10 minute read
Signs of the times
from Coastal View News
Photos by Robin KaRlsson
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Connected to the wider world in a way no community wants to be, Carpinteria is contending with the threat posed by the international COVID-19 pandemic. Schools and many businesses are closed for an indeterminate period of time, but public health officials assure that by strict observance of stay-at-home orders and social distancing, and by taking precautions in public, the coming surge of infections will “level-off” and the pandemic will become history. In the meantime, Carpinterians must wash their hands regularly, not touch their faces, and accept that their favorite establishments are operating in uncharted territory, if at all.
unpredictable wilderness
chuck graham
The ticks were moving up my pant legs faster than I thought after tiptoeing across a year-round spring that flows to a deserted beach located south of the Guadalupe-Nipomo Sand Dunes National Wildlife Refuge. Unfortunately, I’ve always been a tick magnet, and at times have found them on me in unspeakable places following a trip days later, so I didn’t panic when the 3-to-5-milimeterlong arachnids were merely scaling the exterior of my canvas pants.
Once, a few years back, I counted 19 ticks on my legs after walking across the same spring along that lonely stretch of the Central California Coast. I managed to rid myself of that army of ticks then and the ticks in between while shooting photos of dune poppies, giant coreopsis and wild lilies just 10 days prior to writing this column.
At the same time, I was mulling over the concept of social distancing, ditching crowded venues for self-quarantining at home, when really the best place to do this has always been the woods, the islands, the mountains. Thankfully, gratefully, we have an abundance of great escapes well within reach. When it feels like the world is spiraling out of control it’s all the diversity of habitats in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties that beckons. Unfortunately, it takes a global catastrophe to sometimes realize our best escape is within spitting distance.
Dune escape
The dunes are still one of the best kept secrets in Santa Barbara County. Over the last 25 years, the most people I’ve seen out there at one time is maybe five individuals. Most every trip I’ve taken out there, it’s just me. When the striking pink and orange hues of first light sweep across a wind-groomed dune crest, it’s magical—and again, when the sun sinks in the west and shadows creep across the sand. Coastal wildflowers are a hardy bunch on the Guadalupe Dunes. Ravaged by perpetual, howling northwest winds and stinging sand particles, dune dwelling flora over time has adapted to the thick salty air and relentless winds. Whether tucked at the bottom of a dune trough or at the top of a dune crest, there’s no escaping these winds, monstrous gales blasting their way off craggy Point Conception, the Western Gate, and keeping up steam in the Santa Barbara Channel. My most recent trip revealed giant coreopsis, Indian paintbrush, silver lupine, sand verbena and more.
The dunes are always mesmerizing, photogenic and provide a good workout with my 30-pound camera pack on my back. The tallest dunes are 500-feet and steep, literally towering over the deserted, driftwood-strewn beach south from the carpark to Mussel Rock.
Hardy flocks of shorebirds also call the dunes home. That’s especially true of the western snowy plover—the dunes being one of the last, best bastions of this threatened shorebird. With their feathers being the same colors of the beach sand, they are perfectly camouflaged. They don’t migrate, so these year-round residents
A signpost in the dunes signals that western snowy plovers cross here.
hunker down during the winter seeking shelter amongst a constantly reconfigured stretch of coast littered in driftwood, marine mammal carcasses and gnarled strands of kelp.
Western snowy plovers don’t build nests. They’ll seek a small depression in the sand well beyond the wrack-line of the most recent high tide mark. The wrack-line is where they typically feed on beach hoppers and other beach-going insects.
Paradise is where you find it The first 100 feet of my ascent was in knee-deep sand, a lot of three lunges forward and then sliding back some. Before eventually going barefoot, I emptied my trail shoes seven times during the eight miles of soft sand dune dwelling, so I was a little stubborn.
Once at the apex of the tallest dunes, I always seek out the best route, meaning the most compacted sand. Recent rains aided in that search and before I knew it, I was gazing across Paradise Beach and all the way out to Point Sal.
