The Annual Albion Camping Trip

Tuesday August 12,2005
The Annual Albion Camping Trip has drawn to an end. We have had a really fun time with everyone. We had quite the tent city set up next to Nana & Papa's motorhome and the Wilkerson's motorhome. Ed, Amy, Severin & Charlie Elste's trailer took our old spot while Jon, Jeanette, Seth & Erik Krogstad, Jim & Tammy Channel, Shawn, Brenda, Emma & Cole Kiely, and Jareds tent were nestled with ours. I didn't think we could live in something smaller than a 42 foot sailboat but this 6 ft. tent has served us very well. It is a lot of fun to be able to hear all the sounds as the day wakes up or winds down on the water and on land. Luckily we do have Nana & Papa's beautiful motor home (emphasis on home) to make life a little easier. They are holding our clothes for us and every couple of days we can run in there and take a shower if we don't want to spend the quarters at the campground facilities. We brought the boat down from the Noyo Harbor and one of the local fisherman allowed us to use his mooring here in the little bay. She bobbed around patiently while we enjoyed life on land for a little while. It was fun to see it in this familiar setting that holds a special place in our hearts.
The camp ground itself is a bit of a dirt spit set on the edge of Little Albion River and tucked under a beautiful historical wooden trestle bridge. Everyone comes here for the fishing and come August 1st, abalone season. Nana, Papa & Felix Wilkerson were the big fisher(wo)men this year and brought in quite a few rock fish, ling cods, and salmon. Of course we all know that Nana catches the biggest. (every year!) Bruce & Ed dove for their limits for abalone as well.
We have all been practicing our surfing and hanging 10. The waves are not huge but big enough for us. All the boys got up and loved every minute of it. I myself even had a ton of fun and some success, but have decided it will be even more fun in warmer waters. The wet suits help a bit, but the 51 degree water catches up with you eventually. Especially if you get dunked as often as I do. There is also a lot of boogie boarding, kayak riding, crab chasing and sand castle building going on. We spend a good part of each day combing the beach for treasures to collect and to use on art projects. This year we covered a planter for Nana mosaic style and planted basil in it for her.
The tide pools were spectacular. We were able to see them at the lowest tide yet for us. It takes getting up a bit earlier and a little hike through some tall grassy fields but it was worth it, so say the boys. We were rewarded with views of a variety of starfish, crabs, fields of muscles and urchins, hermit crabs, and hosts of other creatures. We left there to enjoy our annual Mendo burger complete with fat fries and chocolate shakes. Day done.
Most evenings end around the campfire and marshmellows appear much to my delight. (Did I mention I love marshmellows!) There is also the annual competition to see who can get the best sunset picture. Really, there can't be any losers there. Tuesday we climbed back aboard Ohana Kai and ventured south to San Francisco and the Bay Area. In less than 24 hours we arrived at the Golden Gate Bridge at sunrise. Unfortunately, there was the typical thick fog and could only see the large footings and shadows of the bridge. Beautiful sounds of fog horns and lots of fishing boats welcomed us under. We found moorage in the south Bay at Coyote Point Marina in San Mateo. It is close to my parents home which makes for quick transportation by land. We will be staying with them off and on while we will visit friends and family in both of our home towns. We hope to see all the sights in the city and maybe even make it over to Yosemite for a quick trip. It was a regular spot for Bruce and I growing up but the boys have never been. The boys are excited to begin their part of this adventure on the boat, as we are excited to start sharing it with them. We will write again soon.
all our love,
Lisa and the boys

Getting to know Fort Bragg

Tuesday July 26,2005
We had a couple of days to get our land legs back and we are certainly got our exercise. Just south of Fort Bragg is a little fishing/campground that we have been coming to for an annual camping trip for years. (Bruce since he was a kid) Usually we have a vehicle to get around in but until everyone else arrived, Bruce and I were learning the lay of the land on foot. It was been a lot of fun. We went for morning runs and found the little trails that led us to the beach. We found our favorite surf/dive shops and an old acquaintance who now owns a beautiful glass blowing shop. Starting to know the regular panhandlers by name. We had to convince them we were not honing in on their corner. When people start asking you for directions around here, I am not sure if it is a compliment that you are becoming acclimated with your surroundings or you just need a nap and a shower.
On the docks we are surrounded by quite a few nicely kept fishing boats. The US Coast Guard is also located there amongst the fisheries and we are greeted with the revelry each morning at 8:00. It really is a quiet and protected marina from the wind and weather. We took the dinghy up the Noyo River the other day and found quite a lot of wildlife. Along with a variety of ducks, herons, cormorants, osprey and a really small woodland type deer, we ran into four fun (brave) boys enjoying a summer day by leaping off a bridge into the river.
Bruce's parents and the boys arrived a couple of days after us and we are all getting camp set up in Albion for when the rest of the campers arrive at the end of the week. Lots of fishing, beach combing, tide pooling are about to begin. The biggest news is that Matthew has mastered riding his bike. To quote Sensei Grout, he "never gave up". And to quote Matthew speaking under his breath about the new skinned knee, "A little drop of blood is not gonna stop me!". He is ready to ride off into the sunset with the gang.
The campground is not very full yet but all our old regular friends are here. Some fantastic salty dogs who rise with the sun, fish to their limit and compare catches around the cleaning station.
Everyone brings their extra produce from their gardens to share and there is always an extra mouth stopping by to taste or share their favorite dish. On Sunday, we found a pancake breakfast put on by the local Grange # 766. For $5, it was a feast of ham, eggs & pancakes with homemade blackberry syrup. It was a great time to meet some more colorful locals.
We have no phone coverage while we are down in the campground but will be checking emails/voice mail from time to time when we head into town. Hopefully in a few days I will have some new photos to add to the web site. Thanks so much for keeping in touch with us. It has been a lot of fun.
talk to you soon
all our love,
Bruce & Lisa and the docked Ohana Kai