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Bigsurkate and other updates

I got back home just before sunset last night, to find my solar power system unresponsive. I relied on the gennie last night, and tried to get the solar online. No luck. Someone had turned the PV switch off, and my gennie was not charging it today. Tomorrow, I have to run to town to replace groceries eaten by my dog sitter, propane for my appliances, restock on critter food, and all the usual, so I won’t get a chance to figure out what is wrong with the solar … Means I better get gas for the gennie back-up, as well, until I can read the manual, call my power guy, or otherwise become brilliant in solar power. I know, but it MIGHT happen!

My dogs sitter may have messed up my solar (or someone else?) but he had a fire laid out for me to Light last night, all four dogs were good, as were two cats, he hauled in firewood for a few days, and with all else, I have been warm, thanks to him.

Blaze got the contract for the Partington Rd clean-up. I understand there was a meeting between Blaze, Cal-Trans, and the Partington Ridge Road Association this morning. Will keep you posted as I can.

Friday the BSMAAC meeting is to be held at the State Park Conference Center, starting at 10 am. I will be attending. Kathleen Lee promised an agenda by end of business today, but so far, it has yet to find my inbox.

We have one more month of overnight closures at Rocky Creek, and then life will get a little easier for all of Big Sur. NOTE – I did not say “normal” – ain’t no such thing in Big Sur.

Glad to be home, and back doin’ what I do.

Partington Ridge Slide Photo from up top

Photo by Sula Nichols of Partington Ridge

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What a photo! What a challenge! What a mess! These are the same people who lost houses in the Basin Fire of 2008. They are a tough group. Thanks for sharing your world, Sula.

On another note, repairing this road will be an expensive and private affair. It has been suggested that the road association might want to set up a fund that people could donate to. Carmel Pine Cone indicates it will be 1/2 million dollars to fix. Ouch! I will keep you posted if I learn more.

Rescue Operation on Pine Ridge

One of my readers, Cara Nason on Chews Ridge, reports rescue operations have been going on this afternoon for 4 hikers. Two have been recovered, but rescue is returning for the other two. The following two photos are by Cara Nason taken on Bruce Flat.

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Helicopter

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Ground support

Kitty at Post Ranch

This was taken at the Post Ranch Inn on 12/3/12 by Jeanne Cowen. Isn’t she gorgeous?

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Burn Permits Notice

IMPORTANT: Backyard burn permits are required for this burn season. Burning is allowed ONLY on Permissive Burn Days. The Permit holder MUST call 1-800-225-2876, or visit the Air Resources Board to find out if it is a permissive burn day.

Big Sur Volunteer Fire Brigade coverage area

Residential Burn Permits

Beginning with the “Backyard Burn” season starting on December 1, 2012 as regulated by the Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control District, the Big Sur Volunteer Fire Brigade now requires a permit for burning yard trimmings on residential property within the response area of the Big Sur Volunteer Fire Brigade. Burning on residential property requires a permit from either the local fire department or the Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control District. In order to properly manage and monitor residential burning within the Big Sur community at the local level, burn permits are now required from the Big Sur Volunteer Fire Brigade.

Permits for burning on residential property within the response area of the Big Sur Volunteer Fire Brigade are valid for the entire burn season which begins on December 1st of each year and ends on April 30th of the following year. Each new burn season requires a new burn permit. There is no fee for the burn permit. Burn Permits may be obtained at our web site or by calling the Brigade at 831-667-2113 or email to bigsurfire@gmail.com.

The Residential Burn Permit is for burning yard trimmings only on residential property in accordance with the terms and conditions as outlined in the burn permit. Any violations of the terms and conditions of the permit may be cause for the permit being revoked. A burn permit for recreational fires or barbeques is not required. Information on “backyard burning” can be found at the MBUAPCD website at: http://www.mbuapcd.org by clicking on the “Burn Permits” tab.

All data collected stays with the local Brigade and is used to know where burns take place in case of smoke reports.

