On the Shore of the Sundown Sea – T.H. Watkins

October 1, 2017June 1, 2019 / coastroad / 2 Comments

T.H. Watkins' book On the Shore of the Sundown Sea, published by the Sierra Club, tells of the T.H.'s experience camping with his big family at Salt Creek, exploring the southern Orange County coastline during the post WWII years to the passage of Proposition 20 in 1972. I was introduced to T.H. Watkins' book by … Continue reading On the Shore of the Sundown Sea – T.H. Watkins

Stories of Arroyo Hondo by Chris Chapman

October 30, 2016October 30, 2016 / coastroad / Leave a comment

It's been one month shy of two years since I posted a book review on this blog (not for want of California coastal books, of which there are many terrific titles released), because I was otherwise occupied and neglected this site. After reading Chris Chapman's Stories of Arroyo Hondo, the end has arrived for this book review drought … Continue reading Stories of Arroyo Hondo by Chris Chapman

Whatever Happened to the Hippies?

June 23, 2013March 26, 2014 / coastroad / 3 Comments

In my never-ending search for writings on the Coast Road, I discovered this little book that documents the people who moved to the Mattole and Eel watersheds, the "Mateel," located in southern Humboldt County (SoHum). Twenty-three individual narratives intertwine to tell the stories of settlement, stereotyping of hippies, rednecks, loggers, straights, and the rowdy bikers, … Continue reading Whatever Happened to the Hippies?

Where The Road Begins by Peter Gray Scott

April 8, 2012March 26, 2014 / coastroad / 2 Comments

After reading Where The Road Begins, I wonder why I've never seen on cars of Big Sur residents', bumper stickers protesting, "To Hell With Ansel Adams!" The author of Where The Road Begins, Peter Gray Scott, is a resident of the Oakland Hills, born and raised in Berkeley, and educated at Stanford. Mr. Scott is … Continue reading Where The Road Begins by Peter Gray Scott

Remember those Forgotten Landscapes of California

April 10, 2011April 11, 2011 / coastroad / 3 Comments

I want to experience uncrowded beaches in California, when the only hazard might be a sloth of grizzlies feeding off a whale's washed-up carcass. I'd like to regard old growth redwood forests, when they weren't yet old, and certainly not pockmarked by logging. I'd like to see skies blackened by birdlife, including a condo of … Continue reading Remember those Forgotten Landscapes of California

Coast Road Historical Markers

January 31, 2011January 31, 2011 / coastroad / Leave a comment

Whizzing along at 55 mph, another bronze plaque, a California Roadside Historical Marker, half-hidden behind azalea shrubs, is only noticed after passing the turn-out. One day you must remember to stop and read what took place there. In the meantime, it's cold, you're busy, and getting out of the car to read some historic plaque … Continue reading Coast Road Historical Markers

Opening Day of the Golden Gate Bridge

March 4, 2010 / coastroad / 2 Comments

La Nostra Costa, Santa Cruz North Coast

November 6, 2009October 9, 2011 / coastroad / 7 Comments

Ivano Franco Comelli's La Nostra Costa (our coast) sticks an Italian flag in the coast north of Santa Cruz. Ivano Comelli is "un figlio della costa (son of the coast), born and raised on a brussel sprouts rancio." Ivano's family lived on the Coast Road from 1937 to 1953 amongst other ranceri and amici della … Continue reading La Nostra Costa, Santa Cruz North Coast

7 responses to “La Nostra Costa, Santa Cruz North Coast”

Riccardo Gaudino

October 9, 2011

The Italian village of Santa Cruz have distinct origins. In the – A Day On The Bay – History of the Santa Cruz Italian Fiishing Colony, this work documented this one colony as the Pacific-America example of global chain migration from the village of Riva Trigoso. I encourage you to identify the village of origin to explain the transplantation of the ag-economy from the coastal area of Lucca. If you need assistance, I would contribute the knowldege framework for push-pull analysisto report the findings. The Santa Cruz area had four Italian villages with discinct economies: the Wharf & Capitola for the Riva Trigoso people, the Coast Roaders with sprouts and ‘chokes mostly from Lucca in the 1920s — who followed the Swiss – Italians. Did the Fruiliani have another ag-economy such as cattle. Then the Italian Gardens were from Piedmonte. The Bonny Doon community was hill people from near Genova (such as Valbrevenna). Again, I am glad to see you are having fun and hope you may expand the story to show the connections that open local windows to learning world geography.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdlY2mdbbL0
coastroad

October 9, 2011

Thank you so much, Ivano! To keep the post true, I’ve deleted the offending sentence, “Many of the Italianos along this stretch of coast came to America, before World War II, from the northeastern region of Friuli.”

Take Care,
Anneliese
Ivano Franco Comelli

October 9, 2011

Hi Anneliese and Riccardo:: I don’t think I ever asserted in my book that the transfer of the ag-economy to the Santa Cruz’s North Coast came from the Friuli Region. In fact, I stated that the majority of “Ranceri” (Italian Coastal Ranchers) were from the Tuscany Region of Italy (LNC: Page 64.). The Friulian “Rancere” was in the minority, which (as I cite in the book) sometimes caused friction between the “Furlans” and the “Toscani” LNC: P.139.). Thanks Riccardo for your inquiry. If interested “La Nostra Costa” (Our Coast) is now available in e-book format via Amazon.com
coastroad

October 9, 2011

Ciao Riccardo! I wrote, “Many of the Italianos along this stretch of coast came to America, before World War II, from the northeastern region of Friuli.”

“Many” not all. My citation is the book reviewed above, written by a Friulian, Ivano Comelli.

I’ll mention to Ivano to come over here and set it all straight, as I think he also wrote that there were many Friulians, but not everyone who farmed the coast lands was Friulian.
Riccardo Gaudino

October 8, 2011

Ciao! What is this statement that the Coast Roaders cam from Friuli???

I believe this is an error. The villages of origin are along the coast of Lucca where they once produced the sprouts and artichokes. Please explain your citation! I knew all these people. The transfer of ag-economy is definitely from the Lucchesia coast.
ivano comelli

December 12, 2009

Thanks for posting a review of my book, “La Nostra Costa” on your beautiful website. As you know the Coast Road is full of historical events.
I cover a few in the book. Those who are familier with the Coast Road today may find the events I desscribe useful when travelling the “New” Coast Road. Some of my readers have commented that the book is kind of a “historical” travel log to a time all but forgotten. Thanks again and ‘sempre avanti.’ ivano franco comelli
Dominic

November 6, 2009

Considering how much East Coast Italians dominate the media arts, it was refreshing to read about West Coast Italians.

Grazie. Ho piaciuto questo articolo tanto tanto.

The Coast Road

An odology of the California coast.

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