What with earthquakes, tsunamis, and a multiple reactor nuclear disaster unfolding, it’s been a rough week on planet earth. So it’s nice to know there are still some things we can count on. Things that never change. Things like Highway One in Big Sur randomly slipping into the ocean. Read the rest of this entry »
A Return to Normalcy
March 17, 2011
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Big Sur, Coastal Development/Erosion, Cycling, Fire, Flood & Apocalypse, Santa Lucias, Transportation | 
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Posted by xasauan
Eleven Years at Alta Vista: Jeff Norman’s Journals
February 25, 2011
On January 1, 1980, Jeff Norman, then 29, moved into the Overstrom homestead, Alta Vista, in Big Sur. Overlooking the ocean from a 2,700-foot-high perch on Michael Ridge, and accessible only by trail, Alta Vista was an ideal location for observing and experiencing the beauty and power of the natural world. Jeff lived at Alta Vista until his death, at age 56, on October 31 2007. All structures associated with Alta Vista were burned to the ground eight months later in the Basin Complex Fire. Read the rest of this entry »
8 Comments | Big Sur, Fire, Flood & Apocalypse, Fungus, History, Insects, Plants, Santa Lucias | Permalink
Posted by xasauan
Nacimiento River at 12,000cfs and Climbing
February 18, 2011
The Nacimiento River is normally a placid little creek
With most of the rain from the recent storms falling, as it so often does, on the South Coast ridges, the Nacimiento River is on the rise this morning. As of 8:00 AM it was at 12,000 cubic feet per second, and quickly climbing. By contrast, the impressive looking flows in the Big Sur and Carmel Rivers this morning amount to only 572 and 547cfs, respectively. Read the rest of this entry »
2 Comments | Fire, Flood & Apocalypse, Santa Lucias, Water | Permalink
Posted by xasauan
Lagoon “Emergency” Du Jour
December 20, 2010When we noticed, last week, that a 6 foot high tide was projected to arrive together with a 14 foot swell on the morning of December 20, it wasn’t hard to predict what we would find if we headed down to the Carmel River Lagoon this morning …
Sure enough! Waves have been overtopping the bar and creating yet another Carmel River Lagoon “emergency.”
For more information on this continuing series of unforeseeable “emergencies,” see our previous Carmel River related posts.
Leave a Comment » | Carmel River, Coastal Development/Erosion, Fire, Flood & Apocalypse | Permalink
Posted by xasauan
Public Works Takes New Approach to Breaching the Carmel River Lagoon
November 29, 2010
The new cut angles to the north. The lagoon is currently held back by a small sand dam. Read the rest of this entry »
Leave a Comment » | Carmel River, Coastal Development/Erosion, Fire, Flood & Apocalypse | Permalink
Posted by xasauan
Thunder to the South
October 2, 2010
Storm cells bring rain and lightning to San Luis Obispo County this evening, as seen across Lake San Antonio from a hillside near Lockwood. Read the rest of this entry »
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Posted by xasauan
Fire on Old Coast Road
August 3, 2010A small fire is burning in the Little Sur watershed this afternoon. Reports place it along the east side of Serra Grade on the Old Coast Rd. Serra Grade is the steep climb to the north from the Little Sur River. The fire is supposed to be backing down toward the river and may have burned about 20 acres so far. It may also have affected some power poles, as power is out in places and phone service is currently spotty along the northern Big Sur coast. Read the rest of this entry »
1 Comment | Big Sur, Fire, Flood & Apocalypse, Santa Lucias | Tagged: Green Fire | Permalink
Posted by xasauan
Molera Wilderness Proposal Withdrawn
April 7, 2010
An unnamed stream flows through a trailless redwood forest deep within the proposed Molera Wilderness
In response to vigorous opposition from locals worried that the plan would interfere with future firefighting efforts, Assembly Member Bill Monning has withdrawn his proposal to give State Wilderness designation to a portion of the Molera State Park backcountry. Read the rest of this entry »
2 Comments | Big Sur, Fire, Flood & Apocalypse, Politics, Santa Lucias | Permalink
Posted by xasauan
A Look at the Uplands of the Proposed Molera Wilderness
March 28, 2010A bill introduced by Assembly Member Bill Monning would give State Wilderness protection to 912 acres in the northeastern portion of Andrew Molera State Park. This land is on the other side of the ridge – in the Little Sur River drainage – from the developed parts of the Park, as shown on the following map:
6 Comments | Big Sur, Fire, Flood & Apocalypse, On Foot, Plants, Santa Lucias, Wildflowers | Permalink
Posted by xasauan
Video of Tsunami Visiting Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor
February 28, 2010
Leave a Comment » | Coastal Development/Erosion, Fire, Flood & Apocalypse | Permalink
Posted by xasauan
Xasáuan Today 