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