I welcome submissions by readers on fires, weather conditions, road conditions, news and events that affect Big Sur and her neighbors. Photos a plus. Send submissions to kwnovoa@mac.com.
This month’s monthly spotlight is Big Sur River Inn (click for permalink to post). The permalink is a good way to find it fast, so you can see the great historical photos Janet sent, and the story she wrote. Post Ranch Inn to be spotlighted starting December 16th.
And for your Sunday night viewing pleasure … something a little different, even for me … lighting … I love different kinds of light, even artificial!
Back to things Big Sur tomorrow!
While it looks significant for SF and northward (up to .3/hour), south of SF, while it will bring some rain, and scattered showers through tomorrow morning, doesn’t look like much of concern, per this morning’s NOAA discussion. Of course, Mother Nature has her ways. More photos this weekend.
10 am – clouds in and out, sunshine and blue skies, intermittently. I don’t see any rain until maybe later. No winds to speak of yet, so the front has not yet arrived.
3:30 pm – finally the rain has arrived, although it is quite light at this point.
7:30 pm – well that “storm” was a dud, at least down here!
Tonight, I will start tracking the storm for Friday, but I don’t think much is expected, in terms of strength or length of storm. Quick in and out is what it sounds like.
First, the weather report for this coming Friday has eased up a bit for our area. The current NOAA discussion states:
“IMAGERY IS NOT INDC THAT MUCH MOISTURE WILL ENTRAIN INTO THE SYSTEM. THIS UPPER TROUGH WILL STRENGTHEN AS IT MOVES TO THE COAST. AN ASSOCIATED COLD FRONT WILL SWING THROUGH THE DISTRICT FRIDAY INTO FRIDAY EVENING. WINDS WILL INCREASE THUR NIGHT AND FRIDAY AS A SFC LOW INTENSIFIES OFF THE WA COAST. HOWEVER…SINCE THE FRONT WILL BE QUICK MOVING THE AREAL EXTENT AS WELL AS THE DURATION OF THE WINDS SEEM TOO SMALL TO WARRANT ANY WIND PRODUCTS. IT DOESN`T LOOK LIKE
THERE WILL BE MUCH WAA…SO THE MAIN RAINFALL WILL OCCUR WITH THE FRONT.
AFTER THE FRONT PASSES ACROSS THE DISTRICT FRIDAY/FRIDAY EVENING RAIN WILL TURN TO SHOWERS. SHOWERS WILL DECREASE RAPIDLY FRIDAY NIGHT… WITH A SLIGHT CHC MAINLY FOR THE MONTEREY BAY AREA ON SAT IN THE MOIST NW FLOW (A FAVORED LOCATION IN THE MOIST NW FLOW ALOFT).”
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BSMAAC Meeting Notes:
Public Comment Section:
1. Bill Nye reported on the Ft. Ord Veteran’s Cemetery.
2. Lorri Lockwood reported on the draft EIR from the State Water Resources Control Board and the El Sur Ranch’s Water Right Application (No. 30166.) The draft can be read at:
El Sur Draft EIR
comments accepted until December 14, 2009. For questions, contact Paul Murphey at pmurphey@waterboards.ca.gov or (916)341-5435.
3. Linda Sayre reported on the Highway One meeting. The two main subjects are trash and bicycles. Suggestions re: both were discussed. (Ed. note: See Highway Management Plan and Byways Organization for additional)
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Big Sur USFS Management Unit: This topic took the most time. Sam Farr provided copies of the text of HR 4040, as well as summaries and maps. Mike Caplin questioned some of the language of the proposed act, Butch Kronlund questioned putting the Act through without prior public input. Sam Farr agreed to a special meeting to consider amendments to the Act before it is presented for a vote. Will keep everyone posted about this.
2. Coast Highway Management Plan and Byway Oraganization Update Dave Potter stressed the need for a working group with representatives from the South Coast, Big Sur Valley, Carmel Highlands, Chamber of Commerce, and other affected areas. This working group would be the place to consider the trash and bicycle problems previously discussed (Ed. note: I attended the original meeting for this group several years ago at the FireHouse in Carmel Highlands. It seems to have “stalled” since then. Anyone from the south coast interested in this working group, please contact me.)
3. Update on Big Sur Fire Safe Grant and CWPP Frank Pinney brought us up-to-date. The MoCo CWPP is in the final draft stages. Suggestions for Big Sur CWPP and South Coast CWPPs which will feed into the MoCo draft.
REPORTS FROM MEMBER AGENCIES
1. Chamber of Commerce – Kirk Gafill reported on the Ambulance Service, which looks to be able to continue. He also reported business is up and has been good.
2 CPOA – Butch Kronlund reported on upcoming Annual Meeting this past Monday
3. State Parks – Mat Fuzie reported that Limekiln has been given back to the Monterey District (from the SLO District) and they are evaluating the repairs necessary to re-open the Campground, are setting up a timeline to accomplish necessary repairs, and an appropriate ranger found to manage it.
