Category: Classic Big Sur

A tree grows in Big Sur

Yesterday, I received this short article and photo from Howard Jones, and I liked it so much, I asked if I could reprint it here. I loved that it tells a story that is so indicative of Big Sur.

“The Winter after the 2008 Basin Complex Fires in Big Sur was wet, with any number of mudslides…falling branches, crashing trees, etc. Yet, it was no where near as catastrophic as we were prepared for…thank goodness . One of my favorite stories during that time was of a smallish Sycamore tree that had slid down a slope in a mudslide. Instead of discarding it, the men working that day moved the displaced tree to one of the larger dirt “pull-offs” along HWY 1 and set it up to bury its roots and rejoice in its new, and much safer, home. At the time, it was about 6-8 feet tall…
I had mentioned this story to my mother a few weeks back and today I was able to actually allow her to meet ‘face-to-face’ with ‘the tree that grows in Big Sur.’
I get a very special feeling whenever I drive by that tree and that spot. The Love & Renewal Energies cause my smile muscles to explode and a wave of
Cosmic…”ALL IS WELL!!!” washes over me.
As you can see, that little tree is alive, well and quite a healthy young adult!’
take care, Howard”
howard jones photography

By the way, he has some wonderful photographs of our coast and has had exhibitions from Ventana to Carmel.

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Big Sur River Run

Big Sur River Run XXXIV
Saturday, October 25th, 2014

Contact Information:
Race information: The Treadmill Carmel- (831) 624-4112
Press Release Contact Information: Kirk Gafill Co-Race Director- (831) 667-7326

Details:
Saturday, October 25th, 2014
Starting line: Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
Race begins at 10am sharp.

Overview:
The Big Sur River Run’s 5k walk and certified 10k courses are flat, black-top loops that follow the Big Sur River through towering redwoods. Founded in 1980 the Big Sur River Run 501(c)3 is a fun, community-oriented fundraiser for the Big Sur Volunteer Fire Brigade and Big Sur Health Center. Nearly one year after the destruction of the Pfeiffer Fires that claimed 32 homes, the BSVFB and the BSHC are in need of more support than ever. Both organizations rely on the community to help raise funds to continue maintaining the health and safety of Big Sur residents and visitors. Last year $38,000 was distributed to both BSVFB and BSHC (ie: $19,000 each). Over the last 33 years, $833,000 has been distributed to the Big Sur emergency and health services organizations.

Prizes will be awarded to the top finishers of each category. A 10 minute massage will be offered to 10k finishers and local musicians will play at the Start/Finish line of the race. Overall the Big Sur River Run is a great way to experience and support the Big Sur community spirit.

Registration:
Registration is still available online at: http://www.bigsurriverrun.org or in person on the day of the event. Participants requiring day of race registration should arrive no later than 9:00 AM to ensure a prompt start time. The races are limited to the first 1,000 participants. Registration fee includes long sleeve t-shirt with the annual design by local artist, Shell Fisher.

Volunteer & Sponsorship Opportunities:​
Interested volunteers are welcome to contact us to learn how to get involved: volunteer@bigsurriverrun.org
To help sponsor the event, contact Meredith Gafill at sponsorships@bigsurriverrun.org

The BSRR is an all-volunteer operation that has raised $833,000 for the two beneficiaries thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, race participants and volunteers. This year is no exception.

Thank you to our sponsors (list may be incomplete at this time):
Nepenthe: Main Event Sponsor
Big Sur Bakery, Big Sur Builders, Big Sur Deli & Taphouse, Big Sur River Inn, Big Sur Roadhouse, Blaze Engineering, Deetjen’s, Fernwood Resort, Glen Oaks, The Treadmill Carmel, Treebones Resort, Riverside Campgrounds, Rider Construction, Ventana Inn & Spa

Stay Tuned for Updates:
Follow the BSRR on Facebook for more exciting news and up to date information.

Information for Visitors:
Visit http://www.bigsurriverrun.org or http://www.bigsurcalifornia.org for more information about lodging, restaurants and shopping while visiting Big Sur.

Jade Festival Photos

What a weekend! I was too busy to get any but a couple of shots, but I have collected a few from others I wish to share. There were several world famous musicians who played.

