September 23, 1998

Why does the Ocean Shore RR owe taxes?

One of the fun things about doing a column: people ask questions, assuming I might know answers. Sometimes I know. Even when I don't, trivia's fun. These came drifting in through the E-mail transom from some very nice people. Since everybody knows better than anybody, perhaps you've a better answer than I. If you do, my e-mail address is reactor@wenet.net. I don't get into the Tribune office much these days, but they're kind enough to make sure I get my phone messages.

(Q) Paul, Why does the Ocean Shore RR owe taxes? Didn't they go out of business about 60 years ago? See Trib San Mateo Co. Tax Default list. (I'm) curious! Betty.

(A) They just stopped running trains. There's still an Ocean Shore Railroad. It owns land, pays taxes (usually) and clouds titles. I've met the owner. He lives in Santa Rosa, and doesn't know much about the history of the railroad. He inherited it. No plans to run trains.

(Q) Dear Mr. Azevedo: I hope you won't be offended by my asking (you) questions. You strike me as someone who has as motley a collection of interests as I. In Park Pacifica, Kathleen Court is the only narrow residential street NOT bearing the same name as a park (excluding the "Estates" section). Why is that? I tell people it's probably the name of Andy Oddstad's daughter.

(A) I don't know. My guess is it was the name of a relative of Gordon Hanson or Charles Trifeletti, who ran Challenge Development and built Park Pacifica after Oddstad died in 1964. Who knows the facts?

(Q) Where would one stand in California if s/he wanted to see farthest away from the California border (not out in space!)? And what would that person be looking at? (Assume 100% visibility & a powerful telescope, such that the only limitations are the curvature of the earth.) e.g. If I stand on the beach, I can see (35?) miles out to sea. If I stand on Montara Mtn., I can see further. If I stand on Mt. Whitney, I can't see out to sea at all, but I should be able to see a long way into the Nevada Desert. If there were a tall mountain a little beyond that farthest point in the desert, I could see it, making the total miles even more.

My guess is that standing on Mt. Shasta, one could theoretically see a mountaintop in the Oregon Cascades which would be further away from California than standing on a Sierra mountaintop. Do you have a friends in the USGS (who) know the answer? I enjoy your columns. Lou

(A) Short answer: I don't know. I agree Whitney or Shasta are excellent possibilities. From Shasta, at 14,000 feet, you might see another stratovolcano 12 or 14,000 feet high. Perhaps even Mt. Rainier in Washington State? or Mts. Hood, Adams, etc. Telescope Peak in the southern Sierra has an excellent view of Death Valley. It might also have an unobstructed view of a 10,000 foot peak far into Nevada.

Another good guess would be The King Range in Humboldt County, 4000 feet high and next to the ocean. A view from a high ridge south of Tahoe might also work. If any reader knows an answer, let Lou and me know. (bold face tail piece)

Paul Azevedo doesn't know all the answers, but he thinks looking for them is fun. How about you?