In an effort to beat the heat, local authorities combined forces to pitch camp on the Nojoqui Grade and take a break today, Thursday July 15th.
Several departments worked together in a coordinated effort to set up a temporary rest stop/recreation area just north of the rest stop at Gaviota on the northbound side of the 101 freeway. Equipped with portable toilets, recreational vehicles and pole tents, officers employed numerous orange cones to mark off an extensive parking area for a number of visitors. The guest list included local police, paramedics, fire & rescue department, coroner's office, and even county sheriffs.
When asked what prompted the impromptu fun zone, Officer Bob Friendly replied while tending the BBQ, "Well, a lot of folks thought we did this because of all the rock slide excavation going on at the Gaviota stop, thinking that location was closed," he grinned.
"Fact is, it wasn't closed--we just got tired of John Q Public pulling in & out, not to mention all the noise from the tractors--and besides, there's a really nice swimmin' hole in the creek right down here in the ravine. We're waiting for the fire department to finish setting up the rope swing now."
Poking at the burgers on the grill, he shrugged. "Besides, it's been pretty slow all day so we figured it'd be a good time to boost morale and give all the departments a chance to work together & try to get along for once," he winked.
"It's not like we found a dead body down there or anything."