Here is a phtograph of Danny Weis, one of the founding members of Iron Butterfly … photo by bigsurkate

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Here is a wonderful close-up of a piece of Jade by Howard Jones. More at

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I have a few more I will be adding throughout the day, but I must first add a thank you to the core members of the SCCLT who do the vast majority of the work in setting this up: Syd Carr for the incredible music and volunteers; Kirk Brock who brings the diverse array of vendors to us each year; Steve Finch, who was in charge of almost everything else; and Lisa Gehring who controls all the money. The school and PTO had a number of booths, not the least of which was the BBQ booth, led by Gordon Pfiffero and Josh Wilson. It was the best! And for one of the most important, and least recognized jobs of all – trash and recycling, Gail Dinsmore. To all who contributed in all ways great and small – we keep getting better each year due to the hard work you all contribute to this community event.

More photos later.
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The Jade Lady by Gary Gowdy, one of my favorite pieces, photographed by Kalamakuaikalani D.

Tribute to Honey Jack

I don’t like doing death announcements on my blog, but by now, most people know that Honey Jack (Koch) left us on Tuesday, the 16th. He went off the road going up to Pfeiffer Ridge.

I did not know Jack, other than seeing him around. But after his passing, I wish I had. Everyone I have spoken with has told me what a valuable, sweet, open hearted member of the community he was. I heard story after story about his contributions to his landlords, neighbors, and friends. Most of Big Sur Valley has benefitted by his presence in our midst, and he will be greatly missed by the community that loved him.

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Photo by Trey Kropp.

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photo from the Big Sur Bakery Cookbook.

Blessings on your journey, Jack. May you reunite with friends and loved ones.

Support for PV School’s Organic Garden

Kate, I am trying to drum up support from the Big Sur community and avid visitors to validate that the improvements to Pacific Valley School’s existing organic garden described in the attached site plan will provide a legitimate new public access opportunity for visitors. I have a funding source that wants to contribute $75K towards this project but one of the parties that oversees this funding source needs to be convinced the public access opportunity is legitimate (and not a private benefit to the school). The fund overseer doesn’t know the South Coast very well and so they don’t understand that the School is uniquely located walking distance to the South Coast’s primary visitor access areas (Sand Dollar Beach and Plaskett Campground). Moreover, the Pacific Valley School already hosts a number of public events including the Jade Festival, the Spring Tide Festival, and the Earth Day Hike where folks could easily saunter over to the garden. All in all, it would be easy for folks to explore the garden while enjoying a sunset picnic. There will be benches and picnic tables along with interpretive signs to share local history and the unique qualities of Pacific Valley School (which is completely off the grid).

The garden would be open weekends, holidays, and after school hours (the times of greatest visitor use). No trees will be removed for the garden upgrades and no slopes will be graded. Notices will be posted at the Sand Dollar and Plaskett bulletin boards to invite the public to explore the garden. The proposed fencing is just open mesh deer fencing to avoid any visual distractions from Highway One.

I’m feel strongly about this project because I camp with my kids at Plaskett and know that other visitors would enjoy exploring the gardens and its views. If I can get a handful of 2 or 3 sentence emails of support, I feel good we can get this funding in place. Folks can just send a quick email to pacificvalleygarden@yahoo.com . (Ed. Note – Angus told me he would like to gather these emails by July 10th.)

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Pfeiffer Fire, 6 months later

The BSMAAC Meeting ended at 1:00 pm. I was meeting friends at 4:00 in Big Sur. Hm… Go to town or staying in Big Sur Valley?

Ray Sanborn was in the audience. He and his wife Celia lost their house. It has been six month, so I thought I would do a follow-up. I got the combo, directions, then went to lunch before I headed up the hill. I had my camera, so photos were to be taken, and a report written after I see it and talk to the residents.

Life always returns.

CPOA reported at the BSMAAC Meeting that they raised just over 1/2 million dollars, and have distributed just under that amount to homeowners and renters. Over $100,000 of the money collected was designated for a particular family or purpose. Ray Sanborn had nothing but good things to say about how CPOA handled the donations and distributions.

Tim Short, District Ranger reported that the investigation into the cause of the fire is still on-going. He apologized for the delay, but said it was a different branch, over which he had no control or influence.

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And sometimes, we throw the unexpected into the mix. As Celia did.

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The day I was there, Friday, they got the news that the county approved their temporary site, so this week, after six months in a motel room at Glen Oaks, they will be moving back onto their land, and they can work their magic daily.