the stream is running again

You are really never quite sure when the stream returns in hours and minutes. At first its noise is blended only with the rain. And only when the rain cuts back, and you venture outside do you realize that the stream and falls are running again. And each time the rain breaks, the sound becomes a noise and then a roar. That happened today. Cazadero holds the record for being the wettest spot in the western united states.

The stream has started video

Sonoma County’s Cedars: a rare geologial wonder

The “Cedars” is the headwater for Austin Creek which flows through our canyon. Besides being one of the most pristine water sources it appears that the headwaters for the creek is a rare geological event. This is one of the few areas where the earth’s mantle is exposed and we get to see the transformation of mantle rock into serpentine. Most people will recognize the name, but around Cazadero we recognize that its one of the reasons behind the dazzling colors in our streams.

Austin Creek with its deep color of green

The deeper pools of Austin Creek are lined in Serpentine, and the great green hues just saturate the water. The article also explains why we always find so many interesting rocks when we walk the banks of Austin Creek. With all the geological metamorphosis going on at the headwaters, its natural to find all sorts of rocks while we walk along the creek. Though we have beached combed the creek for years, I didn’t realize how close we were to the “source”

a whitmans sampler of rocks at Austin Creek

I use to think of a walk on Austin Creek as a way to meditate, or get exercise. And my dog Hudson fervently believes its the best place on earth. And now I understand more about how much nature continues to make and remake this remarkable area.

Last year Thom and I went to the Annual Cazadero Christmas Parade. We noticed the posting at the general store. The parade was such a hit before that everyone in the general store was talking about what a good time they had, and how much the kids enjoyed playing in the snow.
We managed to get there early, and caught the local snow makers in the act. The following parade and Santa’s arrival was so picturesque that we decided to make it a tradition.

Cazadero Christmas 2010

Cazadero Christmas 2010

Traditions always take a while to get right.

This year we arrived late, and missed the parade. But we still had an incredible time. Every year there seems to be more local vendors, and some of the gift ideas are terrific. I was especially impressed this year with the home made can goods. There were jelly’s and jams of every description, and all might right here in the canyon. The kids played, and everyone lingered around the barbecue waiting for more Christmas beef and trimmings.

Flicker Album Cazadero Christmas

Winter is always a great excuse to cook inside, watch a streaming video and enjoy the fire in the big room. The commercial range and oven give added warmth to the entire room. The real reminder of the weather is just outside the windows.I grab my Ipad and head to Epicurious. Since I often cook in the “bold and fearless style”, I usually have a back up plan, i.e. “my favorite haunts for great food”.

This year the “Winter Hours” signs  seem to go up in unison. My favorite (and only) pizza in Cazadero, Raymonds are “Closed” without the slightest hint of being open for Christmas. And that takes out not only sandwiches and pizza, but also the best croissants in the morning.
Sam’s Holey Cow also went to winter hours. But thankfully they are open during the weekend (Friday through Sunday for breakfast and lunch). And they have added a “community dinner ” on posted weekend nights.

Almost all the dining spots like Boon have followed suit in Guerneville. So at this point the Redwoods are perfect for weekenders, and it gives the rest of us a chance to study up on Epicurious!

Click here to view the embedded video.

The generator has become one of those indulgences that is the background of Elements. Even I have become “use to” it and accept it as a fact of life. It joins a list of conveniences like wifi, ITv, streaming video, and good coffee. I was reminded of its importance over Thanksgiving weekend. The guests had been working several days of their Thanksgiving, when the power went out. They called to let me know it was on, and how it had “saved their day.” Although the power was out for several more days, they continued to have a great time on their stay. Its one of those conveniences that I accept like “wifi”. I am always happy its there, and it just lets me enjoy the winter even more.

There are so many small country communities that run Christmas Fairs this time of year that there is always one to visit, every weekend. And each one is unique. The handcrafts are always the attraction, I really like seeing things that are retested. Drift wood becomes chairs, and branches become Christmas writhers. Then there are the deserts and homemade treats. Its just a great way to spend part of the enjoying the countryside. Monte Rio’s Craft Fair is December 16-18.

The Christmas Parade in Cazadero was my favorite event last year. The volunteer fire department, foamed the Cazadero General Store. It was so perfect that the pictures do look like it snowed in Cazadero. After the foaming, there was a car parade, and then Santa arrived. Pursued by the kids eagerly watching from the sideline. I know its old fashion, and even hokey, but there was a simplicity that really celebrated the holidays.

The regular events like the Holiday Fair in Guerneville offer two or three days of things to do. So its simple to grab a tree lighting, or take the kids to see Santa. And of course, unlike the big city; its simple to do. The annual highlight is the parade of lights, and its December 3. Before that is a citywide celebration of music and holiday festivities.

On Wednesday, 8/31/11, we went to “Canopy Tours” in Occidental (~20 minutes from Monte Rio/Cazadero; http://www.sonomacanopytours.com/) for our first Zip line adventure. We kept trying to make a reservation all summer, but they were always booked. We decided to try booking a mid-week afternoon run and were finally able to get a reservation. After signing an intimidating waiver relinquishing all of our rights if we got hurt, maimed, or died in the process, we, along with 6 other “Zip Virgins” and 2 experienced guides (10 total), headed out for our first zip experience through the Redwoods in Sonoma County.

