Monthly Archives: December 2008

Honor Local Adventurer Monty Parker

For earlier conversations about Monty Parker, please click here Story by John Vonderlin Email John ([email protected]) Hi June, I was able to visit the Monty Parker Memorial at the reputed Merry Prankster rappel site yesterday and photograph the note Larry … Continue reading

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“The Cracks” How to get to a vanishing beach – Story/Photos by John Vonderlin

The Cracks Story/photos by John Vonderlin Email John ([email protected]) I had a chance to return to “The Cracks” a few days ago to shoot some better pictures of a very nice Sea Arch, that like so many others along our … Continue reading

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My father was Ralph E. Wall (1877-1956)

In the 1970s I received this short bio of Ralph E. Wall from daughter Laura Wall Taylor “Ralph E. Wall “He started to work for the Ocean Shore R.R. in April of 1912. As he, my mother, and oldest sister, … Continue reading

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So, explain it to me, again, John. If someone’s from Pescadero, they are called a “Fishermonger” or “Fishmongerite”?

Story by John Vonderlin Email John ([email protected]) Hi June, I’ve always been mildly curious about the origin of the town of Pescadero’s name ever since I first became aware of the town a few years ago. If you look up … Continue reading

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1883: Gazos Creek and sandy beaches superb for growing chunky black coal

Commentary by John Vonderlin Email John ([email protected]) Hi June, The 1883 book, “San Mateo County, California, Geography, Topography, Geology, Climatography, and Description,” has only a few short sections about the Coastside. Strangely, the most extensive part about the Coastside deals … Continue reading

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Torquay, the poem?

What a fragrance in the air From the aroma of the trees. Redwood trees. And the soul thrilling music Of the roaring of the seas–restless sea, Here ones heart overflows with gladness When one dwells ‘neath the trees by the … Continue reading

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The city of “Torquay will not have streets running recklessly contrary to nature..”

[Image: “Ano Nuevo is land and government signal station. The island is a little south of Torquay and about one half mile from mainland.”] Circa 1900. The image above is from the pamphlet extolling the beauties of Torquay. A promotional … Continue reading

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Celebrating the Creative Explorer Russell Towle

For more information, please email Russell’s brother, Richard L. Towle at [email protected] [Image: One of the big cedars in Four Horse Fat along the Big Granite Trail.] “From the DVD: Russell Towle was an avid hiker in the river canyons … Continue reading

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You mean to say that Bean Hollow was named after a Mister Bean?

Story by John Vonderlin Email John ([email protected]) Hi June, I believe this is the answer to the origin of the name of Bean Hollow, not as I or Dr. Brown had theorized. Only about one in 6,000 people have Bean … Continue reading

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Near Pescadero, closer to The Butano

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