Hello All,
Hope you all are looking forward to going on the trip this weekend as much as your organizers (Tom, Sara, Janet, Derek)! Here are a few quick notes about the trip that we hope you'll find useful:
1) Our official meetup spot is in the southeast corner of the parking lot of the Rohnert Park Costco at 8:45 a.m. on Friday. Feel free to group up on the way with others from your area. If you are coming from San Jose/Santa Clara and want to group up we are leaving 6am from 300 Manzanita Avenue, Santa Clara (off of 280/Saratoga). Here's a satellite view courtesy of Tom:
2) Your "leaders" are pretty chill, and also pretty slow on the interstates (like 60mph), so after we get a count of vehicles at the start feel free to go on ahead after letting us know where you'll wait for us. If you get to "camp" first, feel free to stake out the most primo campsites for the group ( e.g. I think people really liked the "Redwoods" campsite at Usal, but that might be taken). Also, feel free to stop along the way and catch back up - if you get lost or need any help and can't raise us on 146.460 MHz please try my cell - 408-480-9583. I'll have Starlink on (ID RiehlWorld, PW RiehlFamily) and will be able to receive your call as long as we can "see" the northern sky. Here's a quick shot of the Redwoods site:
3) Early word on Usal Road is that it is fairly passable to just before the beach, but that the "puddles" at the edge are deeper than they've ever been, so use caution if going out (we'll camp this side of them as several of our vehicles have limited fording depth). No word on Klamath, but be prepared for higher than usual water or changes in the bank forcing us to alter our campsite plans. Here's our site as of October:
4) We'll likely have fires both nights, as temps will get down into the 40's at night and there is a chance of showers on Sunday morning. Please bring wood or buy along the way.
5) Have a look at the map. Lots of optional side trips are available, especially on Sunday for those able to spend the time.
6) Please let us know of any special needs or celebrations you'd like us to note and we'll do our best to accommodate.
7) Don't be shy about questions/concerns - this is an easy trip and may be the first for several or the first this season :-)
Cheers,
Derek