At the base camp, after gearing up with blue harnesses, yellow leather gloves, and red helmets, we got some basic zip training in “Zip Ground School.” We were shown the following zip basics:

• Hookup and Hand Placement: Step up on the little log on the zip platform. The guide hooks you up to the cable (always face the guide on the opposite side of the cable), then place your right hand on top of the zip trolley/hook, and your left hand on top of your right. Apparently, today we’d be using our left hand for breaking and stopping.
• Breaking/Slowing: Use the “Tostada”/”Tortilla” format when given the signal by the guide to slow down, which means you press an open/flat hand palm down against the cable behind the zip trolley/hook to slow down/break your speed. The guides told us that you do not ever want to “taco” or “burrito” it (i.e., close your hand partially or completely around the cable). Also, you always want to make sure to break behind the Zip trolley/hook, never in front.
• Parking Break: Gripped hands on the zip line cable in front and back of the Zip trolley/hook.

We got to practice our first zip training on a very short and low cable near the ground. After everyone passed the basics, we loaded up in the electric truck and were driven up the hill to the starting point. We did 7 zips total. The first one was not too far and not too fast; a good confidence builder. The second one was much longer and faster; it was so long you couldn’t even see the platform or the guide on the other side! On that run, when you used your left hand to break you could actually feel the heat in your left hand from the friction as you “tostada’d” on the cable to slow yourself down. From there we did several more runs of varying degrees of length and speed. At the end of each run you’d land on a small circular platform hugging the next Redwood tree. You could really feel the trees sway as each person started their run and landed on the platform.

After the first tree platform, there were no more railings on the platforms in the course, so everyone was staying away from the edges and holding on to the cables and literally doing some tree hugging sometimes. Of course, we were always hooked to the cable, so there was no real danger of falling. Regardless, it was hard to get used to, so we always huddle together tightly.

In the beginning (OK all the time), I was nervous! I just didn’t want to make any stupid mistakes, so I barely looked around and just concentrated on staring straight ahead at the guide located at that next tree platform, rather than taking in all the beauty of the surrounding Redwood forest and valley below. As we progressed through the course, however, we all started to feel more confident, and laid back more into the harness as we zipped down the next line. I even felt confident at times to look around a little and enjoy the view. I was sweating the whole time, however, and breathed a little sigh of relief when we came to our last zip line platform. At the end, we climbed up some spiral stairs spiked into a Redwood tree, crossed a couple of long and fun rope bridges. We made our final zip across to the last platform where we all gathered for the last time to repel down 80 feet to the ground. After the guide gets you all hooked up, the scariest part of the process is when he/she basically says swing one foot over the other and sit back into mid-air! You control your decent down; you can go as fast or as slow as you want. Once you get over that “Oh my God I’m hanging off a platform in mid-air” feeling, it was actually very easy and fun to “elevator” down the rope.

The equipment makes it all so easy and very safe the whole time. You really have to trust the guides to get you all geared up and hooked in correctly. Throughout the run, we took pictures of the event (platform shots only, nothing as we actually zipped). Overall, at first it was very scary and intimidating, but at the end, it was exhilarating and thrilling. Maybe we were mostly grateful it was finally over, but very happy that we did it. It truly is a wonderful experience, and we recommend it to everyone. Our next zip will be on the Oasis of the Seas cruise ship in the Caribbean. We may also try some other zip adventures at one (or two) of our ports of call. I also just found some zip kits online, so maybe that will be another project for us at Austin Creek. J.

Happy Zipping!

Mike and Thom

Hudson searches for new scents, and I get to check on the latest berry crop.
The real human fringe benefit of dog-walking is berry collecting. This time of year it doesnt matter which way or where you walk, there are always berries! The real art is taking daily dog walks. Hudson thinks those walks are all for him, but secretly I am always checking out the latest “harvest”.
Vacation rental guests are always remarking about how they found berries, exactly where I suggested. I owe it all to those hard charging walks with Hudson.

Thom and I hit the River at Guerneville. We walked by Kings in Guerneville and arranged to meet our kayaks at Johnsons Beach and then grabbed breakfast. They met us with our kayaks at Johnsons beach right below the swimming dam, with everything we needed (nothing). Although your mind likes to play with the idea of rapids, or the dreaded wrong turn (think dueling banjos); there is nothing too exciting. Embarassing incidents really were never the “river’s” fault, we both managed to dragged bottom on a few sandbars. I think that is called too much weight in the boat.

The most challenging part of our cruise, was the haul out at the Summer Dam. The summer dam goes up to control the water flow, and it eliminates the thrilling “ripples” (itty bitty rapids). But it does mean exiting a kayak gracefully, and carrying them a short distance. We were both one for two. Neither of us exited gracefully, but we sure laughed as we carried our boats to the other side.

The end was as good as the beginning. Monte Rio wasnt far beyond, and the pick up point was just beyond the Monte Rio bridge. The fun part was pulling out early, and running up to Fern’s Grocery. Kings has an arrangement, and Fern calls them so that your ride arrives just about the time you do. Since I often stopped by, I picked up a lot of catcalls about my lifejacket, which seemed like my second skin. The great hotel of monte, the Highland Dell sits gracefully on the left bank, and probably should have been our destination for dinner and drinks. But instead, we headed home, to rescue the dog, and laugh about our day on the river. I teased Thom, that he had truly become a “river rat”.

Hudson loves Austin Creek this time of year. Its better than the dog park, the groomer or just about anything else. As the water levels have dropped in the summer he has discovered the joys of wading. Its become his Disneyland, as he has discovered an unlimited supply of sticks, and the simple joy of watching a ball bounce in the water. Last week he saw a fish for the first time. And after falling over backwards into the water; proceeded to chase it upstream like a rabit.

My vacation this year has been to join Hudson, and to wade along with him in Austin Creek. Its a pretty simple thing to take along a tennis ball, but the results have been amazing. My dog is teaching me to watch him play ball and chase fish. He has given me the time off to go wading like when I was a kid. And I take relish in what is a true simple pleasure.

My advice on a Russian River vacation is to bring the along the dog. He deserves the treat, and you get so much in return.