Adopt-A-Highway 

Serving Highway 18 Along Our Big Bear Southwest Shore Colony

The late Chuck Avery, former owner of cabin 63, was very passionate about keeping the forest around the Southwest Shore Historic District clean and free of trash and debris. Back about 30 years ago Chuck signed up with CalTrans for the Adopt-a-Highway program for the 1.25-mile Hwy. 18 stretch between the dam and Castle Rock that runs through Southwest Shore tract. When the Landers quake hit in June 1992 Chuck thought it was a great opportunity to clean up the highway, as the road was closed to traffic, so he recruited us to help. From that day forward, Chuck always involved us in the Adopt-a-Highway program and after he passed away we changed the signage to read “Friends of Chuck Avery,” in memory of the first Southwest Shore resident to keep our neighborhood highway clean.

We have maintained this beautiful stretch of road for over 20 years now and feel it’s time to give someone else a chance to feel that same since of gratitude and appreciation for the area. Yes, we are ready to pass along our stylish CalTrans helmets and vests, trash bags and grabbers to others. Our routine has been to pick up trash at least 3 times each year: just before the 3 main holidays; Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day and usually once more before the snow flies. It takes us about 1 1⁄2 - 2 hours and we generally collect 5-6 bags full and put them in one of the turn-outs when finished. A call to the local CalTrans yard notifies them of how many bags and where to pick them up. Not only do you feel good about volunteering for this service, but you get in a couple of miles of exercise while doing it!

Of course, you can change the Adopt-a-Highway signage (one west of the dam; one by the Castle Rock parking turn- out) with CalTrans if you sign up for the program. On any name change, try not to reference the Southwest Shore or Historic District as we don’t want to encourage any additional tourists wandering around the cabins. An ideal scenario would be to have several participants, rather than having all responsibility for clean-up fall on one person’s shoulders. That way, the group could divide up periodic clean-ups that work for their schedule. Cal-Trans will supply multiple sets of gear so they would always be available. The group can choose one person to be the “official” Cal-Trans contact. If you are interested and want more details, please Contact Us. We will be happy to spend time showing the new participant(s) the tips and tricks of a clean-up. Our hope is that we keep this Adopt-A-Highway permit in the Southwest Shore family.

Dennis & Peggy Moran
Cabin 84