Fall 2024

112 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • F A L L 2 0 2 4 best suited to the area. Today, there are two ancient rose bushes on the property with trunks the diameter of small trees.They’re quite healthy, blooming annually. It’s tempting to think they were planted by the Ewoldsens. Motel rooms went up on the east side of the highway, the first of what are now 22 accommo- dations. As for the dining room, it has undergone significant changes over the years, but plenty of vestiges abound—if one knows where to look.At one point, Pheneger Creek coursed through the hall.A long rectangular concrete patch in the floor marks where it once was. That was long before Mazurek’s time,“But I can’t imagine trying to step over that with a full tray of food,” she laughs. A huge and inviting river-stone fireplace dom- inates the front room, where the floor is made up of squares of native redwood. “The original floor was made of redwood rounds,” Mazurek says. “Woodworker Dan O’Rourke recently took those old rounds out, saved the ones he could and added newer ones.” It’s easy to see the difference as the older wood is darker. A large portion of the materials used in the build- ings comes from the property. Alan Perlmutter and his wife Nancy Sanders, who have owned and operated The River Inn since 1988, recently stepped down and handed the reins to their youngest son Ben. Ben and wife Laurel Flagg took over management in September 2023. It’s been a great relief to the Big Sur com- munity that this iconic business will remain in fam- ily hands, as it has for nearly a century. Colin Twohig, childhood friend of Ben and Laurel, was named general manager. He started tending bar here in 2018.“I found that I loved it and fell in love with the Big Sur community.” He was promoted quickly to bar manager, then This school bus has stood next to the property for decades. No one knows if it was towed here or just broke down and stayed in place. Today, it’s a cute shop serving Marianne’s ice cream. Respected and beloved by the Big Sur community, owners Alan Perlmutter and wife Nancy Sanders are stepping down from decades of running the inn. Photo: Kelli Uldall Photo: Kelli Uldall