A friend and neighbor introduced me to this route to Salinas over 16 years ago. It is the least “painful” route I have found from here to there, and it is so enjoyable this time of year. Of course I took photographs. But I also found myself starting a photo essay called, “The Colors of Green.” I will post some of those photos at a later time, but for now enjoy the road less traveled.

Those are the first 1/2 of the photos of the road less traveled. The second will follow in a few days, after I catch up with weather and road reports. The weather looks wet Thursday into Friday, with the possibility of thunderstorms, hail, and even a bit of snow on our higher peaks, but the latter half of next week might be interesting.

Lopez Point, to be exact, which is just barely north of Lucia. Woke our friend Avis up at 5 am this morning!

Here is the link: earthquake at Lopez Point
Magnitude
3.9
Date-Time
Tuesday, April 05, 2011 at 11:56:50 UTC
Tuesday, April 05, 2011 at 04:56:50 AM at epicenter
Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones
Location
36.071°N, 121.624°W
Depth
9.7 km (6.0 miles)
Region
OFFSHORE CENTRAL CALIFORNIA
Distances
8 km (5 miles) NW (318°) from Lopez Point, CA

Lucia has enough slide problems without the stress of added earthquakes!

Yesterday, I had both doctors and dentists appointments in Monterey. These appointments were made MONTHS ago. Hmmm …

I left my house at 5:30 am to get to Ft. Ord in time, and as it turned out, it only took 4 hours, when I gave myself 5. I watched the sun come up from the South Coast Ridge Rd. I can’t remember the last time I did that. I drove only the back side of Nacimiento-Fergusson Rd. I heard later (see post below and comment by Dave Allen) that the “front side” of N-F was blocked by a downed tree. The back side was smooth sailing.I have photos of the drive, of course, which I will post in a bit (I left my camera in the car).

While driving 4 hours one-way to go to the grocery store is not most people’s idea of “fun” – this drive is so beautiful it is hard to get too upset about it. Obviously a one day round trip is out of the question, given all I must do here in town, but I got a room at the Carmel Mission Inn, met a friend for drinks at Rio Grill, and generally turned it into a party.

I arrived to find my photo and Larry Parson’s article about this blog on the front page of the Monterey Herald. Of course, I knew it was coming. I just was surprised it made the front page, along with the article about the coast behind the slide. Did most of my important errands in town yesterday, but have a few left to do before I can head on home today.

Eight hours of driving for a town trip is a long way to go, but turn it into a party, and you are a true Big Surian!

Here are photos of the Rocky Creek site taken yesterday by Ken Cowen. Thanks again Ken for keeping us all informed! Nothing does it like photos!

It is an absolutely gorgeous day in paradise, and you can get there during the day 7 am to 7 pm. I remember in 1983 when the road was closed to the north. I was coming from the south, and loved the fact there were fewer visitors. So come and enjoy the day with us, but be past Ragged Point, or on Nacimiento-Fergusson Rd. by 7 pm or plan on spending the night with us!

These signs are up all the way up the coast from Morro Bay. I got a kick out of them, as it sounds as if the streets get rolled up after 7 pm – and, I guess, in a way they do! But in Big Sur Valley, once you get there, as always, there is plenty to do. Just plan on spending the night. It is a great time to be here.

When I first heard about this, while still down in LA, it made no sense to me, and I couldn’t figure out why the road would be closed each night at Lucia to the north, and Ragged Point to the south.

Today, on the way home, I drove that entire length to see what was what. Now I understand why that entire length is closed at night. It is moving – just about everywhere. Besides the original Chimney Slide at Limekiln, there is Paul’s slide north of there, two more Limekiln slides south of there, and that is all BEFORE one gets to N-F Rd. which is beyond the closed point for either north or south closures, so only those of us BETWEEN the closures have access to N-F after dark. Mud Creek is a freaking mess, Alder Creek is cleared but moving, Soda Springs is a mess, Elephant’s Trunk is in a constant state of patch. There are just too many places creating potential problems to count. Most of the pull offs are now filed with debris waiting to be hauled off.

The bottom line is patience, everyone, while Mother Nature finishes doing as she wills. When night time travel is safe again, it will open up, and then Big Sur won’t be rolling up her streets!

REMEMBER – YOU CANNOT GET TO NACIMIENTO-FERGUSSON BETWEEN 7 PM AND 7 AM. ALL TRAFFIC INTO OR OUT OF BIG SUR IS CLOSED AT NIGHT. SO PLAN TO SPEND THE NIGHT.

Lots to catch up on. I’ve been gone dealing with my mother’s estate, the memorial for her best friend, and other emotional issues.

First, regular trash pick up for Big Sur resumes today and every Saturday thereafter until access thru Rocky Creek is regained.

Second, southern portion of road is closed from Lucia to Ragged point from 7 pm to 7 am until deemed safe for night time travel.

Third, MST has arranged bus service to coincide with the pedestrian crossings at 7 am and again at 4 pm.

Fourth, rumor has it that repairs are on track for an April 16th single lane weight restricted opening at Rocky Creek.

Fifth, bigsurkate is back to more regular reporting now that she is back home. Thanks for your understanding.

From 1 pm until 7 pm and again at 7 am tomorrow