Category: Classic Big Sur

So much to report, so little time…Big Sur update

Had a great time on the coast today. Saw many, caught up on much, had a few adventures, and made it home … barely. 

Stories tomorrow, and possibly a photo or two, but tonight, a factual report about conditions. Kirk Creek Campground was full at 11 am, but had spaces again this evening. Limekiln is still closed, but rumor has it it will open as soon as possible, but no date. Every empty campsite at the Big Sur State Park had a “Reserved for Tonight” sign. Construction going on on Highway One in three different places: Rain Rocks, near Limekiln; Lucia; and the entrance for the State Park. Delays are minimal at all three places.

Stay tuned for a more detailed analysis tomorrow.

Big Sur State Park update

As promised, Big Sur State Park opened in time for Memorial Day Weekend. On Friday, May 22nd, at approximately 1:30 pm, a ribbon cutting ceremony launched the opening of the Bailey Bridge to a crowd of dignitaries, local residents, and anxious visitors. 90 minutes after the State Park opened, all campsites were filled for the weekend, and by the end of the day, over 1000 reservations were made for this summer.

 Camping reservations began Friday and can be made through Reserve America at www.reserveamerica.com or by calling (800) 444-PARK (444 7275).

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On another note, from KION-TV, residents should not be alarmed to witness a low-flying airplane over parts of the west-central California Coast, part of the Los Padres National Forest, and an area east of Greenfield starting around May 22. 

For about two months, an airplane operated under contract to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) will be making low-level flights. The survey will cover the cities of Big Sur, Soledad, Greenfield, and numerous other towns in the area with the purpose of collecting and recording geologic measurements. 

This survey is designed to remotely study geologic and hydrologic units that lie below land surface. It is part of an ongoing USGS program to identify features such as changes in rock types, ultimately providing a better understanding of the geology and hydrology of the area.

Big Sur International Marathon

The leaders may have already made the finish line, and the road should be almost back to normal by around noon. CONGRATULATIONS to ALL the runners! For any additional information, see the link under non-profits.

My son ran a couple years ago, and is running again next year.

Missing Man & Recovered Woman

Big Sur is a place where strange things happen, sometimes. People tend to run away from family, friends, or society here. They may unwittingly join the “West of Highway One Club.” In the past few days, we have had both happen. The lady who joined the West of Highway One Club is okay. She sur-vived and made it out. The 30-year-old man,Stephen Cunniff, finally made it back to the highway after 6 days missing. And not too long ago, the man who ran from the cops, and ultimately committed suicide, chose Big Sur as his portal to another life.

Something about Big Sur calls to lost souls — those who need healing. They seek it in countless ways. Some of us stay, when we find that healing energy we have been seeking. Others, pass on or through. 

Whatever one seeks, Big Sur so unerringly provides.

Life in the Wilderness, 4/20/09

Two stories, and I will try to keep them short, but hopefully interesting.

Remember my post a few days about about trespassers? Wow, did that spark some debate at the Ventana Wilderness Alliance. So far, it is about even between those outraged by my declarations re my private property rights, and those who defend my right to be suspicious of trespassers, with those supporting me gaining a slight lead.

I had no idea people could get so het up about my private property rights. It got really hot today, and I don’t mean the weather. Some posters are very supportive, and others, not so much. Funny, sort of like the trespassers I meet up here: some nice, some not so.You can follow the whole debate; the good, the bad, and the ugly here: 

Ventana Wilderness Forums • View topic – Private Property & Silver Peak Wilderness.

Second, you remember when Dakota was missing for 3 days and I found her shut inside a storage trailer? Well, she’s been missing again. For four days. I didn’t post, as I just KNEW she would come home.

On Thursday, I went to town for an overnighter. Dakota absolutely has to be kept locked inside the first day, or on a leash, otherwise, she will come looking for me. Once, about 3 years ago, she went to the school, 5 miles away. So, she always gets locked up. This time, the dog sitter left the door open and she, naturally, being Dakota, went running off to look for me. When I got home, I combed the area on Saturday. Went to the campground, went to the school, went to Sand Dollar, checked the sides of the road, nada. 

