November on the Coast!

Wow do we have a lot to look forward to!

The stormy weather has already begun, so the river is up and running again. Kayaking in the fall can be absolutely fantastic!  The fragrance here is really something else. With the rains soaking in, the air is filled with refreshing bay laurel and spicy redwood duff, mixed with salt spray and the restaurant next door. It’s so great here when the air is fresher than ever, yet so rich with enticement.

The redwood coast celebrates Thanksgiving and Christmas beautifully, with pageants, and galas, and even a Lighted Truck Parade. Honest! If you’ve never been, you must come see the variety of big rigs (and small rigs) decorated and lit up as they cruise downtown Gualala along Highway One after dark. You might be showered with candy tossed from one of the floats, or be startled by a blast from an air horn. The crowds are cheery and there’s free hot refreshments for all.

For more on local events, be sure to check the Chamber web site at http://www.redwoodcoastchamber.com/ 

If you want to come stay for a few days, check out the great homes for rent at
www.CoastingHome.com

$900

Nine Hundred Dollars.

Depending on your resources and needs, that could be a LOT of money…or not even close to enough.

Recognizing that it’s only a drop in the bucket, we are still very pleased to be donating just over $900!

 We promised in early July to commit $5.00 from each paid reservation during July and August to be used to help people affected by the huge firestorm in northern California in the early summer. Some of it has already gone to a National Guard troop who were fighting fire and watching hot spots just north of our town.

We will designate a portion to local fire departments to offset some of their fuel costs, and the rest we will target at a regional level. It’s times like this when we are so thankful to be more than just a small business. We’re part of a large and wonderful community.

Our deepest gratitude to you for your business. Come back again soon!

Naked Ladies In The Sun

It’s OK!  Look all you want!!! 

 

 

 

Naked ladies on Ten Mile Cutoff

This provocative portrait was perfectly pictured by Michelle Staples (the CERT trainer mentioned in a prior post).

OK, they started appearing a couple weeks ago. We’re watching now to see when the rains start so we can track any relationship to autumn rainfall, the arrival of the amaryllis, and how all that relates in one season to the next year’s events.

The hypothesis is something like: “The presentation of naked ladies can be used as a predictor of the oncoming winter start-date and conditions.”

And you thought life on the coast was simple!

Learning to be A-CERTive

If you haven’t heard of it before, CERT is Community Emergency Response Team training that offers a course in a range of emergency response techniques. The aim is to provide citizens with the skills and knowledge necessary to be effective in a variety of circumstances so they are part of the solution, rather than adding to the problem for other responders. There is an emphasis on “Team” work, reminding trainees to buddy up whenever possible. That focus also means that others in our communities are encouraged to train, so that in an event, there may be several CERT trained volunteers that can quickly form a team and address the needs as they arise.

We have two very dedicated local folks who have given months worth of hours to train dozens of our coastal residents. Ken Reynoldson and Michelle Staples donate their time, materials, and endless patience. Their extensive experience includes disaster response, EMT and fire department operations, amateur radio work, and calls from the Red Cross to travel after flooding, hurricanes, etc.  Ken and Michelle always have great ideas and lots of very real stories to bring this training into context. They are awesome! Michelle is a published authority on animal rescue, and is often heard reminding us to be mindful of the needs of animals–large and small–during our training.

You can see more about her book here: http://www.saveyourhorse.com/save.htm 

Ashley and Athena are the latest Coasting Home staff to receive this training.

This photo is from the exciting section on Fire Safety.

Ashley teamed with Athena (rear) advancing toward the flames.

We hope to never need to put this training into practice, but it feels good to have some good skills to rely on…just in case.

If you find that CERT training is available in your area, we strongly encourage you to take advantage of it. It’s fun, very informative, and works great for teens to seniors. Everyone can help!

Our 5th Birthday Present

 

Here is the winner of a super-duper deluxe BBQ tool set that we gave as a gift to celebrate Coasting Home’s 5th birthday.

Robert with our Reservation Staff, Athena & Ashley

 

After nearly two weeks of arriving guests drawing from our grab bag in hopes of winning the special gift, Robert checked in for his bluff-top vacation home getaway and left with the goodies! Bon apetit!

 

Special Event at The Point Arena Lighthouse

Way back in the olden times, there was a LOT of ocean traffic along the Redwood Coast. Shipping was the way to get people and stuff back and forth between the abundant and beautiful region up here, and the bustling hungry building-crazy boom towns in the San Francisco Bay area. We sent them tan bark, redwood lumber, ocean products, and stories of the endless forests, wildlife and hot springs! They sent us tourists and workers. Long before the Golden Gate Bridge and Highway One existed, there were ferries, stage coaches and schooners in constant motion along this area! 

