Month: May 2019

Tourist Thursday, 5/9/19 – BSHY

A new instagram account has been created called Big Sur Hates You, modeled after Public Lands Hates You, a very popular IG account that has been getting a lot of press since the shut down which resulted in so much damage to Joshua National Park. BSHY is run by an anonymous Big Sur local and is only a few weeks old, but is already having an impact, as you will see from these recent posts

1. Standing in the middle of the highway –

4E2E414B-139B-4398-B687-FE3630A418CA

Response:

8A8A1BA4-0ACC-4B90-90E8-A32320499F7B

2. Messing with Marine Life:

A752E40E-5864-4CE2-A921-7418138869F5

Response:

4D0E9F1B-D495-47F6-B188-8A9E4A9E03A2

And the ever present fire danger:

 

And responses:

If you have photos of people behaving badly in Big Sur, send them to bigsurhatesyou@gmail.com

BTW, BSHY, if you happen to read this, there are a number of people who have asked me to give you a great big hug, so consider yourself hugged! I will be sending you tomorrow’s blog post (as a jpg) to add to your growing collection. 😉

Together we can help our visitors learn to care about Big Sur as much as we do. And while we are at it, take the Big Sur Pledge at Http://bigsurpledge.org and encourage others to do so as well.

 

 

 

Amgen bike race coming through next Wednesday

Today’s Date: Wednesday, May 8, 2019

District:            05–Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito and Santa  Cruz Counties

Contact:         Jim Shivers or Colin Jones

Phone:            (805) 549-3237 or (805) 549-3189 

AMGEN BICYCLE RACE TO MOVE THROUGH MONTEREY, SAN LUIS OBISPO AND SANTA BARBARA COUNTIES NEXT WEEK

 CENTRAL COAST – Stages Four and Five of The Amgen Tour of California Bicycle Race will move through Monterey, San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties next week using portions of the state highway system in the following locations during the daytime hours.

  • On Wednesday, May 15, the cyclists will leave Laguna Seca at 10 am and will use portions of State Routes 68 and 218 before traveling south on Highway 1 from Monterey before reaching Morro Bay in San Luis Obispo County at 3:45 pm.
  • On Thursday, May 16, the cyclists leave Pismo Beach at 10 am using Highway 1 before using portions of State Routes 154 and 192 in Santa Barbara County.  The cyclists will end their day at 3:45 pm in Ventura County.

The CHP will oversee traffic control during these moving closures.  Electronic message signs will be activated to inform the public about the cyclists and support vehicles.  The public may learn more about this event at:   http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/

For traffic updates on other state highways on the Central Coast motorists can call Caltrans District 5 Public Affairs at (805) 549-3318 or visit the District 5 website

at: http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist05/road_information.htm

Jim Shivers, Caltrans District 5, Public Information Officer, (805) 549-3237

Tourist Tuesday, Big Sur #8 on the list

Not welcome here: 8 popular places spurning tourists

Locals have had it with visitor hordes

Chris McGinnis

  • Bixby Bridge on Highway 1 is a highlight of the drive along the Pacific coast near Big Sur, Calif. The area attracts throngs of selfie-takers- and more recently protesters worried about overtourism Photo: DREW KELLY, NYT
“Photo: DREW KELLY, NYT
Image 1 of 10
Bixby Bridge on Highway 1 is a highlight of the drive along the Pacific coast near Big Sur, Calif. The area attracts throngs of selfie-takers- and more recently protesters worried about overtourism.”

 

“The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) just announced this week that worldwide international tourist arrivals (overnight visitors) increased 6 percent to 1.4 billion in 2018, clearly above the 3.7% growth registered in the global economy.

The steady growth of international leisure travel and the soaring demand of tourists for the ultimate Instagram selfie location have led some localities to realize that they just can’t handle the crush, so they are taking steps to keep visitor numbers to a comfortable level. Following are some places that really wouldn’t mind if you just stayed home.”

And, number 8: (note, at least they added our BigSurPledge!)