4. USFS – Sherry Tune reported that her district received $600K to repair trails w/i the district, and $ for road work within the forest is also available. She also reported Pine Ridge is now open.
Meeting adjourned at just before 1 pm, a record.
2010 Meeting dates:
February 26th; April 30; July 30th; October 29th.
I don’t normally do this, but a reader, Tzila “Z” Duenzl, a former Big Surian sent me this incredible photo she took recently, and I thought everyone might enjoy it. It is of a “Black Swallowtail” (Papilio polyxenes) butterfly on Marigold flowers.
I really will get my meeting notes up soon. I promise! Working against my usual unforgiving deadlines, but this didn’t take any time at all. (smile)
This is what the NOAA discussion posted (in part) this morning, so heads up, everyone!
A STRONG COLD FRONT WILL MOVE INTO THE DISTRICT FRIDAY MORNING WITH A SOAKING RAIN DURING THE DAY ON FRIDAY.
Also I have a delightful butterfly photo shared with me by Tziala Z Duenzl that I will post this evening. I will also get the notes from the Big Sur Multi-Agency Meeting up on the Friday Meeting Notes post at some point today, and don’t forget the wonderful photos and history of November’s Monthly Spotlight – the Big Sur River Inn, directly below.
Enjoy this lovely Indian Summer day today. It is in the 70’s up here, and just gorgeous!
The place we call the Big Sur River Inn dates from 1888 when Jay Pheneger acquired a 160 acre parcel from the federal government and gave his name to the creek that bounds the River Inn on the south side of the property. Barbara and Michael Pfeiffer, who had already homesteaded and were farming near Pfeiffer Beach purchased the Pheneger property. In 1926 John – Michael and Barbara’s son – took over the land on which The Big Sur River Inn now stands and his daughter, Ellen Brown started the River Inn in 1934 – on the east side of the road.
She opened her living and dining rooms to the public and began serving “Hot Apple Pie.” Lodging units were built and Big Sur’s first resort was established. Her famous Apple Pie, which is still on the menu today gave the place it’s first name … “Apple Pie Inn.” The ridge that rises above the east side of Highway One, behind the Inn is still known as Apple Pie Ridge.
When Ellen left Big Sur in 1937 her mother Florence took over the Inn and as the paved Highway One between Carmel and the Hearst Castle was completed, Ellen’s house was moved to the west side of the road. The home was converted to a dining room and kitchen. Gas pumps were installed and the name was changed to Redwood Camp.
In 1943, Florence’s daughter, Esther Pfeiffer Ewoldsen and her husband, Hans took over the operation. In Esther’s own words … “the place was renamed ‘The River Inn’ in hopes of keeping the river out … because in those days the river often rose up during the winter storms to the level of the dining room door.” Esther replaced her mother as Big Sur Postmaster (Esther was careful to point out the title is not Postmistress… but Postmaster) and the Post Office was moved to the River Inn, situated where the HeartBeat Gift Gallery is today.
After some extensive remodeling and before he reopened for business, Hans did a traffic survey by standing at the Highway; for one whole day to count cars. “Seven went by,” he reported, “and every one stopped for gas.” So he knew that the enterprise would be a success. With lots of help, Hans built the General Store and lodging units ten through fifteen. He rebuilt the dining room and “fixed it up fancy.” Esther reminded us that there was a bridge crossing over it. People admired the “indoor bridge” and stopped by again and again to see it.
The Pfeiffers and the Ewoldsens started a tradition at the Big Sur River Inn of fine food, excellent service and warm hospitality. In 1988 a small group of family and friends purchased the Big Sur River Inn and continue the Pfeiffer tradition of welcoming locals and visitors alike to our little piece of paradise.
Article and historical photographs provided by Janet Lesniak, General Manager. For more information:
Big Sur River Inn
Highway One at Pheneger Creek
Big Sur, CA 93920
831-667-2700 office
or check out their website at:
Big Sur River Inn
I’ll add the Big Sur Multi-Agency Advisory Council notes here later today, as my notes are in the car. In the meantime, here is Betty’s report from the California Coastal Trails Meeting with Bill Monning.
California Coastal Trails, Big Sur Segment:
“Yesterday’s meeting went well, although it was unbelievably cold inside the Grange hall.
Present were representatives from State Parks, County Parks, TAMC, County Planning, USFS, Coastal Commission, Coastal Conservancy, and four representatives from the Trail Committee, chaired by Bill Monning.
We began reviewing comments made by agencies and going into the first stages of a collaborative approach. A working vocabulary of terms used in planning will be developed, so that we are clear about concepts needed in order to secure support and funding.
Lee Otter has found a lot of funding sources for the trail besides the Coastal Conservancy.
Some very positive comments were made about the Community Proposal.
I felt very good about being able to see a future of interaction with the various parties using a feeling of teamwork.
We will be calling on other groups to participate as the plan proceeds, and doing public outreach for collaboration within work groups.”
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