Ride along for huge Saturday in Mendo: Heavy metal, wildflowers, Fresnel lens and Navarro by the Sea are just some of the fun
The lineup for fun on the Mendocino Coast this weekend might be the most diverse and interesting of the year, even without one of the big festivals.
The trip is designed to go from Fort Bragg to Navarro and back.
Put on your thinking cap and history spectacles and get ready to ride both ways in a Time Machine as these events aren’t just fun parties like Sunday’s annual heavy metal concert at the Caspar community center Brutalpalooza-7. Rock out from 3 till midnight on Sunday, or until you go deaf, whichever comes first.
Let’s take a weekend tour of all the best stuff, but don’t miss what is far better than any of this. The wildflowers are incredible this year if you slow down and look at the wildlife, from the tidepools to the National Geographic levl Goat Rock on the Mendocino Headlands and take it all in you will get priceless viewing and clean fresh air, all for free. The photos all depict the natural wonders here. We have a favorite osprey nest that just hatched we will stop and see. George and Gracie just hatched a brood!
But the man made adventures are pretty amazing too.
For early risers, breakfast with the American Legion at Veterans Hall in Fort Bragg, starting at 8 a.m
Next, get some fishing in (probably skip the breakfast if going out on the ocean). Here comes the fishermen! It’s the first day of a 2-day recreational salmon season. Is the first time salmon fishing has been allowed in two years.
Navarro By the Sea day returns Saturday, with music, food and tours
The fishing starts at 4:48 am, on Saturday and ends on Sunday one hour after sunset. Catch a Party boat like The Seahawk from All Aboard Adventures. There are 3 other larger party boats and some smaller six-pack ones. My advice is to skip dreaming about salmon and go for the plentiful rockfish off our coast, like the blues and blacks, which look just like smallmouth bass and taste much better, or the delicious ling cod with its green flesh or the chili pepper rockfish. The party boats will generally forget the salmon and go for rockfish after everybody strikes out for an hour or two. The tides are almost non existent, that is the difference between high and low is insignificant this weekend, good for fishing, not so much for tidepooling. The low tide is Saturday at 2:43 pm, but its not very far out at 2.3 feet.
If the high seas isn’t your thing but you want to step through a Time Machine to a time when the ocean will be our economic center in ways far beyond fishing, the Noyo Center for Marine Science will offer an open house starting at 11 a.m.
Here is what will be happening.
•Presentation of initial results for the sea level rise vulnerability study
•Interactive maps & displays about future flood scenarios
•Survey and feedback opportunities to help shape the future.
•A scavenger hunt and hands-on activities for all ages
•Win prizes and have fun with a photo station
•Chat with project staff
That’s also when Indivisible Mendocino starts their weekly protest of the current administration., That’s downtown outside the Cookie Company and Guest House.
In Fort Bragg you can also call and schedule a fun and freaky Indiana Jones like experience, the
escape room at Lions Hall Next weekend the adventure will be going big time.
After going forward in time to a sustainable and delicious ocean economy view of the blue economy . It’s time to go back to the age of Exploration and see a working remnant of one of its great innovations
Saturday is one of the 3 times every year you can climb up to the top of the Point Carrillo Lighthouse and eyeball one of the most innovative glass balls of the two previous centuries, an operating Fresnel lens tour. The Fresnel lens saved many a ship with its unique way to send bright lights that warned. Its a bit of walk, so this isnt for those who can’t leg i a half mile downhill then all upill on the way back.
In Mendocino be sure to stop at goat rock and see the birds. Very fun also are the historic distrcit tours by the Kelley House. The Mendocino Art Center has Saltwater a cool solo exhibit of Mendo Coast ocean paintings that ends Sunday
Next, do NOT miss Navarro-by-the-Sea day
The original town of Navarro, which was abandoned long ago and the current town of Navarro, located about 16 miles up highway 128 on the Navarro River, took the name. The Captain Fletcher Inn, a classic roadhouse of old, has been renovated and there will be music, food and fun from 12-5. About 100 yards west in the unmatched and incredible Navarro Beach.
On your way back, there is a special event at Mendocino High School
Celebrate the creative talents and hands-on learning of Mendocino High School students at the 7th Annual Career Technical Education Spring Showcase, happening Saturday, June 7th from 2 to 8:30 PM at Mendocino High School. Explore student work and live demonstrations from the Culinary, Woodshop, Art, Horticulture, Electronics, and Media programs.
Next going back north, you could catch two great musical events. Caspar Beach Campground will offer the coast’s homegrown king of rock and roll, Steven Bates oin an afternoon event. Check out who is coming up too at their Summer Concert Series.
David Hayes, one of the luminaries from the glory days of rock and roll who came to Mendocino to play bass, play music and do good will perform at the Headlands /Coffee House in a benefit for Art Explorers. You can meet the disabled artists and buy their art at this benefit event.
