This is a reminder of the BSMAAC meeting tomorrow, Friday, October 19, 2012 – 10:00 a.m. at the Pfeiffer Big Sur Lodge Conference Center. Ken Dostalek of Caltrans will will be giving a Rocky Creek Viaduct project update. This will also give you a chance to see the major changes being done on the park entrance.
Month: October 2012
Rocky Creek Update
Caltrans released this update today:
Daytime roadwork continues from dawn until dusk next week. Overnight closures of Highway 1 at Rock Creek (Mile Marker 59.5) are scheduled to begin for four nights from Monday, Oct. 22 through Thursday, October 25 from 9 pm to 7 am each night.
At this time , no overnight closures are schedule for Wednesday, Oct. 31 or Thursday, Nov. 1 due to local events.
Rocky Creek Update
This Rocky Creek Update was just released by Caltrans:
Contractor is currently drilling at Bent 6 (Bent 5 similar) during the day shift. There appears to be enough area behind the k rail to performs the drilling without a full closure at these two locations.
Apparently this translates to it will slightly reduce the total number of closures needed for the project.
URGENT – Viaduct update
MONTEREY COUNTY – After further consultation with the contractor, daytime roadwork will occur from dawn until dusk beginning on Monday, Oct. 15 through Saturday, Oct. 20. No overnight closures of Highway 1 at Rocky Creek (Mile Marker 59.5) are currently scheduled for next week, Caltrans officials have announced.
Construction next week will consist of drilling to begin installing the viaduct columns.
Daytime roadwork will generally take place six days a week with one-way signalized traffic control. Traffic will be stopped for 10 minutes at a time. However, full overnight closures will be scheduled five nights a week Sundays through Thursdays. No full closures will occur on Friday/Saturday nights.
The project to construct a permanent viaduct about 15 miles south of Carmel near the Rocky Creek Bridge along Highway 1 began on Sept. 4. Completion is scheduled by Labor Day 2013, weather permitting.
Daily roadwork schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions and other factors.
Halloween Cat, and other photos
Here is Midnight, my kitten, fast growing up. Her sister, Moonlight, is identical. I tell them apart by two things: the tiny white tuffs in Midnight’s ears, and their personalities. Moonlight would never sit still for a portrait!
That one, and the ones which follow, we’re all taken Wednesday, the day of the big storm, when the sun came out, just before sunset.
And it is raining, again!
Yesterday, I ended the day with .40 of an inch, and today, around 4 o’clock, it started up again. Dogs and cats are inside, we are settled down for the night, and hoping I have enough battery power left in my solar system to run a light and a tv, later, when the one signal from Bakersfield starts coming in, again – usually around 7 pm or so. I have had so much sun all the time since I got my system in late spring, I have no idea how long the system will last with no sun. I got none today, but yesterday, it came in and out, so I haven’t a clue … Nor do I know how to read my fancy-smancy system to know how much battery power I have left, so will just be judicious in my use of power tonight. That’s now on my list of things to learn – my system, and how to read it!
I missed the sound of a gentle rain on my roof – the sweaters and cuddling under the down – the sound of a fire crackling and spitting at me. I have missed the smell of wet earth, and the silence that lies under the sound of rain. I have missed the sounds and smells of fall and winter, and the slower, quieter pace that comes with the shortness of days. It is good to have it back.
BTW, bigsurdeb notified me there was an error on the viaduct project website, of which I then notified Cal Trans. Hopefully, it has been corrected, but the current overnight closures are still scheduled to begin Sunday, October 14th at 9 pm.
Fall weather
3:00 – the sun has come out several times this afternoon, making my solar panels happy, then the rain has come, then the sun, then the rain. What a glorious dance we are doing today. The garden is smiling!
11:00 am update – WOW! Major storm up here! Heavy, heavy downpour, thunder and lightning right on top of me. Hail, amazing. One dog, Dakota, needs Rescue Remedy, and I have none. Even I am getting nervous. This is right on top of me. Oh, the joys of living on top of a mountain! All hell broke loose for the last 20 minutes (it is 11:20), but hoping it settles down. During one simultaneous strike and thunder, I yelled, “Holy sh*#” and scared my dogs even more. Now all four need the rescue remedy – an herbal calming recipe. First storm of the season is definitely exciting!
9:00 am – Fall arrived for me yesterday, when I took my winter comforter out of storage and put it on my bed and closed all the windows. The evening chill is here.
Today, clouds cover the sky, I woke to dampness on the deck, although no rain in the gauge, and at 9 am, thunder started. It is a deep, distant rumbling. I am hoping that if it gets closer, the rain will accompany it, so we don’t have a late lightning-sparked fire. My sweater is almost enough to take the chill off … a good thing, as my wood stove is apart, getting its yearly cleaning.
Every season is my favorite, when it first begins. I have tired of the heat and wearied of the dust, and thus, welcome fall with the joy of a change.
All the dogs, who have spent their days outside for months, decided today was an indoor day. They will add heat to a slightly chilly cottage. I will be keeping my eyes on the skies, as this thunder continues, but today and tomorrow, my dwindling appellate practice needs attention. It is winding down as the days of my retirement approach. A good day to be in my office! (BTW, the thunder has kept up for the last 1/2 hour.
Rocky Creek Viaduct web page
Cal Trans has established a web page devoted to this project. At the current time (I just checked it) it only has the artists rendering of how it will look when one is driving upon it. However, just today, Ken, the project manager, renewed his commitment to post all news releases and closure schedules on this page. I am posting a link here, but it will also “live” above in my permanent first post, called “Notices.”
Rocky Creek Viaduct Project
Bookmark it!
Further, Cal-Trans is announcing this afternoon that the first overnight closure has been moved up a day to Sunday October 14th, starting at 9 pm. Unless notified otherwise, assume that this is the beginning of the Sunday through Thursday closures, and that these overnight closures will last the rest of the week, opening up for Friday and Saturday.
Also note, we may have our first rain come in tomorrow. Will probably be scattered and not much, but anything to settle the dust will be most welcomed. Will check on this and post more later.
And another note, yesterday afternoon and evening saw two fires. One north at Jack’s Peak, and one south at Pico, just north of San Simeon. Both contained rapidly.
Health Clinic Fair
Big Sur Health Center Health Fair
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
The Big Sur Health Center Annual Health Fair is this Tuesday, October 9, at the Health Center between noon and 5 pm. We have all the free services listed below to help you stay healthy. There will be raffle prizes and healthy food to try including the ever popular smoothies. We hope to see you on Tuesday!
Services Provided Free
Cholesterol and Blood Sugar Testing
Dietitians to Provide Cholesterol and Diabetes Education
Bloodmobile
Flu Shots
Blood Pressure Testing
Lung Function Screening
Acupuncture
Dental screening by the new dentist
Representatives from the breast care center and stroke center
Information on GMO labeling
Healthy Food
Photos, Jade Festival 2012
As promised, here are a few more.
