Abalone and Missing Teeth

We cut over to the coast and cruised Hwy 1 down towards Mendocino. Camping on the coast is tough this time of year – for the past few nights we’ve been one of the last campers admitted. We stopped at Russian Gulch and the ranger told us they were full, but Van Damme had spaces. Twenty minutes later we showed up at Van Damme and the ‘campground full’ sign was already out.

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We pulled in and asked a couple of park rangers in the friendliest tone as possible. They looked at each other and nodded and then told us to go look at #12. It had a ‘reserved’ sign with someone’s name already on it, but I guess they knew something we didn’t. We came back around and told them it would be fine, but was already assigned. No problem – it’s available for you.

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We were only a few steps from the beach, so we went to check out the action. Abalone divers and spelunking sea kayakers were the action. A nice family gave us tutorial on abalone diving along with an exhaustive list of regulations.  I don’t see any of us braving the chilly waters to catch a giant snail in the near future. Pretty neat, but I think I would want to do a taste test first. She said she slices and fries them. I bet it tastes like chicken.

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Instead of cold water, we braved a giant sticker patch to get some fresh blackberries. I now know firsthand what a stinging nettle is and just how bad it hurts.

Bode had his own little battle with a loose tooth and a geriatric dog. Apparently, he was bitten by a neighboring camper’s dog, but didn’t tell anyone until later. He knew it was a good dog and it didn’t really mean harm – he didn’t want it to get in trouble.

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My tongue likes the new hole. It has a mind of it’s own

-Bode

4 thoughts on “Abalone and Missing Teeth

  • August 11, 2014 at 2:49 PM
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    Been there done that is all I can say
    Van Damme ~ Check 2nd to last in
    Abalone ~Check Camper next door let me try some
    stinging nettle ~ check hurts like hell

  • August 12, 2014 at 1:12 AM
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    You cant camp in the wild there ? Or not in the mood for it? Just curious cos yeah full campings are not fun 😛

  • August 13, 2014 at 9:48 AM
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    Boondocking on the California coast is a little tricky. You would have better luck inland. I don’t mind supporting the state park system – and they have hot showers 😉

  • August 20, 2014 at 12:55 PM
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    abalone does not taste like chicken. it tastes like abalone and is the best stuff ever – seared with salt and lemon. so good!

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