NORTH COAST STATE PARKS

A Great Getaway “Surely there is something in the unruffled calm of nature that overawes our little anxieties and doubts: the site of the deep blue sky, and clustering stars above, seem to impart a quiet to the mind.” This quote by Jonathan Edwards was the motivating factor in my decision to “get away from it all”, and back in touch with the natural world. Too many college exams and noisy nights on campus provided the impetus to seek solace off-campus along California’s north coast. A thick blanket of fog hovered over the still surface of Stone Lagoon. MY first overnight canoe trip began with a splash on the shoreline of the 521-acre estuary. Ranger Brain Cahill helped me clamber into the vessel and repeated his directions on how to reach the environmental campsites. The rich aroma of mud steamed from the bottom of my shoes. With paddle in hand, I glided across the west side of the lagoon. I lunched on a huge fallen snag that jutted out into the lagoon. Piles of animal scat reminded me that this was someone else’s favorite spot. Shorebirds of all sorts and sizes were visible from this position. A California Brown Pelican dove for his mid-afternoon meal. Cinnamon Teals swam on the surface, diving every now and then for a morsel. The rest of the afternoon I spent drifting in the canoe in the cove of the landing area. An inquisitive river otter kept an eye on me. A disinterested Great Blue Heron stood as still as the floating log he was standing on. Choosing a campsite was a fun endeavor. There are six to choose from: Ryan’s Cover, Lagoon View, Giant Sitka, Sunny Site, Hideaway, and Top Notch. Each site accommodates up to eight people and has a picnic table, a fire-ring, food locker, and a space for a tent. I “tested” each one and finally settled in at the bole of the “Big Sitka”. As dusk was approaching I set off on another short canoe trip out to the barrier beach that separates the lagoon from the ocean. Along the beach, I collected a few handfuls of driftwood while soaking up the euphonious roar of the undulating, pounding Pacific. On my way back to landing area, I was startled by an amazing phenomenon. In the dark water around my boat, I noticed the blue-green light that streaked from my paddle and from unseen fish swimming away in fright…both left swirls of tiny individual lights. The light was created by microscopic bioluminescent organisms. I slept like a baby that night and awoke to the sound of a dozen bird songs. After breakfast, I paddled back to the boat launching area, arriving fresh with a feeling of appreciation for the abundance of life. By Greg McCormack Greg is a Humbolt State University student who is completing a State Park internship.Spread the Adventure!