Category: Classic Big Sur

The Evolution of bigsurkate

Today, I found out quite by accident that WordPress has been running google ads on my blog without my knowledge and without payment to me for the last couple of months. These ads are completely hidden from me, although at least one reader in Fresno (my blogging buddy and friend Firefighter Mike) can see them.

I guess I’ve hit the blogger big time or something. I don’t like the fact that I have no control over these ads or which ones are displayed. I don’t like that it might look as if I am endorsing or giving preferential treatment to one local business over another. I am trying to find out how to resolve that and the lack of payment for hosting advertisements.

One way, is to sign up for ads myself, which I just did, but I am not sure that is the best way. I don’t know that I will have much, if any, control, and I would still have to share advertising profits 50/50 with WordPress. I have been proud of the fact that bigsurkate has been commercial free, completely independent and self-sufficient. That might have to change in order to keep blogging.

Another possibility is to migrate my entire blog over to my own site with an independent host. I can have that done for $99, and save all content, and supposedly my standing with google. This is a bit expensive, and I am not confident about the loss of content. As to standing – well that is both a blessing and a curse, so not a particularly big issue, unless I am selling advertising space.

So, in the meantime, bigsurkate is evolving and changing, but the content will not change. It is not going anywhere, or if it must, you will be redirected.

Pt. Lobos views

I don’t take the time – I don’t MAKE the time to stop in Point Lobos, like I used to when I lived in Palo Colorado Canyon. My focus has become more narrow – the south coast is my coast, now.

So, when Dan Danbom sends me some great shots he took there yesterday, and as this is a slow “news” day, I am posting them here so we can all enjoy them. Thanks again, Dan!

Dan hardly ever does B&W, which is my favorite, but here he was led to by the conditions, and he is correct. The strength of the composition here carries the shot.

B&W by Dan Danbom

Pt. Lobos Joy by Dan Danbom

China Cove by Dan Danbom

Big Sur River Magic

Gabriel Hyppolite sent me these photos taken yesterday of his unique perspective on the Big Sur River, and I think you will agree with me that these photos show the magic that is here. Elegant photographs, thank you, Gabriel!

Bridge, by Gabriel Hyppolite

Stonework by the River, by Gabriel Hyppolite

Mist on the River, by Gabriel Hyppolite

BTW, it is only 39 degrees and it is almost noon!!

Photos by Readers

I’ll be posting photos by readers of Big Sur and surrounds here, on this post, as they come in today, and the post below will carry the updates of the weather throughout the day. So, will have two posts to update and for you to read today. Hope you enjoy!

A touch of Snow by Debbie Reed

Snow on Logpile in Santa Margarita by Dave Zingg

Big Sur River #1 by Gabriel Hyppolite

Big Sur River #2 by Gabriel Hyppolite

Waterfall by Gabriel Hyppolite

BSMAAC Meeting report

Yesterday’s meeting was very informative, and led by Bill Monning, managed to stay on schedule and on time. It was nice to see our new Sheriff, Scott Miller in attendance, as well as PUSD Superintendant, Rayanne Thomasson. Here are just a few of the reports given by various attendees.

State Assembly Member Bill Monning reported on the current status of the Coastal Trail project, then called on other core members of the team developing the planning process document for their assessments. Mike Caplin and Jack Ellwanger both provided their positions, while members Honey Williams and Betty Withrow stood on Monning’s report. The current configuration of the trail process can be obtained from Noelle White, Monning’s aide. The next meeting of the planning process group will be held February 22nd from 3-5 pm

Of course, budgets, federal, state, and local were a great part of the reporting by various agencies. It affects services governmental agencies can provide. Sherry Tune, of the USFS reported that forest wide, the Los Padres National Forest is under injunction from a law suit filed by Los Padres Forest Watch preventing any road maintenance, until a more current up-to-date biological report can be created.

Bad news for me and other users of Plaskett, which hasn’t been graded in 10 years. South Coast Ridge Rd. was graded this past spring, so it should be alright this year. Willow Creek Rd. and Nacemiento Rd. are both county, so should not be affected.

Also of note to Big Surians, the AMAGEN bicycle race is back on Highway One this year, but it is to be held in May.

Finally, meetings which are of note coming up are: March 8th and 9th with the USFS regarding the proposed Milpitas Special Interest Area in and around The Indians, Junipero Serra Peak, and Merle Ranch. These meetings will be held in the King City USFS office. March 10th and 19th, CPOA and Sam Farr are hosting a meeting regarding HR 4040- the proposal to create the Monterey District Unit of the Los Padres National Forest. These meetings will be at 10am and held at the Conference Center at the Big Sur Lodge at Big Sur State Park.

