Month: December 2009

Ambulance Service in Big Sur & Tomorrow’s treat!

Kirk Gafill reports: “Today, the Board of Supervisors approved by unanimous vote, a 5 year contract with American Medical Response to provide countywide advanced life support ambulance service. The contract specifically calls for a 24 hour a day ambulance to be stationed in Big Sur for the duration of the contract.” Way to go, Kirk & Martha!! Thanks for spearheading this for our community!

And tomorrow, December’s spotlight goes up — Post Ranch Inn. Soaring Starkey, Post Ranch Inn Historian (among so many other titles) has blessed us with an incredible bit of history of one of our original pioneer families, graced with historical photographs you will not want to miss. So check back for a great read!

Cal-Trans Hotline

Date: Tuesday, December 15, 2009
District: 5 (Santa Barbara, SLO, Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties)
Contact: Janet Newland or Colin Jones
Phone: (805) 549-3461 or (805) 549-3189
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CALTRANS HIGHWAY 1 BIG SUR HOTLINE TO PROVIDE CURRENT TRAFFIC INFORMATION

MONTEREY/SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTIES – Caltrans District 5 has created a toll-free hotline that will provide information about traffic on Highway 1. The hotline will cover an area of the Big Sur coast highway from Cambria to Carmel.

Motorists are advised to consult the hotline before driving on Highway 1 in the Big Sur area. The toll-free phone number is (888) 836-0866.

The hotline will be updated as needed with information about construction, traffic delays, and or road closures. “With the rainy season approaching, we are pleased to be able to provide this service to the traveling public,” said District Director Rich Krumholz.

Caltrans reminds motorists that “we’re here to get you there.”

For traffic updates on Highway 1 projects between Cambria and Carmel residents can visit http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist05/road_information.htm or call the District 5 toll-free number at 888-836-0866.

Weather Report, 12/14

GORGEOUS!! Another storm due in tomorrow night, but the one due on Thursday is scheduled to remain to the north of the Big Sur area. I hope the storm knows this.

On my way down today, I noticed water in the upper ravines for the first time in forever. I also was gifted with a bobcat sighting. I tried to get a photo, but I think it is blurry. What a gift for the start of a difficult day.

Here is the ravine:

And then there were the elk.

Weather Report, 12/13

.55 last night, for a season total of 23.9 inches. Gennie not working today, so internet will be hit and miss. Plus, I have to deal with the loss of Lee, and protecting his estate at the moment.

Loss of a friend …

I will continue with weather reports, including rain received, later, but first, I must acknowledge the death of a friend … Lee Buzzard. For those who knew him, including his family, he could be an exasperating friend, sometimes. The last time I saw him was at the Jade Festival, where he snuck up behind me and grabbed my boob, something he had never done before.We all have so many “Lee stories” that we will tell over the next days, weeks, and months. Lynne and I have spoken of having a memorial on a hot summer’s day, when we can scatter his ashes as he wished, to join his mother, and his favorite dog, Max.

Lee came to Big Sur many years ago, after an early retirement as a labor negotiator between schools and teachers’s unions. He served on the local school board for several years. He lived up at the Nacaraubi for a time, on Willow, Plaskett, and lately on Gorda Mountain.

Lee, I will miss your acidic wit, the twinkle in your eye, when you were plotting some new idea, and that wonderful deep singing voice of yours. I will miss your friendship.

Weather Manipulation, Part deux

Cloud seeding has not been placed on any Agenda of any December MCWRA meeting. My guess (and that is all it is) is due to letters sent by CPOA, BSVFB, and moi, as well as inquiries by the USFS and Dave Potter’s office, and possible inquiries (unverified) by Cal-Trans and NOAA.

The next MCWRA Board of Directors is now Jan 25, 2010. I would advise keeping an eye on the MCWRA website
http://www.mcwra.co.monterey.ca.us/

I will try to stay on top of this issue, and continue to use this blog to keep you informed. Weather reports for today, Saturday, 12/12 continue on the post below.

Weather Report, 12/12/09

5:30 pm – 3.25 for the day, 5.25 for the last 24 hours, and 23.35 for the season. It is currently raining. More rain reports tomorrow, if warranted.

3:30 pm – rain stopped around 3, and up to 2.25 since noon, 3.25 since 9 am. One last rain received report just before dark.

2:00 pm – just shy of 2 inches since noon, with no let up yet apparent.

12:30 pm – it has been pouring the last 1/2 hour. Looks like .65 inches since noon, but I’m not going out to verify! I will give a 24-hour rain total just before dark, while continuing posting updates during the day, if warranted.

Noon – 1/2 inch in the last hour. That’s a total of 4 and 1/2 since yesterday morning. The wind is rather a significant factor. Got soaking wet emptying the rain gague, and checking it, taping it up on the bottom with that wonderful silver tape. Every gal should have that in her tool box. Oh, and you guys, too!

11:00 am – 1/2 inch in the last 2 hours.

9:00 am – serious, but short lived cloud burst, but rain continues.

Received 2.0 inches during the night, for a season total of 20.1″ unless, of course, my rain gauge is leaking, which means I got more. Will check on everything today, before the next one hits.

Weather Report, 12/11/09

10:30 pm – quite a bit of rain through out the evening, and considerable now.

4:30 pm – it has rained/drizzled on and off all day, mostly off. It is currently raining again.

This afternoon’s 3 pm NOAA discussion contained this:

LIFT ALONG THE COAST COMBINED WITH MOISTURE WILL PRODUCE MORE MODERATE TO STEADY RAINFALL TOMORROW. STORM TOTALS SATURDAY INTO SUNDAY WILL GENERALLY BE 1 TO 2 INCHES OVER HIGHER TERRAIN WITH A FEW POCKETS CLOSE TO 3 INCHES. LOWER ELEVATIONS WILL GENERALLY BE .5 TO 1 INCHES. HAVE ALSO CONTINUED THE MENTION OF ISO THUNDERSTORMS TOMORROW AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

An inch of rain last night, on top of the 1/2 inch yesterday, bringing the season total to 17.1 inches! I have to check my rain gauge. I think it is leaking, as the 6/10ths from the other day disappeared, and in the last 24 hours, Chalk Peak got over 2.5 inches, and Three Peaks got over 3.0. I may have to tape it up. Looking to get a more professional weather station up here for accuracy, although Red-Tail used to use coffee cans set out in various places, measured, and averaged.

From early this morning, the NOAA discussion:

IR SATELLITE INDICATES SOME INTERESTING STORMS NEAR 35N/125W AND BEARING DOWN ON THE CENTRAL COAST. LOTS OF LIGHTNING HAS BEEN DETECTED WITHIN THESE STORMS…SO HAVE INCLUDED THE POSSIBILITY OF THUNDERSTORMS TODAY ACROSS THE CWA…ALTHOUGH THE BEST CHANCES WILL LIKELY BE ACROSS THE SOUTHERN THIRD OF THE CWA.