This unusual pine is on my property. Why I never saw it before, and how it got this way is one of the many mysteries of Mother Nature and Big Sur. That’s why I am here.
And here is a closer look.
Category: Classic Big Sur
Best of the Rest of Big Sur
Okay, I finally got around to reading the Best of Monterey County issue of the MC Weekly and ran across The Best Bartender (Ira Comello) and knew I had to do this post. I noted a number of other wonderful contributions to what makes this county, and Big Sur, unique. I’d like to pay tribute to them
First, has to be the iconic gateway.
But the one that caught my eye, was Best Bartender – Ira ComelloWhile not living here at the moment, he grew up here, his dad lives here, he graduated from Pacific Valley School, AND I taught him in High School!
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“Personality One” Part 2
“Personality One” Part 1
Jesse’s Celebration of Life
Paolo did a great job of getting invites out to almost everyone, but if you missed it, it will be held Saturday, March 22 at 11 at Pacific Valley School, across from Sand Dollar. Bring stories, being music, and being your best Jesse smiles to share.
The “Personality One” by Don Harlan, or How Elephant’s Trunk Got its Name – Introduction
Don Harlan is the original road warrior. He worked Highway One for many, many years. He was the Supervisor at Willow Springs when Rock Knocker first came to work there in 1980. Don was part of the Lucia Loge Harlan’s and grew up and was schooled down here. He had many road stories, dating back to the 30s, when he watched the north and southern portions connect.
In 1971 he wrote an article which is passed on to the Supervisors (foremen in Don’s time) who work this section of the Highway. Greg DeAlba, the current supervisor shared this with me, and I think it would make an interesting serial for this blog. In it, Don describes the various trouble spots and how they came to be named. There is nothing PC about this piece, but it is a delight to read, both for the historical value and for Don’s writing style. He was one of a kind. Long after he retired, he showed up to Rock Knocker’s and my wedding in his hard hat. He never left home without it.
On Mondays, absent an emergency fire, flood, or road closure, I will be offering a segment of this piece, as it is 11 pages, single spaced. I am taking photographs of each portion, rather than re-typing it so that it is entirely true to the man Don was – and I can’t mess it up! Look for part 1 next Monday.
Bicycle Accident at Mud Creek Follow-up
I just received this comment for approval, and I thought my readers would be interested in this follow-up. Nice to know how he is doing! And we are all happy it turned out so well. It is attached to the story I did in Sept. of 2012 about the bicycle accident at Mud Creek. Thanks for writing, David!
Big Sur Kate and all those involved,
I want to first say THANK YOU!!!!!! words don’t say enough to thank all those who have helped me.
My name is David Clark(dclark73@gmail.com) I am the Firefighter who was involved in the bicycle accident about 17 months ago in Sept 0f 2012 near mud creek outside of Gorda in Big Sur.
Im sorry its taken this long to find this site and write this thanks. I hope it finds all of those involved. Thanks To all of you amazing people who helped me I am doing much better. On the way to get back to work and full recovery! It was really close. Torn Spleen and TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) all while using a helmet, thankfully! I dont want to be too long-winded on here, but there were and still are a lot of angels on my side!
If any of you have any questions, please feel free to email me. at above address.
And I’d love to hear from anyone who may have any and I mean ANY info about my accident. Still after all this time still trying to piece things together.
Thank you for this Site. It has been amazing for my friends, Family, and myself!
JUst remember the little things we do, can change lives forever, They changed mine!!!
Thank you!
David M Clark (dclark73@gmail.com)
BSMAAC Meeting 2/28 at 10 am – Highway One projects
When the agenda comes out, I will post it here, but I have a heads up about yet other Cal-Trans projects which will be leave the highway with one lane for both directions for a year or longer. Two of the 3 projects overlap and will have an impact on the South Coast – Elephants Trunk (down by Ragged Point) in October of this year, and Cow Cliffs (just north of Big Creek) starting in March of 2015. For 7 months or more, those of us on the South Coast between those points will have to deal with the lengthy lines that occur from the stoppage of traffic, no matter which direction we go. The third project is scheduled to impact the area between Hurricane Point and the new Rocky Creek Viaduct, but won’t start until July of 2018. That project and the Cow Cliffs project are scheduled to be added to the agenda for the 28th. The Elephant’s Trunk project was previously presented. Here is some information on the projects to be presented on the 28th.
Los Burros Mine, 1958
Gerald A. Doyle (front) and James B. Pauley at the Los Burros mine in southern Monterey County in the Los Padres National Forest. James B. Pauley and Gerald A. Doyle were prospecting the mine for gold. Photo: Peter Breinig, 3/4/58 (From The Herald Archives) While this is labeled as being The Los Burros Mine, it might be mislabeled and might actually be the Kinder Mine, which Doyle owned about this time. I know the current owner, so will try to verify. The Kinder Mine is in the Los Burros Mining District.
Per the current owner of the Kinder:
“Hi Kate…. No.. that is over on the Ancona on ______… Those two had a great thing going… Too bad they had to give it up…. Some of their ore was fantastic… ” Mining is no longer allowed in the Silver Peak Wilderness, EXCEPT for valid claims that existed BEFORE the creation of the wilderness and which have been kept up.
Fungus Face-off
I have a confession … I am not fond of fungus, but I tasted some offerings that were amazing. Who would have thought fungus could be such an incredible Macaroon? (Ventana) or boar served on baquette (Ripplewood) or Carnitas-mushroom soup (Roadhouse) to mention but three. Everything was spectacular and I am already salivating for next year. Ventana did the superb job one would expect from such an establishment.
