California monks TRAPPED in isolation - forced to ration food, supplies

A humble group of welcoming Catholic monks is facing hunger following storm damage to the only road that serves their retreat house. Heavy rains have damaged California's Highway 1, making it impossible to reach their home without a four-wheel-drive vehicle.

LOS ANGELES, CA (California Network) -- Monks at the New Camaldoli Hermitage in Big Sur, California have been cut off from the world since heavy storm damage ruined the only road and buckled a vital bridge to their home. The Hermitage also serves as a retreat house and accepts guests. The loss of the road and bridge also means the monks cannot receive visitors.

There are 29 monks at the Hermitage, and the only way they can get in or out is by a four-wheel-drive vehicle during lulls in construction activity. The difficulty is great enough the monks have been forced to ration food and fuel.

Father Robert Hale, made clear that "We're not dying of hunger yet or anything like that." Still, the monks are taking precautions, using what they have sparingly. It has been suggested the monks could have food brought in by helicopter, but this possibility is not yet under serious consideration.

The monks are low on propane, which they need to keep warm. Most of the monks are elderly, and may have greater need of warmth for comfort. Propane is typically delivered by truck, but with their only bridge damaged, no vehicle can reach the facility.

Still, none of them are complaining, and they are taking the change in stride. The Prior, Cyprian Consiglio told CNN in an email that the monks are "taking this as an opportunity to enjoy more solitude, silence, and simplicity..."

The monks also face a looming financial challenge as the damaged road means they cannot receive guests. The Hermitage has 25 guest rooms available for visitors who pay between $135 to $291 a night to stay. This income is no longer available.

The monks have set up a GoFundMe page to cover this shortfall, and they have asked for $300,000 in support. They only have $186,000 as of Tuesday morning.

Highway 1 is the only route to the Hermitage, and it has suffered greatly from storm damage It is considered one of the most scenic roads in the world as it winds through busy California beach towns, and hugs the cliffs of the central California coast. Big Sur is considered the most picturesque spot along the highway, and it can only by accessed along the 1.

California is generally dry, particularly in the central part of the state, but this year powerful storms put off the tropics have thrashed the coast repeatedly, delivering as much as twice the normal rainfall to the state. The extra rain has caused landslides and flooding. In Oroville, the excess water nearly resulted in the failure of a dam.

Concerned readers can donate to the New Camaldoli Hermitage Relief Fund by going here.

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