The Keeper Who Opened the Gates Every Monday

The Jack Hopkins Now Newsletter #950: Sunday, June 28th, 2006

Every Monday morning, before the first visitors arrived, an old wildlife keeper unlocked the gates to a sanctuary perched on the edge of a battered coastline.

The storms had been relentless.

Salt had eaten away at the fences. Branches littered the paths. Some mornings it seemed as though the wind had undone an entire week’s worth of work in a single night.

Friends would occasionally ask him the same question.

“Doesn’t it ever discourage you…seeing it damaged over and over again?”

He would smile, pick up another fallen branch, and continue walking.

“You think I’m here to defeat the storm,” he said.

“I’m here to make sure the sanctuary is still standing…after it passes.”

The birds didn’t know what day it was.

The young trees didn’t know how many storms had already come.

The injured animals…waiting behind those gates simply…needed someone who showed up again.

So…every Monday…he unlocked the gate with the same quiet ceremony.

Not because he expected an easy week.

Because he expected to be needed.

Years later, visitors remarked on how peaceful the sanctuary felt.

They admired the towering trees…the thriving wildlife…the winding trails.

Almost no one noticed the thousands of Mondays hidden beneath it all.

The gates opened.

The paths were cleared.

The repairs were made.

One ordinary morning…after another.

And…perhaps that’s how the strongest places…and the strongest people…are built.

Not by waiting for favorable weather.

Not by demanding certainty before acting.

But by greeting another Monday with steady hands…unlocking the gate…and continuing the work that quietly makes tomorrow possible.

Thank you, Jack Hopkins for another timely reminder – You can follow him on Substack.

Which do you like best? The black and white or the color?

Hi Kate, 

There’s a group of people heading out on the trails here around silver Peak.

Would you be willing to post a photo of Rio and ask people who are checking your website and who might be going out to keep an eye out for him.

Rio is 5’7”, dark hair, he just chopped off his pony tail. 

He has no water or food or sleeping bag. He’s spent the night out there last night.

Thank you so much!!!

David Sleeth (Rio’s Dad)_

We’d like to provide clarification on work stop dates for the Carmel Valley Road Resurfacing Project.

In the original information release English language version, the bullet point with work stop dates during Car Week had a typo/word omission:  

Wednesday, August 5, 2026, Monday, August 17, 2026: Monterey Car Week Event

The correct information is:

Wednesday, August 5, 2026, through Monday, August 17, 2026: Monterey Car Week Event

Construction work will be suspended and all work areas cleared during Car Week. The information release has been corrected and is attached.

Thank you,

Date:	Tuesday, June 23, 2026
District:	05 – Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz Counties
Contact:	Kevin Drabinski or Ashton Harris
Phone:	(805) 549-3138 or (805) 549-3237

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TEMPORARY TRAFFIC SIGNAL TO ACTIVATE ON HIGHWAY 1

NEAR PFEIFFER CANYON BRIDGE THURSDAY, JUNE 25

MONTEREY COUNTY – A temporary traffic signal system will be activated on Highway 1 just south of the Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge Thursday, June 25, at 6 am.

The project location is about 1.1 miles south of the Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge at Post Mile 44. This signal will operate 24/7 and travelers can expect delays of up to 10 minutes, with longer impacts during busy travel during the weekends.

The temporary signal will support construction to replace the Coastlands II retaining wall. This project is essential for stabilizing the slope, improving drainage, and strengthening the long-term resiliency of the roadway.

Signals will be in place for the entirety of the project, which is estimated to be complete by March 2027, weather permitting.

This is a reminder that your input is needed! The CHMP survey will close at the end of June. Please see below for a message from Caltrans regarding the Coast Highway Management Plan (CHMP) update and how you can participate in the process. The CHMP, developed by Caltrans and the Federal Highway Administration, is essentially the playbook for how Highway 1 is maintained and managed in Big Sur, addressing issues like safety, landslides, erosion, and protecting the area’s unique landscape while aligning with local plans like the Big Sur Land Use Plan. This update is especially important for residents and commuters along Highway 1. Caltrans is actively seeking community input through a survey. Your feedback will help shape how this critical corridor is managed for years to come.

Take the Survey Here

Summer Solstice June 21, 2023 AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES

Yesterday, Tuesday June 16, 2026, I had the pleasure of being a passenger down the Coast from Rio Rd to Pacific Valley with my friend Rose Welch. It was a beautiful day for a drive (if one could be patient and extremely aware of the idiots and other out-of-towners on the road.) It was nuts at all the usual places and some of the not-so-usual places. McWay Falls apparently hasn’t had anty police presence in the form of State Park Rangers in a bit as it was back to its pre-patrol craziness. (Sorry, I was helping to keep an eye out for Rose and too busy to take photos.) Bixby was slow going as usual, but at 3:30 in the afternoon there was a CHP presence who was out talking to people and issuing tickets. (Thanks to Morgan Lee-Airello for these photos-CHP officer is behind a car on the west side talkling/giving out tickers)

Thank you, CHP and Morgan.

In honor of a certain birthday today taken one year ago, I offer: