Camping Adventures - Northern California Coast

We recently returned from our annual camping adventure with the Moxley clan. This year we chose to go to the Northern California coast and camp at great little state park called Russian Gulch SP. This was our third year camping with the Moxley's and we now have it down to a science. The kids know the routine, we have all the gear organized, and we have good estimates as to how much chocolate/wine is needed, etc.

When we arrived at the coast near Mendicino it was literally breath taking. If I had a dime for every time Melissa said "Oh my God! It is so beautiful" -- I would be rich, well not rich but if you added a dime for every time she said "John, I want to retire here." then maybe I would!

We arrived in the afternoon on a Sunday and quickly set up camp. This gave us enough time to explore the local beach and for the kids to get soaked in the cold water lagoon. We had a delicious dinner and then roasted marshmellows and made s'mores (a nightly ritual).

Melissa has posted her pictures on smugmug and Richard has posted a large number of additional photos here. Check out the photos he did in natural light around the campfire. They are most interesting.

On the second day we went to Glass Beach - which is effectively an old city dump.

Now that doesn't sound very glamorous (and it's not) but there is a small cool factor in that there are tons of wave smoothed glass beads for the kids to collect.


The next day we went on a very pretty 4.6 mile hike with the kids to a waterfall at the top of the park. We made it through to the end with frequent stops for snacks and looks into old Redwood trees. The downside was that Nicolas was unable to make it the whole way back so I carried him on my shoulders for 2 miles which at 30-35 lbs is a healthy workout.

On the final day we went to Jug Handle State Reserve to a beautiful beach with a meandering stream flowing down to the beach. The kids had a great time. We could peer through the opening in the cliffs to the crashing waves just outside. This way they could see and hear powerful surf -- from a safe distance.

There were so many other places along the Mendino Coast that we were not able to get to see. We will certainly have to go back some day. All in all it was an excellent trip and we look forward to next year and keeping up the Moxley-Kreisa camping tradition.