of absolutely stunning scenes, none greater perhaps than a waterfall onto a sandy beach

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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

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Echoing coastlines

Round most curves on Route 1 and you will witness coastlines that echo repeatedly into the distance

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Arched bridges

This region’s beauty is natural, but the man-made bridges spanning cliff-peaks complement it nicely

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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!

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