North Coast Winds by Robin Joy Wellman - October 2017

The ‘first rain’ after the long dry summer is always a welcome sound. I was lying in bed listening to the unfamiliar sound on the roof and deck and wondered if this is for real. Is it just the fog once again dripping from the trees or could it be! A glance out the window brings a huge smile to see that we actually have blessed rain, a rain where the ground is truly wet and rejoicing. The redwood smell is heightened, the birds sound happier, and the plants are clapping for once again they are clean. The ‘first rain’ brings back many memories with the boys jumping out of bed and running outside dancing, with the horses running along the fence to join in the dance, and well, the joy that I didn’t have to water the garden that day. Thank you rain!

I want to offer a shout out to Trinks Cafe in Gualala. I really enjoy my mornings with the standard breakfast and a fresh cup of amazing coffee. What I love is seeing everyone. It is hard to sit down to a table without good friends joining in or stopping at the table to say hello and sharing hugs. It is a sure way to catch up with folks I haven’t seen in a few weeks and catch up on news from the town. Trinks started in 2003 by Kathy (also known to family and friends asTrink) serving good coffee and her famous desserts and pastries. Now the restaurant has expanded with the expertise of her son Ross and wife Dionely (both graduates from the California Culinary Academy) to serving lunch daily and dinners three nights a week with most of the ingredients being locally sourced and many of the ingredients being organic. I love that. Suzanne runs the front of the house. They have a super friendly staff with a welcoming feel. Personally I feel connected to them having known Ross and Suzanne and many of the staff members since they were young in school and sports. This is a real home town place. For more information, to make dinner reservations, and to inquire about catering check their website at http://trinkscafe.com/. You won’t be disappointed.

Fall is a beautiful time to visit the coast. No wind (usually) and no fog (most of the time). Glorious views and settings for family time, get away’s for couples, and a sporting drive. Gualala Arts has plenty to offer with several art openings, a swing dance class, good music offerings, karaoke nights, and more. The annual Gualala River Run is October 7 which starts and end at GAC sponsored by Action Network. This is a 5K and 10K event that is entirely made of fun supporting programs for the entire community. Later in the evening the band Zydeco Flames with concert and dinner. At the end of October is the Native American Art Expo. For this event and the many others please visit the web at gualalaarts.org/category/events/. Fort Ross State Park has their annual Harvest Festival with a bit of history and a bit of more modern times to share. Visit their web at fortross.com for more info.

A second shout out is to Eric Wilder. He will be offering a lecture Sunday October 15 at 4 PM with the Point Arena Lighthouse Lecture series. From the Point Arena Lighthouse web “Eric is a member of the Kashia Band of Pomo Indians and grew up on the Kashia Reservation. He has come full circle both as a leader of his Tribe and professionally as an artist. He was elected to the Kashia Tribal Council for two terms as the Tribal Secretary and then two terms as the Tribal Chairman. Today he makes a career as an artist and expanding his graphic design company, Eric Wilder Graphics.” I have known Eric for over 35 years and have great respect for him, his sharing of his culture, and his amazing art. If you have never heard Eric speak now is your chance. Visit the web pointarenalighthouse.com/ for more info and to make reservations. Other events at the Lighthouse include Full moon tours, hikes with BLM Explorers, and more.

I wish you all a wonderful and colorful fall. I wish you many days to enjoy the outside, take a walk, pick some huckleberries, enjoy the last of the creek swims, and take in our local fall colors. And most of all enjoy our refreshing October rains. Many blessings.