Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Hello Brothers...



I have something to tell you all.

I'm getting married and I'm not allowed to be friends with you guys anymore.

Ok?

So, this is goodbye. It's been a good run. I'm sure you'll all get along fine without me...

In the mean time,

Please come help me celebrate a last weekend of freedom and friendship, of being an unkempt, hairy, dirty woodsman in the beautiful Northern California coastal forest of Mendocino County. Leave your girlfriends and wives behind and come be a free man on a skateboard in a dirty forest with no concrete anywhere.


Ok, there's a skatepark a short way off. But bring extra food because I have the munchies already.

May 15th- 17th (I'll be up there on the 14th)



-Minton

Here's how to get there















From Los Angeles



From Portland


From Seattle

This is where we goin'













Supply and Demand


Don't get caught in the woods with your pants down. Poison Ivy is a bitch. You definately don't want to wipe with that stuff. This is a pretty thorough list of the supplies necessary to being a successful hobo. Of course, a true crapdog needs only his shred stick, some good skate shoes and a lighter to survive for weeks at a time, but introducing a few extra items will make you a bit more comfortable. A good pair of boots will make your day and a bad pair will ruin it. Always plan on needing more than you actually will. Sharing is cool, but mooches will be tarred and feathered. Of course, if you plan on chilling at camp, you don't need much. Here's a mega list of lots of unnecessary sounding things that have come in handy for me at one time or another. Did I ever tell you about the time we got rescued by hellicopter...?

Poncho
Waterproof tent
Tent stakes
Tarps (2)
Rope
Sleeping bag (2)
Pillows
Padding
Inflatable mattress
Pump
Inflatable pillow
Socks (wool)
Socks (regular)
Underwear
Waterproof hiking boots
T-shirts with heavy metal insignias
Flannel shirts
Fleece
Jacket (lined)
Jacket (unlined)
Baseball Hat
Knit hat
Gloves
Blankets (3)
Brass knuckles
Camp chair
Camp stove
Cooking & eating utensils
Plastic cups
Canteen
Soap
Bucket or pan
Rags
Day pack (for 2-4 hour hikes or outings).
Bags for trash
Knives
Soap
Shampoo
Toothpaste
Towels
First aid kit
Snakebite kit
Poison oak/poison ivy soaps
Poison oak/poison ivy ointments
Sun screen
Bug spray
Two Way Radios (2)
Digital Camera
35 Mil Camera
Long Lens
35 Mil film
Spare batteries AA
Spare batteries C
Spare batteries D
Flashlights
Headlamp
Red Tail Light tape
Walking Stick
Compass
Topographical maps of target area
Waterproof gaiters
Field or flagging tape
Water, spoon, and bowl for mixing casting material
Plastic gloves (for handling evidence)
Tweezers
Sterile small glass jar or vial
Plastic bags – large, gallon size (freezer Ziploc type) and small, sandwich size
Sterile gauze and swabs
Ruler (small)
fabric measuring tape
Sterile saline solution (normally used for contact lenses)
Notebook
Pencils
Sharpie markers
Binoculars
GPS unit
Anti-bear / pepper spray
Survival kits or gear

Food:
Tip Repackage as much as possible -use heavy-weight freezer bags or plastic containers to maximize space efficiency and to keep things dry.

Sandwich-type items
Instant food
Instant drinks
Ramen noodles
Trail mix
Nuts
Protein bars
Jerky
Canned foods

Water:
Bottles or hydration pouches for backpack
Bottled water for camp (1 gallon per person/per day)
Beer (lots)
Whiskey
Cigs
Weed
Pills

"If you wanna hang around here you hang around with Daggers!"


Ok.

So... there's a skatepark nearby, and since there are quite a few rip-riders coming on the trip, I fully expect us to barge in there and tear it a new asshole. Judging by the photos I've seen and a video Dave sent me, it doesn't seem to be too terrible. It's in the middle of la la land so even if it was a bad as El Dorado, it would still be fun. From all the non-skaters, I expect a full-blown/ heckling/ BBQ manning snack team, keeping beers cold and handling the local cougar population (Dan...? Paul...? Time to man-up.) It mentioned pads being required but I am requiring you to not wear them. Skate and die!



Stoner Skatepark Review (by some dude named Rodzilla):

"How wonderful the mountain air is! Especially in this area of the world because the fresh mountain air is mixed with the smell of pot cause everyone and there dog smokes weed in Willits. And you know what that's cool as fuck because it helps to be stoned when you skate this park because it will help you forget about the stuff they did wrong. Don't get me wrong, this place is fun as shit, especially since you get to skate with the Ukiah legend himself Justin Capri, but they did fuck up on the "u run". That could have been one of the sickest runs in any skate park but for some reason the builder decided to make a stupid hip in the middle of one part an it's just too small in a couple other spots. Other than that though if your in the area and you like to skate and bake this spot is worth it. Shaka bra!"

Stoner Directions:
To get to the Willits Skatepark from Hwy 101 Take the East Commercial Street Exit and go East. Follow about a mile up the road and the Skate Park will be on the left hand side.

Monday, April 27, 2009

Bigfoot Encounters in the Mendocino area


The area we will be visiting actually has a very rich history of Bigfoot sightings. Generaly speaking, there are more encounters in areas further up the coast and into the Northwest mountain ranges, but Mendocino county has it's fair share. I've linked up to a few of the more interesting reports in the public database. Note that one of these reports was submitted by a cop. As far as I know, he probably wasn't high at the time.

http://www.bfro.net/GDB/show_report.asp?id=24146

http://www.bfro.net/GDB/show_report.asp?id=15782

http://www.bfro.net/GDB/show_report.asp?id=2201

http://www.bfro.net/GDB/show_report.asp?id=25260

http://www.bfro.net/GDB/show_report.asp?id=9648

Be prepared for possible Sasquatch interaction! If you see one, be sure to take a blurry photo for Minton's wedding present.