Tag: Plaskett Ridge Rd.

Campers with Campfire

Sunday morning, I went down the mountain to the coast to get my mail and saw people having a campfire. I didn’t think to get a photo of the campfire as I was completely flummoxed. I did report them to the USFS, as I found several at the station. So, on the way home, glad to see the campfire was out, I got photos.

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They drove by this sign just about 100 yards before the area where they made camp. (Sorry for the dirty windshield, but that’s what happens out here.)

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These were the two vehicles. Look at all that dry grass.

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This shows their tents, the wood they had gathered for their fire, in the branch out in front of the orange ten, and the campfire was right on the other side of that large log, dragged out presumably to sit on. Again, note all that dry grass around their campsite.

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This shows a whole lot of trash, which to their credit they did pack up and take with them, I am told. The two guys are watching me photograph them, and the two gals are to the right of them, shown in the next photo. Again, lots of dry grass.

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Not wanting to be photographed, it would appear. Now these campers were polite and did put out their fire when I pointed out the error of their ways, and they did clean up their trash. But I still can’t understand why they felt it was okay to have a campfire when it was so hot and they were camped in the grass – regardless of the sign. I vow to have a dialogue the next time so I can understand the mentality, and maybe find a way to change that.

Monday Morning’s illegal campfire list

Much more ticketing, educating, and anguish for today. When will they ever learn? When will they ever learn? (Peter, Paul, and Mary – Where have all the flowers gone?)

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What kind of idiot …

… Leaves an illegal campfire in the middle of the wilderness unattended? These surfer dudes and/or dudettes. Campfires have been prohibited for WEEKS!

On my way home Thursday night June 20, I found an unattended fire with flames about a foot high in an undeveloped campsite. Tents, chairs, ice chests, truck, surfboards, skateboards, campfire, but no people. I was fit to be tied. Pulled in, honked, got out, yelled, no one. I went into their ice chest, grabbed handfuls of ice and dumped it on the fire. Found a 16 oz water bottle, dumped that on the fire, found a baking sheet, used that as a makeshift shovel, and covered the fire with dirt. Flames out, but still smoking. Got to cell phone signal, called USFS PV Station. (Closed, but I have a home phone number) told them, and they promised to go up and make sure it was completely out. The campers had a big stack of firewood back behind a log, hidden from view. I grabbed piece after piece and threw it over the edge. Only got about a quarter of it. I felt like throwing it at their tent to be honest. Also felt like using the skateboards as shovels, rather than the baking sheet. I do not suffer fools gladly.

This is what I saw

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This is a Volkswagon truck, which I had never heard of, at least that is what the tailgate said

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Living in the Wilderness … With dogs

I had to go to Salinas today … A long story for another day. On the way home, about 2 and 1/2 miles up Plaskett, my tire went flat. The county graded the first 1and 3/10ths miles Tuesday and Wednesday. That kicks up rocks. Probably where the flat came from.

I pulled out my handy, dandy air compressor, and spent about 1/2 an hour trying to pump it up. No dice. No cell signal. So I drove on the rim until I could get cell service, and called my one and only neighbor. Thank god he was home. His vehicle, which had been in the shop for three weeks, was working, and I reached him.

I said I would keep driving, carefully, and slowly, and he agreed to come get me. When we met on the road, I was ready. I had my big bag with my cell phone, my iPad, my charger, my purse, keys, and all that stuff ready, jumped out of my car into his, locking mine, and leaving it behind, a mile or two from my place.

I got home before dark, barely, met by exuberant dogs, who needed to pee and be fed. The peeing was easy. When I went to feed them, I found I didn’t have enough food, I had left the new bag in the car. Damn. I gave them what I had, got each a couple slices of bread, got out the cereal and crackers, and hoped this would hold them until I can get to my Jeep, hopefully tomorrow. If I can’t, I will be cooking up all the beef, rice, and veggies I have, and making my own dog food.

Life on the mountain is always interesting. And life with 5 dogs is even more so! Thank gawd for a wonderful neighbor!

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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Tuesday … afternoon

It is hard to write a blog almost every day for a year, and find new and exciting things to say, unless there is a fire, or a mudslide, or heavy snow, or a murder. Just kidding about the latter. And if not new and exciting, maybe informative. Well, if not informative, then of interest. It is sort of an informal newspaper column … sort of … with a small readership (much larger than I ever expected). And, if all else fails, post some photos. People like visuals. And I like taking photographs. So, there you have it.
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So, this afternoon’s foray to Cambria for supplies yielded a few photos.

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And when words fail me (OMG, did I say that? And me, a lawyer?) Photos never do. Thanks for reading, and looking, and commenting, when you do. I enjoy the feedback, I really do.

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