7/18/16
And so it begins.
I flew north to Arcata on Sunday morning, snow-capped Mt. Shasta to the east, cloud-shrouded California coast to the west.
Popped through the thick marine layer, rented a car and began an 1,100-mile trek along the awe-inspiring coast to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the California Coastal Act.
The day included a stroll through the stunning Ma-le'l Dunes, from Humboldt Bay marshland to crashing waves, through a storybook meadow of shore pines and reindeer lichen and over a lunar landscape to the white foam.
It's hard to believe this was a private dune buggy playground before conservationists rescued and restored the habitat, as tour guide Jen Kalt of Humboldt Baykeeper explained.
Later, I drove through giant redwood groves and past haystack rock formations along the coast, slowing at signs warning of elk crossings. This is a different, wilder coast than the one we know in Southern California, where development has blocked beach access and coastal vistas.
The challenge now is to preserve what's left and to demand that coastal commissioners remain faithful to the letter and spirit of the Coastal Act during a year of tumult, controversy, legislative reform and political drama, with developments big and small up for consideration.
I had brunch in Arcata with Ralph Faust, general counsel at the Coastal Commission for 20 years until 2006. He was grateful for the great successes of the last 40 years, but worried about what lies ahead, and he reminded me of the words of former Coastal Commission Executive Director Peter Douglas:
“The coast is never saved. It's always being saved.”
This morning, a short drive north to the Oregon border.
And then a U-turn.
Mexico or bust.
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Previously:
Taking in California's majestic coast from Oregon to Mexico
