Tunnel Open -- April 4, 2013

Today we took our first ride over the new Devil's Slide Bypass.  My wife drove south, kindly allowing me to take pictures.  We went up the hill on One, and found that the road made a slight curve on to the twin bridges, which led to the twin tunnels.  Here we see the approach from the bridge to the north portal of the south-bound tunnel.  Two of the many traffic lights are visible.  There were at least two sets of two fans each at the top of the tunnel.  There were many emergency phones and exit doors.  The shoulder was nice and wide.  After we left the tunnel, there was a short bridge, then a smooth transition back onto the old highway. 

It was raining lightly as we went to Half Moon Bay and parked on Main Street.  We had a nice lunch at the Main Street Grill.  We took a little walk and visited the Cunha Country Store, which had signs in the window proclaiming new ownership. 

We went to the Strawflower Center and visited the pharmacy and the pet store.  The cat has been ill and needed some supplies. 

I drove north on One.  The transitions off the old road and back on were very smooth going that way. 

Devil's Slide Bypass Tunnels Open -- March 25, 2013

The Ocean Shore Railroad was killed off by, among other things, Devil's Slide, a scenic stretch of coastline which keeps slipping down towards the ocean. The state took over the land to build Highway One. Highway One has fallen in many times during or shortly after the rainy season, often being closed for several months. This is very bad for the local economy. My dad was involved in drilling and studying the area in the 1950s.

 Today a bunch of politicians will cut the ribbon on the Devil's Slide bypass, only 16 years after the voters approved the project.  Better late than never.

This sign stood at the site office of one of the contractors, on the otherwise unused Oddstad School property. I took the photo on 10-October-2007. 

Other things that killed the Ocean Shore include the 1906 Earthquake and Fire and the automobile.  

Hollywood Walk of Fame -- February 8, 2010

Today the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce started celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. I took this photo of Harold Lloyd's star, which is rather well-worn, on 18-July-2009.

Today I had a vacation day. I took my daughter to Half Moon Bay for lunch. After we visited Bay Books and picked up a few volumes, she waited patiently while I looked for firehouses and Ocean Shore Railroad stations to take photos. Granada Station was hard to find. She was amused that Kelly Street Station in Half Moon Bay was being used for a Jazzercise class. I'm grateful that my family puts up with my interests.

I have mixed feelings about the tunnel to replace Devil's Slide. I'll miss the view.

Signs of the Times #4 -- November 29, 2007

The Ocean Shore Railroad was killed off by Devil's Slide, a scenic stretch of coastline which keeps slipping down towards the ocean. The state took over the land to build Highway One. Highway One has fallen in many times during or shortly after the rainy season, often being closed for several months. This is very bad for the local economy. My dad was involved in drilling and studying the area in the 1950s.

There have been many proposals to bypass Devil's Slide. One would have torn a big gash through the Shamrock Ranch and a park. There is a project going on now to build a tunnel. First they built a bridge to span the valley of Shamrock Ranch. When they got to the other side, they started to dig the two bores.

This sign stands at the site office of one of the contractors, on the otherwise unused Oddstad School property. I took the photo on 10-October-2007.