A camping here we go...

We went camping to Gualala (wa-LA-la as prounced by the native Indians). This was a lot different from our usual trips since we went with another 7 families (!), none of whom had camped by themselves prior to this.

Aiy yiy yo !!
Are we asking for trouble? Now, wait a minute, how did we get manage to get in like this?
Camping by ourselves is one thing, camping along with other campers is another, but to 'lead a
bunch of our own people to camp' , boy ! That’s asking for trouble.

Not that we have any issue with any folks, we dearly love them - just but the idea by itself overwhelmed and scared us. We arent good organising large groups, and
Most of the families have lived long enough in the US, to know how to enjoy themselves. Problem was at least that’s how we perceived them - are not outdoor types, and cannot live without the comfort and convience of homes and hotels. the idea of Camping was what others did, not them.
But then when you show a bit of inclination, maybe they could discover the simple pleasures too.

Oh, come on, we need to be better sports helping interested freinds with their first camping experience.
That should be fun.

We had our doubts.

EEw ! Can we escape this? Maybe work out a convincing excuse.
How about if we give detailed instructions to all, lists of things to take along, precautions etc,.and sure they can go by themselves. Cant them?

Nah! Gualala is in an incredibly almost unexploited part of CA1, along the Pacific, and it was too tempting to let go.

So, we let our concerns fly, and this was going to be our freinds trip not ours,
So we will go by their pace and their flow, and decided to pitch in. Turned out, that was a great decision indeed. Iam glad we did this.


Dharma was unanimously elected as the 'camping expert' eh huh.
By default I tagged along in the ‘Dharma and Mary are experts; you can ask them '...

He hee - did good to flatter us, and we had our our own laughs at the presumed titles.

Understandably it was a great excitement to all, specially the kids.

Yippee! We are going to live in tents.

There were worried moms ,and tons of questions - Will I be able to sleep? Are the restrooms clean?? Is it safe? Do psychotic killers roam the campsites killing people in their tents randomly? , and so on apart from what should I bring along? What's the weather like?

Come and find out yourself. I was excited myself. Camping is always fun espacillay if you go to a good place like this, and its always ncie to spend time with friends.

We travel in style when in groups with our pots and pans, cooking rice and microwaving stuff for meals. everyone takes turns to help out with the food and final cleaning. Everyone loves the fresh food, but invariably someone is tied up. We wanted everyone to experience the difference, and suggested minimum cooking. Of course, campfires, BBQ and smores are necessities. So, Mary aunty divided the
food stuff among the families and Dharma and David annan provided a detailed list of things to bring etc. beg, borrow or no Don’t steal, buy the tent .

So, we were well prepared.

Mary Aunty and a few others went on Thursday, seemed the site was off-limits to mobile coverage. Others started earlier by afternoon on Friday to drive the 3 hrs and reach before dark. We had no such concern, We started after work on Friday evening, loaded the car with our stuff (had packed the previous day ), bought ice for the ice-box, and then headed to REI by 6pm I think to pick a tent for a friend. Then, we started on 160 to downtown, to reach I80.



The sun was setting, and I was hoping to hit CA1 before it got dark, fat chance!, took comfort that we'll drive back by day. The surprise was in 116, Sebastopol off Bodega bay- most scenic drives are by beautiful forests, rolling hills, rivers are the like , generally not thought historic towns. This in Sonoma county is a historic resort and logging area along the Russian River. A delightful little town, we stopped for gas and food. It was cold, had burgers in a tiny
shop, excellent taste.
Made notes - to visit Armstrong Redwoods State Park on the way back. It was almost 8:30, and getting dark.

We reached Gualala by 11, and Dharma asked directions somewhere near the campgrounds at a bar - it was amusing to watch the group of people were jolly drunk, and still quite confidently gave some vague directions. So, we turned, and stopped by a patrol vehicle, the officer cautiously turned up his lights, as Dharma approached him, and confirmed the way.

This a private family oriented campground, in a Redwood grove, was still lively and active as we entered. It was full of abalone divers and Rvs.

We drove past to our registered sites, Rebecca was asleep, and ours was a little way from the rest.
We reached out stop, and Dharma asked me to set the tent, while he helped Santhosh. I started with it, and then eww, I had few campers around, but didn’t feel comfortable to set it all by myself.so, I picked Rebz and walked over to watch the rest. The REI tent was a bit tricky, eventually we set ours and watched the stars in our tent, and slept off by 11:40.

It was colder , and great to watch the redwood tree tops and a few stars.

Good start.