Category: Misc

I love small towns

Today, I did the unthinkable. I’ve only done it once before, in Big Sur, and Debbie rescued me. It taught me to carry my checkbook in my purple briefcase, where I put my iPad and my iPhone. I never forget that, but have now TWICE forgotten my purse.

It wasn’t until I got to Cambria, a distance of 1 and 1/2 hours, and plenty of gas, that I realized it. I went to Robobank. I knew I was in trouble when I saw the sign on the front door – “Take off hat and sunglasses before entering bank.” So, I took off my hat. Of course, they refused to cash my check.

Then I thought of the Shell Station, where they know me from YEARS of going there. It also helps that they keep their employees around for a long time! God bless them, they cashed a check for $35.00. Breakfast is now covered. They will also accept a check to cover the cost of my gas. Woohoo! I can get home. I’m relatively certain that Cookie Crock will accept my check, even without proper ID, as I have been shopping there for absolutely forever.

Okay, now, I will put an emergency stash of cash in my Jeep.

BSK unplugged

I had an unexpected break for the last 24-36 hours: bigsurkate was completely unplugged … No email, no Internet, no TV – only my views from here on top. Nothing of any significance going on in the Tassajara Fire was visible, and nothing visible anywhere else for 50 miles or so, or I would have been on the horn with my co-administrator. When I finally got her email response to one I had sent blind, she let me know she is available, in case this happens again, and we need to get info out.

The Tassajara fire has grown very little and is now 15% contained. Much of the fuel that would have been feeding this fire was consumed in the Basin Complex Fire of 2008. So, despite temperatures, accessibility problems, and creek and wilderness issues, this is probably one of those “good” burns. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Life in the Wilds of Big Sur … What can I say?

I felt completely at odds for much of this time, but eventually, I surrendered to the goddess, and did other things today. tonight I can catch up on the 100 emails, the sites i visit each day for news and-information and all that jazz.

Tomorrow I have been invited to the Hermitage for a blessing Mass for the new prior, and then I might check out the new menu at Lucia. I will use this opportunity to get shots of the rock shed and bring you up-to-date on this incredible project. Hopefully, Sunday.

I did use some of today to organize some of my 4000 photos on my iPad …so when fire season is over, I’ll share some of my favorites. Enjoy your weekend.

Missing Big Sur Man

Update 6/19 at 8:30 pm. Wayne is safe, and uninjured, thank goodness. His family and friends want to thank the South Coast community for all their help and support.

Update 6/19: rumors are flying, most of them not true. I’ve had contact with Jenny, Janine, and Richard directly. The Mill Creek drainage and trails have been thoroughly searched from the Highway to South Coast Ridge Rd.

Wayne Hyland, a longtime Big Sur resident who lives at Rancho Rico, has gone missing. His family is very worried. His sister, Chris, asked me to post this. He was at his brother’s house on Apple Pie Ridge on Saturday evening, was seen driving off, and has not been seen since. On Monday, his car was found about a mile up Nacimiento Rd., locked. Wayne has a long-standing reputation in the Big Sur community of being kind and gentle, and knows these hills and how to survive out here well.

His family and friends have been down here searching since Sunday, and his sister was staying at Kirk Creek Campground while the search continues. She went to the USFS Pacific Valley Station to report this late this afternoon. I am trying to find a recent photograph I can post. Please keep your eyes and ears open, and lets hope he is found safe and sound. If you have any information, please contact his family members, Richard Mole, or me, and I will get a hold of family members.

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Hiker at Salmon Creek breaks leg, rescue underway

A hiker in Salmon Creek has broken his leg, and rescue is underway. An ambulance has been dispatched from Cambria, and a helicopter has landed at Ragged Point. Cal Fire is assisting in rescue attempt, probably our own Fire Brigade members as well, as they know the area well.

Storm not in Big Sur

Monday night, just before midnight Storm picked up a hitchhiker at the San Mateo/Santa Cruz county line, according to KSBW. When he pulled over at a scenic spot and told her he had a knife, she called 911. He took off on foot. Later, a car was reported stolen on Pqge Mill Rd in Palo Alto, that police believe is Storm’s handiwork.

At least it would appear that he is out of our area for the time being.

Hang glider accident

I got notification from a friend who follows the police/fire radio traffic about 3:00 pm, of a hang glider accident. Details are sketchy, but it could be a serious non-fatal accident. Rock Knocker was up here, and we were listening for the helicopter which had been dispatched, but hadn’t heard it. I asked him to call if he saw or heard anything as he made his way down my road.

He saw the helicopter from down near the bottom of Plaskett, and got out his field glasses so he could more accurately report what was happening. he watched the helicopter hover about 1000 ft above Pacific Valley Center for several minutes, at about 4:34, saw three trucks by the South Forty of Pacific Valley Center, one a USFS truck, probably Engine 17, then watched the helicopter take off with a litter hanging below. It landed across the highway from the Pacific Valley Ranger Station at 4:40 pm. The injury reported over the airwaves was serious. I will report more if I hear more. We don’t know if the glider is local or not. I have been informed, but cannot confirm, that it was not a local hang glider.

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.

Earthquake

From KSBW:

A 4.0-magnitude earthquake struck halfway between Salinas and Soledad at 9:25 p.m. Sunday.

The epicenter was about 13 miles north of Soledad and 15 miles east of Salinas, according to the USGS.

The quake came less than an hour after the San Francisco Giants won the 2012 MLB World Series in Detroit by trampling the Tigers with a 4-game sweep.

Two small aftershocks, magnitudes 2.1 and 2.4, followed soon after, according to the USGS.

There were no immediate reports of injuries or damages.

Reminders

Monterey Herald says there will be 200 bicyclists riding down our highway tomorrow. We all know what that means to us.

Big Sur River Run is this Saturday. Thanks to our local volunteers fund raising for our non-profits.

Finally, gotta say, GO GIANTS! Post season game 7 win tonight!

Bicycle accident at Mud Creek

9/14 5 pm update – see the comments below for an update on the bicyclist’s condition. Thank you, April, and please keep us posted!

2:30 pm update – the man was airlifted to the trauma center, where he is presumably being treated. The 37-year-old man was from Southern California. He was wearing a helmet, and one witness said it probably saved his life.

Noon – about an hour or more ago, there was a serious bicycle accident near mud creek, just north of Sea View ranch. Witnesses to the crash said the bicyclist, a 37-year old volunteer firefighter (not one of ours) seized up, just before the crash. He suffered serious head injuries. No vehicle was involved. Rescuers were hoping to have him air-lifted to the trauma center in San Jose. I did see a helicopter heading north, flying low over me that I suspect was transporting the victim. People who stopped to help included an RN, a pediatrician, and a CT worker who was able to use the satellite phone to contact 911, as there is no cell phone service in much of the south coast highway segment. Also stopping to help was our own local Elaine Peltier, who has had some training and always carries a space blanket and surgical gloves in her vehicle.