Mendo 2004
Mel Mashman

Hi Folks,

This is my first attempt at a trip report. It appears that there are usually two versions presented - A short one and a long one.

This is a long one with emphasis on food, paddling and friendship.

Friday May 14 to Monday May 17th - Mendocino WSK Trip: Due to Andy's effort, 45 or so paddlers and non paddlers assembled at the Mendocino Camp Ground for a camping and kayaking weekend. Deirdre and I left SF on schedule two hours later than I had planned. On the way we read the excellent trip guidelines put together by committee - a very worthy read.

We arrived while it was still light and made a very wise decision - we crashed Cass and Richard Beard's group camp site. Little did I know this meant a Friday dinner, wonderful breakfasts, and most of all - delightful camping buddies.

On Friday evening a few of the adventuresome types walked into Mendocino for dinner. The camp was fairly mellow. Buck, Vicki, Cass and Richard hit a few (4) wineries on the way up and wondered why they were subdued. Richard made a "what was available" dinner. We drank wine and chatted the night away.

On Saturday morning my excellent site selection was in high gear. Richard broke out the eggs and provided omelets for 20. Luckily they staggered in (some literally) at intervals and Richard was able to accommodate the entire group with one pan. He really had the omelet making into a science with an uneven stove that allowed the starboard side of the eggs to be a little thin, allowing a nice sweep roll.

We gathered at 9 AM for a meeting to decide on paddling itineraries and watch Andy do an ash-hole dance in a fire ring. We broke our laughter and assembled into two groups to either paddle the Albion River for a leisurely windless day or to challenge the high seas and swells rock gardening at Russian Gulch. Deirdre and I choose to accompany about 23 paddlers on the Albion. The big river was another option, but it was determined that it had a tendency to have bad breath near the mouth.

At Albion, there was a charge of $5.00 per boat to launch and we entered the river via a dock or ramp depending on personal preferences. It was a beautiful day with blue skies, occasional small gusts of wind and plenty of calm water. We saw wonderful scenery with endless trees along the bank, floating shacks and boats (some in set-up position). Some of the day was spent looking for bird life. John Kern and Trevlyn were our bird dogs and identified a few creatures like a pair of large gray herons, several osprey and endless hawks. There were of course more birds, but all I could identify and remember is "wild duck".

Deirdre, Diane, Rafael and I eventually paddled to where the mighty river became a calm creek and decided that Lewis and Clark had more time so we turned around to find that the whole group went ashore up a small muddy embankment. We relieved ourselves of some liquid that had been building up and relaxed in the tall grass. Eventually we became well done and headed back into the water. Rafael performed a mud entry and John did a seal launch. The rest of us did a variety of spread eagle moves to capture the cockpits and we were off back to the launch spot. It was a wonderful day in nature. Hopefully poison oak was not a problem for those who bared the woods.

On the return to camp, Jumbo, Diane, John and perhaps a few others joined Rainer and did a short paddle to view sea caves. Dean and Janine were on a double sit-on-top around the south end of the cove. I admired them, but thought more about the desire not to redress for a short outing. Instead I wanted to spend more time at Van Damn the next day. Little did I know that was in the cards.

Saturday night was a potluck feast. There were over 30 different dishes including Deirdre's Indian lamb dish complete with rice, rose pedals, red peppercorns and mango. Ralph made wonderful sautéed steak fajitas and Jim's three-burner was doing overtime with tortellinis, sausage, and roasted peppers. There were many (many) more dishes including deserts, tarts (thank you Phil), and of course plenty of non alcoholic and alcoholic beverage including an Australian Port.

After dinner, without the need for more wine, somehow Deirdre dared me into doing a few verses of Old MacDonald's animals in full part harmony. Speaking of harmony - Melissa broke into song - a really fine voice. Similar to mine, but enjoyable. Later Andy mastered the fine art of limp marshmellowing - i.e. carbonized goo. The evening finished with a birthday cake for Jumbo, Russ and Yoshiko (with a few others having May wet exits).

Eventually, we all staggered back to our canvas dorms. We were up early on Sunday to pancakes, sausage, and coffee at the communal camp. John and Andy mastered pancake art spelling out WSK and creating the odd battered phallic symbol.

During Saturday night or early Sunday, Buck was talking to others where all great decisions are made (over a urinal - anyway that's the story I heard) and came up with the idea for the Sunday paddle. I suspect his thought pattern went like this "Let's take the group for a Dam Van paddle". Many of us had never had the opportunity to get out to explore sea caves and experience exotic sea-nary.

As luck would have it, we were all interested in a single paddle. Launch time was set at 11:27 AM at Van Damn. A few went home to deal with other commitments, but 22 assembled on the beach. Conditions were truly ideal. The winds from yesterday had blown out and we ALL headed north for a fabulous paddle. For many of us this really was our first exposure to sea caves. How really NICE in ideal conditions. I was surprised by the number of caves we could paddle through exiting at an alternate route. Some of the caves even had phosphorescence. I also choose to experience a chaperoned rough water exercise. The swells were smaller than I had experienced, but the chop and swell caused some interesting boat movements. I came away with the idea that my boat design (an Avocet) caused the boat to want to be upright as much as I did. This was a definite confidence builder. Although there were some exhilarating moments, the objective to stretch my experience was definitely accomplished.

The paddle also provided an opportunity for experienced paddlers to play in rough water and shoot over rocks with a water surge. My compliments to Buck for leading the expedition, and Phil, Andy, Russ, Ray, Cass, Vicki and Jim for herding the animals (myself gladly included). I have to say that a good time was had by all, especially the novice group having a first exposure to sea caves and rock gardens. This I rate as my all time "best" day trip. Thanks again to the club as a whole for promoting safety and helping others learn more about the joy of sea kayaking.

After the paddle we had a picnic on the beach and were provided intense bottle opening training by Jumbo. Most headed directly from the beach on home. Cass, Richard, Jumbo, Trevlyn, Phil, Deirdre and I planned on staying another night and headed back to camp to a HOT shower before heading out to view the Mendocino bluffs with other examples of sea caves and arches. We all had dinner at the Mendocino Cafe before going back to wine, desert, and a nice camp fire with some of Richard's "ugly wood". Trevlyn and I sang a few verses of "The Wild West Show", another shameless rugby song. We also discussed the fine art of snake bite first (or in some cases) last aid. Jumbo, Cass and Richard had plenty of knowledge and experience to share. Phil had more experience with escargot.

Eventually we all decided to bed down for the night. In the morning around 6:30 AM Richard was at it again preparing omelets, mango (sliced for viewing), and toast. Cass made coffee and sausage. These guys were unstoppable (who would want to?). The seven of us gathered for breakfast before breaking camp and heading out. Deirdre and I stopped at our favorite Anderson Valley vineyard (Brutocao) before making the journey back to the not so civilized world.

In summary, Mendocino, May 2004 was a well planned and executed trip with strong leadership, and great weather, and even better people. Thanks to all that were involved in making a magnificent weekend happen!