“8. Big Sur. The overtourism problem isn’t limited to exotic foreign destinations. Closer to home, Big Sur and the nearby Point Lobos State Natural Reserve are looking at ways to keep numbers to a manageable level. A few weeks ago, Big Sur residents gathered at the scenic Bixby Bridge to greet tourists who stopped for selfies with the bridge and/or the rugged coast in the background. Frustrated by increasing traffic and garbage in the area, the residents urged the visitors to behave respectfully and to be careful climbing around on the rocks. (One website named Bixby Bridge as the most Instagram-worthy destination for 2019.) Meanwhile, Point Lobos could soon become the first California state park to impose an advance reservation requirement on visitors during peak times. You can take the Big Sur pledge here..”

And some of you may have heard of, or are following the new IG account, Big Sur Hates You. (It had quickly evolved to be educational, rather than just shaming.)  It is making a difference, and I will cover that on Thursday.

Road & Lane Closures 5/5-5/11

Sorry I did not get this published on Friday when it was released, but here is the road work scheduled for this week. I deleted all those not in Big Sur.

TAMC CONE ZONE REPORT
ROAD AND LANE CLOSURES SCHEDULED FOR MAY 5 — MAY 11
MONTEREY COUNTY — Here are the major scheduled road and lane closures for Monterey County from Sunday, May 5 through Saturday, May 11 — newest information is in red. Please keep in mind that construction work is weather-dependent.

Highway 1: Lime Creek Bridge, Big Sur: May 6 — May 8
Lane closures will occur along southbound and northbound Highway 1 at Lime Creek Bridge in Big Sur for paving work from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Wednesday.

Highway 1: Granite Canyon Bridge, Big Sur: May 6 — May 10
One-way traffic controls will be in place on northbound and southbound Highway 1 at the Granite Canyon Bridge in Big Sur for bridge work from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Mondaythru Thursday. Work hours on Friday will be 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Highway 1: Yankee Point Drive — Malpaso Creek Bridge, Big Sur: May 6 — May 10  One-way traffic controls will be in place on northbound and southbound Highway 1 between Yankee Point Drive/Mal Paso Road and the Malpaso Creek Bridge in Big Sur for bridge work from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Monday thru Thursday. Work hours on Friday will be 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Highway 1: Carmel River Bridge — Oliver Road, Carmel: May 6 — May 10
One-way traffic controls will be in place on northbound and southbound Highway 1 between Carmel River Bridge and Oliver Road in Carmel for bridge work from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Monday thru Thursday. Work hours on Friday will be 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Highway 1: Juan Higuera Creek Bridge — Molera Park Entrance/Coast Road, Big Sur:  May 6 — May 10
Lane closures will occur along southbound and northbound Highway 1 between Juan Higuera Creek Bridge and Molera Park Entrance/Coast Road for paving work from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m Monday through Friday.

Highway 1: Rocky Creek Bridge, Big Sur: May 6 — May 10
One-way traffic controls will be in place on Highway 1 at the Rocky Creek Bridge for bridge work from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Monday thru Thursday. Work hours on Friday will be 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Big Sur Fire – 45th Anniversary

Beautiful Day, wonderful people. Did you know that about 3/4 of our brigade are cross-trained in firefighting, EMS, AND cliff-rescue? Nice to have all the talent and training at our disposal. Nice to see so many people. I was too busy talking to them, to get photos of any! But here is equipment:

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Big Sur Saturday Tidbits, 5/4/19

Monterey American Aug 31st 1916

A big smoke on the Coast Ridge north of Cone Peak and the Gamboa Trail was reported almost simultaneously by E. E. Murry on the Jolon road and by Ranger Abbott from Pine Ridge and Guard Bixby from Chew’s Ridge Lookout.  Supervisor Merrill telephoned to Guards William Twitchel and Ed. Burns, who hurried to the scene, while Ed. Dutton dispatched to men from Jolon with provisions.  Later Jim Stanley followed up with reinforcements.  According to the latest reports the fire has covered about fifty acres, but it is believed to be under control.

(Provided by Sylvia Trotter Anderson)

The Dangers of Illegal Off roading

This was taken last year, but as the prolific grasses are drying out, I am reminded of this, and how dangerous it is. Besides destroying the environment, causing erosion which washes out the road below (not shown in photo), off roading can cause a wildfire if the grasses catch from your muffler or catalytic converter. Why take a chance? Stay on the roads please.

245F2270-8A5B-4F0C-927A-71C13C09144A

And now, a growing number of “Subaru Ambassadors” have found these spots (the one below is just up the road from this one above) and more and more Subarus are coming every weekend. A month ago, it was a group of 4 Subarus. This past weekend, it was those four, plus four more, and at least two more want to join the group on the next trip.

29B89553-2566-4CC3-970F-A4D1B95534E3

May 1, 2019 SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) – The National Interagency Fire Center is predicting a heavy wildfire season for areas along the West Coast of the United States this summer.

The Boise, Idaho-based center said Wednesday that most of the country can expect a normal wildfire season in the period from May through August.

But the states of California, Washington and Oregon are an exception.

The agency says a heavy crop of grasses and fine fuels has developed across California and should elevate fire potential as it dries through the summer.

 

Tourist Thursday, 5/2/19 – Unhashtag Big Sur!

We need a new campaign – Unhashtag Big Sur! And it wouldn’t be hard to do, nor cost a lot of money. Here is one Vienna is doing:

Enjoy Vienna. Not #Vienna

Unhashtag your vacation!

“Social media allows us to travel the world everyday – without even getting up off the couch. But the places we swipe through are not filled with life or memories – they’re littered with hashtags and diluted by filters.

This is an invitation from Vienna – an ideal place for a little bit of digital detox and for creating moments that you, and you alone, can treasure forever. Because Vienna is far more colorful when not seen through the lens of a smartphone camera.

So whip out your city map, make plans and throw them away again. Simply let your senses guide you. And no worries, you won’t go cold turkey when you give yourself a day offline.”

They have sections to explore on:

1. Six signs you should think about a digital detox

2. Influencers on digital detox

3. Best places for digital detox

4. Vacations for your smart phone

5. See Klimt not #Klimt

6. Inspiration for offline activities

7. Meditation on Tram D

To explore this wonderful campaign further see: https://unhashtag.vienna.info/en-us

 

Big Sur Fire 45th Anniversary Open House

Contact: Chief Matt Harris, 831.667.2113 or email lweeks@bigsurfire.org

​​

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  April 29, 2019

Big Sur Fire Hosts Community Open House at Station 1

Celebrating 45 Years of Emergency Services in Big Sur

Big Sur, CA – Big Sur Fire (BSF) announces a Community Open House celebrating its 45th Anniversary of serving Big Sur Saturday, May 4, 2019 from 1 pm until 4 pm at Station 1 (47900 Highway 1) in Big Sur.

Big Sur Fire was formed in 1974 to provide structure fire protection for the residents and businesses in the Big Sur area.  BSF now provides both structure and wildland fire protection, along with rescue and emergency medical response for the Big Sur community and its over 5 million annual visitors. BSF remains an all-volunteer company, with about 25 members, responding to an area which covers almost 60 miles of coastline along Highway One.  

May 4 also marks the celebration of International Firefighters’ Day – a time where the world’s community can recognize and honor the sacrifices that firefighters make to ensure that their communities and environment are as safe as possible. It is also a day in which current and past firefighters can be thanked for their contributions.  The program honoring all current and past Big Sur Volunteer Fire Brigade members (the original incorporated name) will be held at 2: 30 pm.  Former BSF Firefighter John Handy will be the Master of Ceremonies for the event.  

Big Sur Fire will have its apparatus on display and firefighters are available to answer questions.  The day will include photos with fire apparatus; demonstrations of fire equipment; and lots of good food provided by Big Sur’s finest.  Donations are coming from Treebones; Esalen Institute; Coast Gallery & Café; Deetjen’s; Sierra Mar at Post Ranch Inn; Big Sur Bakery; Big Sur Taphouse; Fernwood; and Big Sur River Inn.

“We are so fortunate to have the support from our Big Sur community for this special 45thAnniversary Celebration.  Post Ranch Inn and all of the fine restaurants in Big Sur have made this day possible,” Big Sur Fire Chief Matt Harris said. “We look forward to seeing many of our old friends who have participated in the Brigade over these past 45 years.”

 

Park and Shuttle will be at Post Ranch Inn.    

 

The mission of the Big Sur Fire is to provide dependable fire protection and emergency services for Big Sur with teamwork, respect and integrity.