Massive landslide brings new level of isolation to Big Sur

[question everything]

Source: SF Chronicle

The magic of Big Sur lies in its seclusion, the twisty, mountain roads that carry residents — and visitors — to dense forests and dramatic seascapes that seem worlds away. This year, though, the detachment has gotten to be a bit much.

On Tuesday, a heap of dirt and rocks a quarter-mile wide lay across Highway 1 near the tiny community of Gorda (Monterey County), three days after the biggest landslide that locals can remember became just the latest to bury Big Sur and its roadways in a mess of mud, cutting off homes and businesses.

A region ravaged by fire during the historic drought is now being battered by damage from this year’s record rainstorms, and full recovery may be a long way off.


Read more: http://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/Massive-landslide-brings-new-level-of-isolation-11168425.php

[Judi Lynn]

1. Had no idea things have been that precarious there!

From the article:

To drive for groceries, about 30 miles to the south on Highway 1, Handy has to take Nacimiento-Fergusson Road in what amounts to a three-hour detour. To visit his girlfriend in Carmel, about 60 miles to the north, it’s the same way out and a three-hour trip in the other direction.

Thank you, question everything.

[sakabatou]

5. O.O

[rwsanders]

8. Ever been there?

CA is fascinating. If you find the right spot, it is like watching the world being born before your eyes. I drove into Monterey Bay once and nearly crashed because I was so fascinated by the dunes forming before my eyes.
But the hills and mountains there aren't like they are in the east or Rockies. They all look crumbly under the surface. I always commented when I was there that it appeared that anyone with a shovel and enough time could take any of them apart.

[Judi Lynn]

9. I've only lived in inland South Cal. The northern part has always looked so beautiful in photos!

What you detailed made me think I should look for more photos of that area to examine. Interesting.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

13. Southern California is beautiful too in its own ways, except for the simian infestation. . . . nt

[IronLionZion]

14. California's coast is crumbling

there are a number of spots where soil erosion has caused cliff-side houses and other buildings to be abandoned before it falls into the sea.

The sea is nice to visit but I wouldn't want to live too close to it.

[burrowowl]

2. WOW!!!!!

That is really going to be an enormous clean up!
Rte 1 is a really gorgeous drive.

[iluvtennis]

3. 2nd that wow...I live in CA and didn't even realize it. shame on me

[spiderpig]

4. I didn't know either!

It's All Trump All Day on the news. If it weren't for DU, I'd be as isolated as Big Sur.

[bhikkhu]

6. Some of the Oregon coast is like that too

I had a friend who lived in Florence on the coast for awhile. Seemed like every other year either the road north or the road south was washed away or buried, and repairs could take months.

In Santa Cruz as well, when I was there highway 1 ranged safely inland a bit, but the scenic road along the beaches north of town had a few places chained off - little roads that once went to parking or viewpoints, but now only to pavement crumbling off the edge of a cliff.

[C Moon]

7. That was such a nice place to drive. We took it a few times on our way back to L.A.

[kwassa]

10. A true Californian ....

Doesn't trust any land that doesn't move, any trees that don't burn, and any air they can't see.

[jgmiller]

11. Big Sur is a magical place

Since I was a kid decades ago I've gone over that area numerous times. When I say it's magical that's not just hyperbole, there really is an other worldly feeling there. Even though you are at most 100 miles from big box stores and strip malls it feels like you are 1,000 miles away. It's a truly unspoiled area of the world, there are vast swaths of road where there is ZERO cell reception.

The last town of any size heading north is Cambria, my wife and I love going there for the weekend and staying in one of the retro motels on Moonstone beach. Sunsets are a big thing there; if it's not raining about an hour before sunset people start coming out with chairs and just quietly sit by the road waiting for the sunset. At the main restaurant facing the beach everyone sits on the patio enjoying the same sunset. Besides the beauty of it the other thing that strikes you is the silence of all the people, the only sound you hear are the waves crashing. If anyone remembers City Of Angels it's very much the real life version of the angels gathering at the beach to watch the sunset.

[Hekate]

12. I went to Esalen a couple of times 20+ years ago, and it is indeed magical

I had always hoped to go back someday, and I'm just so sorry that the Big Sur area has experienced so much destruction.

[spiderpig]

15. You've reminded me of a long-ago trip to Molokai

Everyone going to the beach at sunset.

[dhill926]

16. second your opinion on Big Sur and Cambria....

just LOVE that whole area...

[niyad]

17. I have driven that road many times. I am so glad nobody was injured in this latest slide.