Mid-Coast Fire Brigade coverage area

Permits Now Required For Backyard Burn Season – Free From Fire Brigade

Burn season will begin December 1st, 2012 and there is a major change, The Monterey Bay Unified Air Pollution Control District is now requiring that those who burn in our area of responsibility obtain a free burn permit through the Mid-Coast Fire Brigade. Those without permits are subject to steep fines from the MBUAPCD.

Please understand that the Fire Brigade is in no way responsible for this new requirement. Apply Online For Backyard Burn Permit. For those without Internet access who wish to obtain a burn permit, please call the Fire Brigade at 831-625-8175. If you have questions, please email the Fire Brigade for more information. See burn guidelines at our web site: http://www.midcoastfirebrigade.org/.

I’m back, I think ..

I think I am back … I think. Bigsurdeb put up the last two posts for me, and I couldn’t even get online to see them!

It has been an interesting week – no Internet, no email for four days, no television reception. Damn, I should have thought of the radio! – that is, when I had power, as the batteries had expired. The first real storm of the season is always a wake-up call. What have I forgotten? D batteries, lamp oil, more critter food, replenish the winter meds. The usual.

I have felt so isolated from friends, news, and weather reports. All I knew is what was happening on my mountain, at that moment. Talk about being here now, as Ram Dass has said. Mother Nature was sending me gentle reminders – or maybe not so gentle. All this technology is great, but …

Sometimes, it is nice to enjoy the isolation – especially when there is no choice. Rock Knocker checked on me, before and after, and by phone in between. I got my weather reports from him. I had plenty of fire wood, more than enough food, although I ran out of a few of my favorite things – not necessities, just treats.

I have learned a lot, been reminded of more, and am ready to come out of the early 20th century into the 21st.

I am finally getting email again, and Internet (if this post makes it up) and as of this am, I had 150 emails to read, not counting the junk, which is filtered. So if you have asked me to post something – Big sur Health Clinic, BSVFB, Rocky Creek update, I noticed while I was scanning my in box, I should get to it tomorrow, if the technology goddess allows. If it is a personal email, I will try to get to those soon, as well. I hope this blip in my systems was only a temporary glitch.

BTW, I got a total of 3 and 1/2 inches for the series of storms. The most rainfall at one time was early Sunday morning, as in 2:00 am and beyond, for a total of 1 and 1/2 inches.

So lets hope I am posting again on a regular basis. So, now y’all know why I haven’t been around the cyber neighborhood.

Snow report and lost dogs

I did not receive any snow, but Cone Peak did! Couldn’t get a photo, as it was only visible for a short while before it was covered by clouds. I have had a fire going most of the day, although the sun came out for a bit, making my solar system happy.

lost dogs

On 11/2, Dr. Hyde’s grandson, while staying at the Hyde cabin on Plaskett Ridge Rd lost his two pugs. If you have any information, call Ash Chapman at 623-826-3620. Here is a photo of the pugs

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Celebration in honor of Dante Ponce

The River Inn will be hosting a Life Celebration in honor of our dear friend Dante Ponce who we lost in May on Wednesday, October 24th at 5:00 p.m. We are all invited and to share our favorite Dante moments.

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Halloween Cat, and other photos

Here is Midnight, my kitten, fast growing up. Her sister, Moonlight, is identical. I tell them apart by two things: the tiny white tuffs in Midnight’s ears, and their personalities. Moonlight would never sit still for a portrait!

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That one, and the ones which follow, we’re all taken Wednesday, the day of the big storm, when the sun came out, just before sunset.

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So, how hot is it?

It may be October 2nd, but we have been reaching record temperatures, every where … The coast is no longer my refuge. It hit 102 at Ventana Restaurant, yesterday, and 95 in the valley, at the State Park. It was over 105 up here, although I spent the day on the Peninsula, running errands. It was about the same today, although I was in Cayucos and Cambria, where it was also hot. I read that it is to cool down considerably tomorrow and the rest of the week. I would settle for it cooling down at night!

So, how hot has it been where you are?