Wesley Daggert, the lead character in Raising Mary Jane in 1970s Big Sur by Christian Van Allen, is the luckiest guy. He eludes law enforcement, attracts the prettiest gal, and beats back the biggest bloke in Big Sur. The opening scene of Raising Mary Jane in 1970s Big Sur follows sheriff deputies racing to bust … Continue reading Raising Mary Jane in 1970s Big Sur by Christian Van Allen
Pitstop
A Brief History of Tassajara by Marilyn McDonald
Marilyn McDonald amassed a collection of historical clippings, photos, and stories of the history of Tassajara that grew into a scrapbook for guests to peruse at the counter of the Tassajara office. David Chadwick wanted to add a history page of Tassajara to his website and knowing of Marilyn's research over the years of the … Continue reading A Brief History of Tassajara by Marilyn McDonald
Two Years Ago This Month
Two years ago I wrote an article that was published by KCET Link. Now, June 2019, the highway is open, with a few one-way controlled stops, but 2 years ago the highway was closed with only one road in and out. Closures, Thoughtless Visitors Try Big Sur Locals' Patience By Anneliese Ågren Originally published: June … Continue reading Two Years Ago This Month
On the Shore of the Sundown Sea – T.H. Watkins
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
Our Swiss Guest, Marcus.
If you see this guy cycling the coast, be nice. This is Marcus, 24 years old, a fellow Scorpio from Switzerland. Marcus has rode that bike from Switzerland, through Africa, Argentina, and most recently from Las Vegas to San Diego and up the coast to where we found him yesterday. That's a Swiss flag flying … Continue reading Our Swiss Guest, Marcus.
Tassajara: Fire Monks
Since Tassajara Springs Fire has our attention, let's talk about Fire Monks, the book written by Colleen Morton Busch, about the Tassajara Five, the five monks who remained onsite at Tassajara, the oldest Zen Buddhist monastery in California, nestled within backcountry south of Carmel Valley, to battle the 2008 Basin Complex fire. "On June 21, … Continue reading Tassajara: Fire Monks
Doc Mishler Rides Again!
Doc Mishler last rode the coast road fifteen years ago with the two horses pictured on the right: Chief Free Spirit and Keep The Faith. At that time, Doc trotted from Montana to Washington D.C., by way of California, after surviving a cancer diagnosis and its treatment and reading the book, How Then Shall We … Continue reading Doc Mishler Rides Again!
The Coast Road 