Tag: Big Sur

Road Closure Update, 1/23/12

Noon – From Cal-Trans:

Cal-Trans official press release says there is no anticipated date of re-opening of the road.

9:30 am – semi-official report: there is no equipment buried under the slide, none of the rock shed is affected, the slide didn’t take out the light, only the wires going to the light, and it is expected that the road will be open in 3-4 days, but still waiting for the geologist’s analysis.

8:30 am – reported by local in comment section below: “Just went for a look, was told by the flagger that the slide has buried part of the rock shed, with much of their equipment, and will probably be closed for at least a couple of days. Also unofficial, but that was at 8:20 this morning.” If all that equipment is buried, it will be more than a couple days!

7:30 am – Per one of my “unofficial” but very reliable sources, the slide occurred just south of the new Rock Shed at Rain Rocks, and took out the light on the southern end of the construction. I have no word from Cal-Trans “official” sources, yet, about how long the closure will last. I suspect I will not get any official word until mid-day or later, as the resident geologist will have to evaluate the situation, then get the word to the PR guys/gals. Will update as soon as I have additional information. BTW, the CHP website no longer shows this closure, but that does not mean it is open.

Friday the 13th, Zebras, and other stories

I didn’t want to write this morning, for fear I would jinx myself. Now that I am safely escounsed in my own home, I figure I’ll give it my best shot. It was actually a good day, no hi-jinxs came my way today.

First, Zebras were close to the road today, so I took advantage of it. This is for my friend Rose, who has a thing for Zebras. It think it is their cute little butts. But who knows? Maybe its the black and white of it all!

Zebras for Rose

(YAY! It inserted!) For those out of the area, when Hearst built his castle, he imported some exotic animals, among them, the zebra. Now the herd of a dozen or more are healthy and happy with lots of “home-like” land to roam.

Second, here are a couple of shots of the rock drapery on last year’s Alder Creek slide. You should see those rock climbers lay this stuff down. Such talented people Cal-Trans has working for it.

Bottom of Rock Drapery, Alder Creek 1/13/12

Top of Rock Drapery, Alder Creek 1/13/12

Wow! Two more photos uploaded AND inserted! This is my lucky day!

And lastly, I warned about accepting advertisements. Well, I added two links on specific prior posts a couple days ago, and today, I am adding a new link to the right under a new category for “Sponsors.” These are for people who pay me for providing a link to their site. You can ignore them, but it would probably help me if you could click on one, once in a while. Right now there is only one, but since it leads to a fire fighting course, I thought it was very worthwhile. The money I was paid for these three links is enough to cover the donation I made earlier this week to the BSVFB, so it all comes around in the end.

HAPPY FRIDAY THE 13TH EVERYONE! And it looks like Kate is no longer “unplugged.” (Thanks, Neil for pointing that out.)

Photo Contest Voting … finally

I can’t believe it, but I finally got the last 5 photos up, so voting has now begun. You (and your friends) have until Sunday night at 8 pm to vote for your favorite for my new header. I didn’t want to take a chance, so view the photos in the post immediately below this one, and then vote here. More news later today, as I have a number of things to report, while wordpress, the internet goddess, and my computer are being cooperative.

Photo Contest Finalists

FINALLY, the long awaited photo contest final 10. Thank you, all, for your patience, particularly those photographers who entered their work!

I am beginning to think this contest is cursed. I tried all night to get the other 5 uploaded, but no luck. So no voting until I get the the other 5 up, and it looks like, based on the behavior of wordpress, it will have to be in a separate post. I’ll try again tomorrow, and I’ll let you know when voting opens.

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Wildbird Fire Photos

All photos by Wally Barnick. And if this works, photo contest finalists will go up tonight!

BSVFD Equipment at Wild Bird, by Wally Barnick
Wildbird Fire by Wally Barnick

While I am finally able to successfully post photos, it is taking for-ever, which is why, Wally, I only posted 2 of the 4 you sent.

And here is one of what it looked like the next day, by Dan Danbom

Widbird by Dan Danbom

Merry Christmas

I’m not sure my post re technical difficulties posted or not, but Internet working well, just having trouble getting photos posted, so photo contest entries as soon as I can. In the mean time, I’m going to try to post this Christmas greeting from my iPhone. Hopes this works!

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Condor over Point Sur

From Joe Burnett of VWS:

Condor over Pt Sur by Joe Burnett

OMG, I’ve been trying to insert this photo for DAYS! Finally, I succeeded!

Upcoming Public Meetings

Sorry I haven’t been in cyberspace for a bit. End of summer approaches, and it is as if there is a frenetic energy for out of town visitors to beat the Labor Day crowds. My aunt and uncle come every year for a month to Pismo Beach, and it is my one time to visit, so I often go spend a few days down there. Out-of-state visitors are also coming for a visit in the next few days, and Rock Knocker has needed my help on some overnight projects lately, too. Of course, I squeeze some work in between all of this. Summer photos shortly.

Several Cal-Trans meetings are being held in the next two weeks that are of interest to all of us.

The first is regarding the design of the viaduct at Rocky Creek:
“HI Everyone,

We have scheduled our first Aesthetic Design Advisory Committee (ADAC) meeting to discuss the aesthetics of the proposed Rocky Creek Viaduct (bridge) railing, that will be constructed along the ocean side of the structure and will be designed to not only protect errant vehicles from the edge but also bicyclists and pedestrians.

The meeting will be held at the Big Sur Station Multi-Agency Facility on August 10, 2011 starting at 10:00 AM and lasting until approximately 1:00 PM or until we mutually agree we’ve covered the topics.

A packet of information will be emailed out to everyone prior to the meeting.

Thank you everyone for your participation!

Ken Dostalek
Caltrans, District 5
Project Management

805-549-3133
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The second addresses the truck climbing lane between Rio Rd. and Carmel Valley Road:

Fall is here

Fall has definitely arrived, even though we never really had a summer. Big Sur Valley, Clear Ridge, and town all reported light rain this morning, and I woke to the inside of a cloud, up here.

There is drip under the trees, but no real rain at my location, although in Big Sur Valley one could hear the rain on the roof. Temperature is 56 degrees currently. At least we’re not in Texas, where reports from friends indicate hurricane conditions, or Colorado where a wildfire is ripping through homes.

My, it sure does seem peaceful up here!

12:30 pm Reports of significant rain in some Big Sur locations this afternoon. Here, it got a tad brighter and for a while, I thought the sun was going to come out. Not so.

Summer Fog

There is something refreshing and alluring about the summer fog on the coast. Living up here above it, I get scorching temperatures, and look down on the fog below. Sometimes envious, but mostly grateful I don’t live in it.

Fog over Willow Creek

I had to pass into it several times this week, and was surprised about how thick it was. For me, the fog presents another photo opportunity. I love what the fog does to the forest.
Foggy Forest

Trees in the Mist

Trees: Living Sculpture

Timeless Beauty

Tunnel of Light