Years ago the rights to develop the land where the Little Sur River flows out into ocean was bought by the taxpayers in order to protect it from development. The digest sent out a reporter to the turnout just south of the river (the view of the beach and river is stunning from this vantage point, see picture), to talk about the view of the beach with a visitor.

Digest: What do you think of this view?

Visitor: I love it! But what's up with the 'no trespassing' signs!?

Digest: They are there to prevent people from going onto the beach.

Visitor: That sucks!

Digest: Maybe not! Consider what will happen to the beach if we have people walk on it, if we build parkinglots to accommodate cars, walkways and signs to guide foot traffic, etc.. As it now is it is preserved as one of the most pristine, untouched, wild, beautiful and wonderfully visually accessible beaches in the world! Imagine your granddaughter, when she's an adult, being able to bring her daughter to this beach and look at the Sandpipers running in and out of the surf just like we are doing now. Wouldn't that be an amazing gift to be able to give her?

Visitor: I did not think of it that way, I agree, what a good idea! Whoever thought that up deserves our gratitude! I hope it looks the same when I come back in ten years.

>>>>>>>>>>>>

When Pico Blanco wears the sunset like a lion skin
On his granite shoulders
I have followed her down to the sea
Where gulls and cormorants burn like phoenixes,
The great ocean is possessed by light and sound.

(from Little Sur River (A Ring of Willows) by Eric Barker

ed.note: If Poet Eric Barker was alive today he'd be very happy to see Little Sur River beach preserved. Many more poems will be written!