Stories from the Island of Big Sur, California How the residents of Big Sur responded to the 2017 Highway 1 Closure [Sixth Edition]
In 2016 and 2017, a series of fires followed by torrential rains caused multiple mudslides that closed Highway 1 in the Big Sur area at multiple places. One eight-month closure in 2017 was caused by the compromise, removal, and reconstruction of the Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge to the north and mud slides to the south.
Over four hundred residents of Big Sur were confined to this enclave that they named the “Island.” The interviews in this chapbook reveal the unique and resilient community in an important time in the history of Highway 1 and Big Sur. They memorialize this community in transition, coping with the constant change and shift of the land that surrounds them and effects their everyday life.
Oddly, this experience is very similar to the dramatic change in our lives during the COVID-19 pandemic that occurred two months after the book was released, but on a global scale. From her visits and story collecting, Connolly is now aware that they are diligent caretakers of a land like no other and work endlessly to protect and preserve Big Sur for both residents and visitors to enjoy. This by no means reflects the entire community, but provides a glimpse into who the residents are and what makes Big Sur the place we know and love. -Publisher