California

I was traveling the 17-Mile Drive on the Monterey Peninsula, headed toward a Pebble Beach landmark, when it began to rain. I asked myself, “Why am I going out here in this downpour?” The tourists who had gathered there apparently had answered that question already, as they beat a quick retreat from the threatening clouds. The Lone Cypress, the rooted icon I had come to capture, had no choice but to stay. It wasn’t going anywhere, so neither was I. Perhaps we’d both learned that thunderstorms pass, and on the other side of dismal often lies remarkable beauty. Leave too soon, and you’ll miss it. As the clouds cleared and the sun beat down on a jagged precipice, two lone figures remained to revel in the sight - the cypress on its cliff, and I on mine.