Albion, CA

Our friends Kendall and John, from the Jalama Mamas and Papas, have Abalone permits and invite us to join them on a camping trip to Albion. We set off on the morning of a beautiful day in May just as the fog is starting to lift.

Hwy 280 driving northward around Woodside

Still foggy at the Golden Gate

Both our timing and our favorite sneak through San Francisco work well and we are soon free of both the City and the Marin suburban sprawl.

Ahhh - open road on Hwy 101 in the sunshine

Checkers sez "Are we there yet?"

At Cloverdale, we exit the freeway onto Hwy 128, which takes us through classical bucolic California including the Anderson Valley, a renowned wine producing area,  then we cut through the coastal redwood forests and are soon drivng California Coast Hwy 1.

Driving on such a nice day is a delight

Oak trees are happier this Spring after the El Nino rains

Anderson Valley winery

This Bed & Breakfast looks interesting

Coastal Redwoods

Headed north on Hwy 1

Not long after reaching the coast, we turn off to Schooner's Landing on the Albion River where we are to camp for the next few days.

There's the turn off

Looks like Schooners were here

Humm - this place must have been popular in the '60's

What a great campground!

Some of the group already arrived yesterday. By the time we drive in, Rob and John are busy cleaning the abs (abalones) which were harvested earlier this morning. In fact, processing the abs is mostly a guy job because of the force needed.  First, the tough muscle of the abalone foot has to be prided out of the shell. Then cleaned and cut into steaks. Finally, the steaks need to be tenderized by vigorously pounding with a mallet.

Once the steaks are ready, the ladies take over.  The first two nights Kendall and Drina (our two master chefs) fried the steaks in a tempura type batter. On the third night (under chef supervision), we cut the steaks into strips and rolled them up with a slice of fresh jalapeno pepper and cheese before frying the "poppers" as before with the tempura type batter.  Each night the abalone seemed to get better. My personal favorite were the poppers as they go down well with a nice cold beer.

No we didn't eat just abalone, we also had fresh mussels cooked in a wine sauce, plus appetizers, side dishes and of course desserts all washed down with beer and/or wine. It's a good thing we were all actively burning off calories as we certainly ate and drank well.

Rob and John prep fresh abs

Such a lovely setting

John fires up his boat

After setting up our own camp and checking in with the rest of the group, we take the hounds for a walk up and down the river.

With all those kayaks, this must be a summer camp

That evening as the shadows grow longer, we enjoy the wonderful bird watching - spotting great blue herons, snowy egrets, osprey, and Canadian geese as well as gulls and many smaller birds.

A great blue heron fishing for dinner

A family of Canadian geese out on an evening stroll

In typical May grey fashion, the mornings along the coast are foggy. We get up early and take the dogs down to the beach.

Albion River in the fog (photo by Udo)

Towards Schooner's Landing

There's a nursery of Harbor seal moms and their pups

Peter and puppies at the beach

Remnants of an old pier

Gnarled roots of trees washed down in storms

You can almost see the ghosts of sailing ships coming in and out of this cove

After beach combing for glass and shells, we start back towards camp.

Fish eye view of Albion town

Two old salts are out to catch dinner

Harbor seal moms and pups snoozing

Back at camp, Kendall shows Peter Drina's inflatable paddle board (or SUP - stand up paddle).  Of course, they have to try it out.  First Peter pumps it up, then Kendall tests it out for yoga worthiness. Finally, Peter pushes off the pier for a spin around river.

Kenny - good form. Want to try it on water?

Peter pushes off by the dock

and away he goes.

Later we borrow Kendall & John's double kayak to explore up river.  We pass an island with 20-30 great blue herons perched on the branches of dead trees.  We also see several floating hand built house boats - some in better shape than others. They all hearken back to the 1960's when hippies happily squatted on open land in this area. We got a laugh out of two house boats which faced each other - one with Buddhist statues and prayer flags flying - the other with statues of Jesus and Mary.  We wonder how well these neighbors get along. Too bad I didn't bring my water proof camera.  Oh well - next time.

Peter provides the power stroke while I smile for the camera (photo by Udo)

One afternoon, Udo, Peter and I go wine tasting in the Anderson Valley... or rather Udo and Peter go wine tasting while I fill in as the designated driver. The priciest stop is at the Golden Eye Winery, where a single bottle can set you back over $100.  It's out of our budgets, but for $15 each the guys get to drink some expensive swills. While they debate over the merits of different wines, I wander around the grounds amusing myself taking pictures.

Entrance Golden Eye Winery

Flight of wine tastings (photo by Udo)

Outside patio overlooking vineyards

Now that's a wine country view!

Lunch is at a more affordable local deli

On our last day, we are all up early to pack up and move on.

Drina unhooks her utilities

Cork watches John load kayaks on his roof

John hooks up his boat while Kendall waits

Udo, Cork, Cathy, Peter and me drive up to Mendocino for lunch at Cafe Beaujolais. Funny for a French restaurant, all the staff speaks mostly Spanish.  Still, the food is good (especially the bouillabaisse) and we thoroughly enjoy each others' company before moving on.

Entrance to Cafe Beaujolais (photo by Udo)

Bouillabaisse for lunch