The descent to the beach was roughly 500 feet; big, long strides had me at the spring in a couple of minutes where I could hear water drops splashing on the sand. Wild lilies clung to the edge of the weathered bluffs. South winds had the ocean in tatters, but the migrating surf scoters bobbed in the choppy seas without a care, while a red-tailed hawk soared over the dunes. No one around, not a visible footprint on the deserted beach, social distancing on a roadless stretch of coast was sublime.
Adventure and travel writer Chuck Graham lives in Carpinteria and contributes his writing and photography to publications far and wide. For more wildlife photos, visit chuckgrahamphoto.com or follow Graham on Instagram at @chuckgrahamphoto.
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www.carpinteria.ca.us (805) 684-5405 • 5775 Carpinteria Ave.
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Beach-town life goes on (with some major adjustments)
PHotos by Robin KARLsson
Beautiful spring weather on Saturday and Sunday, March 21 and 22, didn’t change the fact that Carpinteria is facing the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, life must go on, and in the days and weeks ahead moments of sunshine and fresh air will be as vital as keeping six feet of space between individuals outside the home.
Keeping six feet apart, moms Ellie Pennington, Melinda Ray and Brittney Warner chat while the little ones also enjoy a bit of fresh air and sun. Bringing prayers of peace and serenity, Father Larry (in the shawl) and Jose Patacheck with two laymen of the church bless San Roque mobile home park on Tuesday evening, March 24.
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NEW LISTING! A UNIQUE HOME WITH LOTS OF CHARM, PERSONALITY, AND A WONDERFUL LOCATION. ...Built in the 1880s, this nostalgic home has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, family room with a cozy brick fireplace, convenient kitchen and an enclosed patio. Perfect for walking or biking to downtown Carpinteria’s unique shops, restaurants, library, and the Beautiful “World’s Safest Beach.” OFFERED AT $1,100,000 Please call Shirley Kimberlin at 805-886-0228 NEW LISTING!
ONE-HALF BLOCK TO THE BEACH...Delightful condominium just one-half block to the sand at Ash Avenue Beach and across the street from the Salt Marsh Nature Park. Upgraded one bedroom, one bath with Travertine flooring, granite counters, newer appliances, and plantation shutters. There is a one car carport with private storage. Perfect as a beach retreat or full time enjoyment. Take a short stroll to charming downtown Carpinteria with great restaurants, shops, and more! OFFERED AT $499,000 Please call Shirley Kimberlin at 805-886-0228
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This week’s listings on the back page Lic. #00623395
C oastal View News Vol. 26, No. 3 Oct. 10 – 16, 2019 coastalview.com CarpiNteria
3Input sought for future of library
To our readers… Coastal View News is committed to bringing Carpinterians the most current and accurate information during this time of crisis. We
10 Monthly Dine-Out helps schools 4 16 Surveillance coming to a beach near you Doug Grant joins “All-Eight” Club KARLSSON Enjoy the ride Emery Epps and his grandmother Carie Smith round the top of the Ferris wheel at the 33rd annual California Avocado Festival held last weekend in Carpinteria. Epps and Smith were among thousands who met downtown for the party—celebrating peace, love and guacamole. For more Avofest pictures see pages 11, 12 and 13. MAGAZINE living community art shopping dining winter 2020 CARPINTERIA 10 Monthly Dine-Out helps schools 4 16 Surveillance coming to a beach near you Doug Grant joins “All-Eight” Club Monthly Dine-Out helps schools Surveillance coming to a beach near you Doug Grant joins “All-Eight” Club
have instituted a free home/driveway delivery service of the weekly print edition, and will keep our main newsracks full throughout the Carpinteria Valley. Breaking and developing stories will continue to be updated daily on our website, coastalview.com, as well as on our Facebook page. Stay safe, community!