Lots of information this past week, and will be covering the upcoming storms next week, but I would love to post some photos and art for a change of pace the next few days.

Honey Rose

Our Big Sur Sister passed today, the 25th of January 2011 at the age of 63 to a heart attack. We will all miss you, Honey, but you left us quite a legacy — your six kids, who now have kids of their own. Blessings to them, and may your journey be filled with love.

Honey Rose by Tzila Z Duenzl

Easy Fundraiser for Pacific Valley School

From Lisa Gering:

For you travelers out there, here’s an easy way to help Pacific Valley School in Big Sur. Many thanks in advance! J Lisa

HERE’S YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO HELP PACIFIC VALLEY SCHOOL.

Travel4School, one of the largest affiliates in the world for Hotels.com and Expedia, has created a no hassle way for you to generate cash – anytime you travel for business or pleasure, 5% of the room rate is automatically sent to Pacific Valley School. The school uses the funding to support a variety of programs such as the music program and field trips.

NO buying or selling anything.
NO contracts to sign.
NO work to do.

Remember, Travel4School gives you access to Hotels.com and Expedia at their lowest guaranteed rates to over 50,000 hotels worldwide. And because they are backed by Performance Media, one of Inc. Magazine’s fastest growing private companies three years running, you can count on them to provide a reliable, high
quality experience. Just click on the link below to book your stay.
http://www.travel4school.com/CA/PACIFICVALLEYSCHOOL

Red Tail & Sunshine Alley

Oh, how I miss you two. These two were the communication central for the South Coast for DECADES. They are both still around, just not here.

Sunshine Alley lived at the bottom of Plaskett. She had a “land line” and CB. Family and/or friends trying to get ahold of someone in the hills often had Sunshine Alley’s phone number and would call her to relay a message. I would hear her voice on the CB at night calling to one person or another, “Hey, Ridge Rover, your brother called. Give him a call when you can.” “10-4, Sunshine Alley. How are you and Sandy doing?”

That is how we kept up and in contact, in the before days – before widespread internet. Familiar voices were much more personal.

Then, there was Red Tail. Red Tail was the communication link. He listened to the scanners 24/7, and broadcast over the CBs of fire, road conditions, and other news to all of us. He also had a land line. We would call him for updates, questions, and information.

I miss them both so much. They are both still with us, but Sunshine Alley is in Arroyo Grande, and Red Tail is in San Jose. Red Tail still stays in contact with most of us, but Sunshine Alley cannot. It is not the same anymore. While the news is conveyed – the blog, the internet, the emails are not the same as the familiar voices over the CB at night. I still have my CB and my scanner, but the CB is not hooked up, and its antenna blew away years ago. The scanner is never used, as I listen to the online scanner when I know something is going on, but never 24/7.

Whatever I contribute, it will NEVER compare to the decades of community service and communication these two dedicated to the South Coast of Big Sur. I miss you guys!

Mystical Forest

During the winter, I get to photograph the forest while it slumbers. It is magical and primeval. It whispers its secrets and beckons to enter the world beyond the fog.

The Portal

Subtle Shapes

Vivid Colors

These three shots graphically illustrate why I love shooting in the fog. All these photos were shot Friday, at 400 ISO, with a speed of 1/125 and the camera choosing the f-stop to match lighting conditions. Despite the similarities in shooting specs, the photos are all completely different – from low contrast and color to the very vivid. This is due to the fog and its density. One can go only a few hundred yards, and the quality of the fog, and thus the photograph, is completely different. It is not difficult to shoot in the fog and the results can be wonderful.

Rachael Short’s Fundraiser

First, let me commend River Inn for an excellent job. It was all well organized, on short notice, and it all went incredibly smoothly. The entire staff was well prepared and the service and food were excellent. In my 25 years of patronizing the River Inn, I have never seen so many people fit inside the restaurant! To me, it epitomized the best of Big Sur.

Silent auction

The Crowd

Through the Front Window

And last but not least – something a bit different. I don’t like flash, and the lighting conditions in the restaurant were great for dinner, conversation, and overall coziness, but not ideal for photographing without a flash, so I experimented with this one.

The MC

Sorry it took so long, but today’s internet connection was very uncooperative. Starting tomorrow, it will be storm tracking. There is still a possibility of snow up here on Sunday, which, if it occurs, may impact my ability to get to the Celebration for Seanan Moses on Sunday.