Mason Williams by the Sea (missing) LbNA #28301 (ARCHIVED)

*Update* Poor Mason has gone missing. More than three people have emailed me to tell me this, so I must assume he really is gone. It's still a great beach that is tucked away, and the hike is wonderful too. If someone has found him before and would like to replace it, please do and let me know.





Mason Williams is a singer/songwriter/poet/comedian/environmentalist. He wrote for the Smothers Brothers Show in the 60s and he hasn't stopped since. My favorite book by him is a collection of his poems and songs called The Mason Williams Reading Matter where you will find the photo of him that I carved for the stamp. Here's one of his more goofy songs/poems:

Them Moose Goosers

How about Them Moose Goosers,
Ain't they recluse?
Up in them boondocks,
Goosin' them moose.

Goosin' them huge moose,
Goosin' them tiny,
Goosin them meadow-moose
In they hiney.

Look at them Moose Goosers,
Ain't they dumb?
Some use an umbrella,
Some use a thumb.

Them obtuse Moose Goosers,
Sneakin' through the woods,
Pokin' them snoozy moose
In they goods.

How to be a Moose Gooser?
It'll turn you puce;
Gitchy gooser loose and
Rouse a drowsy moose!


The Clues:

From the 101, head south on Storke Road. Turn right on Hollister and the left on Cannon Green Dr. Go all the way to the end of the road until it bends to the east/left and turns into Phelps. There should be a little dirt area at this bend where you can park your car. Go southwest on this path that runs near some apartments. As you enter Ellwood Acres take a left at the first fork.

The path dips and winds a bit. You'll pass three big bench/plank things and then head up hill. At the next fork go to the right. Stay on this path for about 4/10 of a mile. Another path will merge in with the one you're on and the road will widen as it heads toward the sea.

Soon you will see a chimney sticking out of the ground. Did the ground swallow a house here? It is a mystery. Take the path heading down to the water (southeast from the chimney). What was once a paved road is now a broken-down asphalt path leading to the sea. Follow the Driveway at the Edge of the World all the way down, past all the gaping holes where the asphalt has fallen down the cliffside, down to where the path becomes covered in sand. At this point directly ahead of you (west) is a sheer drop down. To your left is thick ice plant. To the northwest is the continuing path. Go 32 paces down this path. 3 paces to your right, directly into the iceplant, lies 3 rocks. Mason is practicing his guitar underneath these three rocks. Fellow letterboxer ManOfSuit wrote the Mason Williamsesque poem inside; we hope you enjoy it.

Please cover him well as this is a popular little trail and a lot of people like to pick up trash. I rearranged the ice plant so as to cover the rocks - please do the same.

This is a lovely place to watch the sunset as it usually clears out around dusk. Head back while it's still twilight else you'll be wandering in those woods in the dark!

Here's another one of Mason's songs:


Wanderlove

Come my love and we shall wander
All of life to see and know
In the Season's lostward rambling
All things come and all things go

We'll climb up the snowy mountains
Sail across the rolling sea
We shall live for one another
I for you and you for me

We'll go down to green grass meadows
Where the cold winds never blow
If we taste the wine of loving
Only you and I shall know

Come now my love, and we shall wander
Just to see what we find
If we only find each other
Still the journey's worth the time

Love is like a star of heaven
Burning in the endless sky
When it falls it bursts asunder
As it lives, so shall it die