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