One wonderful survivor of those glorious days is our very own Point Arena Lighthouse. What was a Coast Guard Station and light at the western point of land to keep ships safe, is now a fantastic visitor destination. They have a few vacation cottages, a museum, and you can tour the lighthouse, too! The views from the point are incredible, and during whale season, it’s a real treat. This year marks their centennial, and they’re puttin’ on a big shindig to celebrate.  Read all about it!  save-the-light-dinner

Late Naked Ladies (the flowers!) This Year?

   This is what I mean!

I have this theory that the appearance of these landmark coastal beauties is related to the seasons, but I can’t quite figure out how. At first I thought that the timing of their blooms would indicate an early or late winter, or perhaps hint at the amount of rain to come or how cold it would be. But I can’t corroborate that with any long-time locals or quick research on the Net. We usually start to see them in mid to late July, but here it is August 2, and I haven’t seen a single one! 

So, now I’m wondering if they are more tied to the season PAST, rather than to come. This year the rains ended early, and we’ve had less than normal fog in the summer. So…maybe last year’s bulbs didn’t get a deep enough drink to boost them out on the regular schedule?

These gorgeous, fragrant flowers make the most spectacular natural bouquets all across our fields and meadows, in tucked away places, and right out in front of things, too.  Locals use them in arrangements when visiting friends, or display them on desks and customer service counters for weeks. They sort of lift the spirits as summer is dwindling, and provide some refreshment to hold us until the fall rains finally arrive.

If you know something about this, post it here! I’d love to learn more about it.

CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES–WE WANT TO HELP!

 To acknowledge the blessing and prosperity Coasting Home has enjoyed during our first 5 years, we are donating $5.00 from every paid reservation during the months of July and August to contribute in a teensy way toward easing the blow of this summer’s firestorm.

Not quite sure where the money will go at this point, but the intention is to help at the local level. Our hearts and prayers are focused on Big Sur and other threatened areas, and all the crews who are working so very hard to protect lives and property.

Coasting Home is so blessed! We are celebrating our FIFTH anniversary in 2008, and have been doing a variety of special events and promotions to highlight the milestone. But right now the fun seems very frivolous when compared to the challenges being faced by so many small towns and regular people across our state.

The recent wildfires in Mendocino County stayed just north of Gualala and our neighboring community. Although we know a lot of people who have been directly affected–whether threatened by fire, or working on the firelines–we’ve been marvelously untouched. The town of Big Sur has been much less fortunate this week, with evacuation notices in effect all over that area, and business completely shut down. We thank you for joining us in this idea.

7/12/08 *update* on Wildfires

Local crews, reenforcements from around the western states, and even some National Guard troops continue their extraordinary efforts to contain and ultimately control the fires burning in Mendocino County. As of Friday 7/11/08 Mountain View Road is CLOSED to through traffic. Please read the update on the link here: http://www.fire.ca.gov/downloads/incidents/Mendocino_FactSheet_071108_pm.pdf

In areas beyond that immediate location, life continues pretty much normally. Our coastal overcast has returned, temps are cool and comfortable, and our air quality is good!

 

We thought it would be good to post an update on the status of wildfires, road and travel conditions, and the air quality on our part of the coast. Also included here are some external links for specifics from CalFire and Mendocino fire authorities.

• The nearest fire is in the rugged terrain off Mountain View Road about 9 miles inland from Highway One.
• Gualala and Sea Ranch are in NO immediate danger.
• Gualala and Sea Ranch have good air quality at this time. Haze is aloft, and winds are favorable along the ocean.

For up-to-date official information follow these links:

• http://www.fire.ca.gov/index_incidents.php
• http://www.co.mendocino.ca.us/oes/fires.htm

Or, feel free to call our staff with any concerns you may have.

In addition to the fires in Mendocino County and surrounding areas, Big Sur is a focal point for resources at this time. We understand as of Saturday that evacuations and the overall situation there are affecting tourists with vacation plans. We’ve had calls from folks that are having to relocate at the last minute. We hope to be able to accommodate those that need vacation housing, as well as neighbors who are are trying to get to some fresh air.

Our coastal area is open to serve, and the air is much fresher here than almost anywhere in northern California at this point.

Remember to always check for the latest conditions before beginning a road trip, and always be prepared to take care of yourself; do not become part of the problem. Stay safe!

Schooner Gulch. High Noon. Be There.

Let this form a mental picture as you read.  A beach is filling with a small crowd. Some are in strange costumes that look like comic book strongmen or The Incredible Hulk.  A huge rope lies in the sand, marked in the center. The sun is just about to reach it’s zenith. The shrill screech of a fish hawk swirls eerily down to the surf.

The scene is in response to a call that has gone out across the land.  The first annual Point Arena vs. Gualala Tug-O-Rope is about to take place! It’s locals only (no ringers please). So, pick an end and P-U-L-L !  Costumes are encouraged (think “strong!”, the organizers say) as is carpooling.

Not a Local?  Come and watch!! This is going to be so fun! This brings out the very best of what we are as a community, just one of the brilliant facets of Redwood Coast living.

We’ll try to get some photos posted after Gualala wins the Tug!