Okay, I admit…I took the day off. Two of my girlfriends were back in town, and I hadn’t seen one in a year and a half, another in over 6 months. I did my best to stay off line, and did a damn fine job … But now I have to catch up.
The USFS closed the forest down here, sometime between 3-6 pm. Despite the closure, I had to stop and ask one group to put out their camp fire. They were very cooperative. I had to stop and tell 3 other groups the forest was closed and suggested they drink all the beer they wanted tonight, forego coffee in the am, and leave as soon as they got up and packed. 
Here is the official notice:
Notice anything “odd” about the above map? This puts “Gorda” where Pacific Valley is – north of Plaskett Creek Campground. In reality, Gorda is 5 miles south of the campground.
I have to say, I am so happy to see that you kept up the information flow and posted comments, and information while I was gone today. I have been asked to be interviewed by a number of magazines and radio shows that express their awe of what this Big Sur Community is about. They get it. It is not me … It is us. We work together, we help each other, we keep one another informed. Bigsurkate is a community effort, and no one “gets that” more than I do. I feel so honored to be a part of this wonderful network. We are setting an example for so many people, agencies, and organizations. I hope you are all proud of us. I am.
And here is an impressive plume from behind Partington, taken by Marcus Foster this afternoon:
