Open Letter of Gratitude to the Big Sur Community

An Open Letter to the Big Sur Community:

On March 30^th, my daughter and I were among those trapped in the Highway One Rocky Creek Slip Out. This letter is written with the hope that our overwhelming gratitude is communicated to all those in Monterey County and the Big Sur Community who took such wonderful care of us and other visitors, during this Saturday night and Easter Sunday.

Starting at 4 PM on Saturday, as we were finishing a late lunch at Nepenthe, we were informed of the slippage and road closure in both directions. In the early hours, all anyone knew was we were stuck in the area for at least the night and much more likely, for a few days or even more. Talk of possible helicopter rescues and walk throughs were added to the mix of possibilities.

Needless to say, we were scared and unsure what to do, as all of our possessions were at the Pine Inn in Carmel. We made our way to the General Store at the Big Sur River Inn and stocked up on essentials, such as water and sweatshirts to stay warm and hydrated. With our cell phones draining as we made calls to find a room and to your amazing Big Sur Public Emergency department, my daughter asked to charge her cell phone at the River Inn front desk, and they willingly agreed. That led to an amazing connection with what has to be the most comforting General Manager at the River Inn, Colin Twohig. He listened as we explained our situation and reassured us that the community was set up to help us and not to worry. We sat on a couch at the rear of their restaurant, and he introduced us to Rafi, an employee of the Inn and a firefighter in the area. He told us that his neighbor, Melina Mara, had a small cabin room to offer us overnight. Her hospitality and kindness was beyond our imagination. After a scary drive up a long, dark, and winding road, we hunkered down for the night. In the morning, she invited us up to her main house, made coffee, offered food and comfort, and assured us she would be letting us know of any developments as soon as they happened.

And soon they did! At around 11 AM, she let us know there would be a convoy of cars allowed to leave on the Northbound lane starting at noon. We left immediately and lined up around nine miles south of the slip point. At exactly noon, the line began slowly moving forward and by about 1 PM, we passed the danger spot where seemingly, a bite had been taken out of the southbound lane. Our joy and sense of gratitude simply exploded!

The coordination of so many groups and the number of people in your amazing community who came together on a Sunday to help others is an inspiration to us and should be a model for any neighborhood across America in what caring for others looks like! The Pine Inn in Carmel held our room and Annette at the Front Desk stayed in contact with us and welcomed us with open arms when we returned. The California Highway Patrol, the Big Sur Fire Department, the Community Association of Big Sur, and the Monterey County Sheriff’s department had dozens of personnel stationed on the road directing traffic and assessing the situation. CalTrans5 updated their website as often as they could and the hospitality industry in the area set up a conference room for anyone who needed to stay warm at the Big Sur Lodge. So many and hotels offered discount or free rooms to those in need. 

This is a community filled with people who opened their hearts and pocketbooks to make a tenuous situation bearable for strangers and we now have a renewed sense of gratitude and appreciation for the importance of helping others whenever possible. 

All of your kindnesses will never be forgotten!

Melinda and Kelsey Kopp