Today, just after noon, Dakota showed up with no fanfare. She came in the open door, and laid down at my feet. I jumped for joy, and then noticed she was all tore up, not walking right, and had a major gash. I rushed her to the vet. Seems she was hit by a car. Her wound was filled with maggots. Four days with little or no food or water, a hip and/or leg that may be broken, and yet she made it home, five miles and 3200 ft in elevation from the highway where she was probably hit. She is in the doggie hospital tonight, and will undergo surgery tomorrow, but the vet is confident she will survive. My dog sitter might not, however.

Dogs are just the most amazing critters, aren’t they? Dakota, the Wonder Dog!!

Big Sur Marathon in one week

Just a reminder, the 24th Annual Big Sur International Marathon is a week from today, Sunday, April 26th. Highway One between the Deli/Post Office and Rio Rd. will be closed for the race. There are only 2 caravans going south, starting from Rio Rd. at 8:45 am and again at 11:00 am. There are 3 heading north, starting at 7:20 am at the starting line; 9:50 am at Point Sur; and 11:55 am at Palo Colorado. You can download the entire caravan schedule here: 

http://www.bsim.org/site3.aspx

All things Great and Small

 

All things Great and Small, originally uploaded by wind_dancer.

What can I say, that Mother Nature hasn’t said better?

And more wildflowers

I tried. I really tried to narrow down my wildflower photos, but darn, they are just going off, right now. Particularly the blue bonnet lupine – you know the short little ones that are so bright, they almost hurt one’s eyes? Yeah, those ones. I still haven’t finished posting my others, and here I am with new ones!!

Lupines & Sea blue

Oh, you see a lowly poppy here, as well as the popcorn flower (I really must learn its botanical name) as well as the lovely legume, vetch. Yup, that is the ocean in the background.

You’ll probably be tired of bright blue lupines (aka blue bonnets) when I am finished with this post. Probably, but not me. They are around such a relatively short time, and this way, we can look at them all year!

dsc_1988It used to take me only 1/2 an hour to get down to the highway. I cannot do it in less than an hour, now-a-days. Gee, I wonder why?

dsc_20291Isn’t that one of the most gorgeous things you’ve ever seen? And why are we surprised that all the city folk want to come here? Where else can they see something like this? Now, if we could teach them that those fields they want to tear up with their 4×4 when there are no flowers  could all look like this if they stayed on the road, we’d make some progress! This one used to get torn up, but the USFS set up a ditch and a berm to prevent off-roading, which is not allowed up here.

dsc_2040Okay, I have more, but I guess I will change hues. Don’t want you getting bored. Here is some clover, not owl’s clover, which I’ve seen, but not much of.

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Some of these are not as clear as they could be, as it was a VERY windy day when I took these. They were in a relatively sheltered area, or none of them would have been clear. 

Okay, and how about the lovely Flannel Bush? Yellow goes well with blue, don’t you think? This one is located at Pacific Valley School, in Gail’s front garden. I’ve asked for seeds, but, as I recall (I’ll have to look it up) this may be one of the seeds that I have to put in a tray and set fire too for it to germinate. See, fire does play a roll.

dsc_2009I think that is all for tonight. Tomorrow, I have off. I am meeting friends for a variety of activities throughout the day. This weekend, I’ll be putting up “No trespassing” signs so that people can have fun tearing them down. It’s what they do, up here in the wilds of Big Sur. I guess they think nobody has the right to be as lucky as I am.

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Sorry, I could not help myself. I so love these lupines! Promise, this is the last one, at least, today.

Back to the Wildflowers

Some sun up here today, and I understand good weather for the weekend and next week, prolonging the wildflower displays, I venture to guess.

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Zigadenus fremontii

Zigadenus fremontii, originally uploaded by wind_dancer.

Latin name: Zigadenus fremontii; Pronunciation: zig-a-DEE-nus free-MONT-ee-eye; Common name: Star lily; Family: Liliaceae (Lily); Habitat: Rocky outcrops, dry grassy or wooded slopes below 3000′, coastal sage scrub and chaparral. Blooming period: March to May.

I have these above 3K ft, but they are not in bloom, yet. I took this one a couple years ago.