|
more articles like this
Bixby Ranch
updated: May 22, 2010, 10:10 AM
By David Powdrell
There's a secluded, magical place on the California coast, just north of Santa Barbara. It's known as the Bixby Ranch in the surfing community, or the Cojo-Jalama Ranches in the real estate community.
Not unlike the Lost Coast in Northern California, the 25,500 acre Bixby Ranch is stunningly raw and beautiful. It's like turning the clock back 200 years as you stroll the hillsides. But it's also remote and nearly inaccessible but for the daring kayakers, boaters and hikers and the unimaginably few that get camping passes and, therefore, the luxury of driving in.
My affection for the Bixby Ranch started in 1975 with a 6-foot inflatable boat and a 3 horsepower motor. My youngest brother, Doug, lined it all up. Together, we were daringly in search of the ever-elusive perfect wave, as depicted in Bruce Brown's Endless Summer. Over time, my compadres and I graduated up through an array of increasingly larger Boston Whalers and made a few stealth overnight kayak treks in from Jalama and Gaviota State Parks.
On October 16, 1997, my good friend, Derek, lined us up for bi-annual 3-day camping passes onto the property. To us, that was the equivalent to winning the lottery.
For the next 11 years, I had the privilege to photograph the property and it's incredible beauty.
In January, 2007, the property was sold to an investment company in Boston for $136 million and all outstanding camping passes were revoked. Hard to tell what the new owners will eventually do with the property (develop it, slant oil drill off it, sell it or sell the building rights to the Federal Government, as Vandenberg fires missiles over it, or something else).
But maybe, just maybe, by introducing the Bixby Ranch to you, together we may one day be able to help preserve it for future generations to marvel at.
I'm fortunate to have known her when I did. I hope you enjoy a few of the photos.
Send this picture as a postcard
# # # #
Send this picture as a postcard
# # # #
Send this picture as a postcard
# # # #
Send this picture as a postcard
# # # #
Send this picture as a postcard
# # # #
Send this picture as a postcard
# # # #
Send this picture as a postcard
# # # #
Send this picture as a postcard
# # # #
Send this picture as a postcard
# # # #
Send this picture as a postcard
# # # #
COMMENT 77158
|
2010-05-23 08:02 AM |
|
wonderful photos! in the early 60s we'd launch my 14' outboard off gaviota pier and fish just outside the surf line at gov't point and catch nice halibut, troll for bonito on the way back. once the dog jumped out of the boat thinking she could walk on the kelp. she was a dalmatian, which explains that...not know for smarts
|
| |
COMMENT 77167
|
2010-05-23 08:41 AM |
|
How can we save it from development? It is a jewel and an important part of the Chumash mythology. I regret the Gaviota Coast and Bixby did not become part of a National Seashore. Now we have to fight every battle to save beauty from greed and development.
|
| |
COMMENT 77210
|
2010-05-23 12:40 PM |
|
Oh David, I'm choked up at the thought of losing the Bixby ranch to development of any kind. It's so beautiful I'm weeping. Thank you for the pictorial!
|
| |
0% of comments on this page were made by Edhat Community Members.
18 comments on this article. Read/Add
# # # #
|
