Thanks to everyone who attended and made this a spectacular weekend.  Besides myself, there was Yujie, Jim, Ruth, Dah Nguyen (sp?), Karen and Merry.  Music was supplied by Kate Wallace, Doug Clegg, Caren Armstrong, Peter Gallway, Annie Gallup, Michael Camp, Tom Payne (sp?), Jim Sheridan (sp?), Richard, Caroline and many others.  Kate relayed her gratitude to everyone for their attendance this year and her hope to see you all again next year.

The weather was outstanding, with blue skies aplenty and the feast on Saturday night was the best we've ever had.  Carne Asada tacos, chicken fajita tacos, salad, fruit, dessert, and Dorado to dance for!

We had the hike to the beach, the lunch and non-international incident at the chapeau shoppe in Carmel-by-the-Sea and the side trip to Pt. Lobos State Reserve on the way back to Big Sur.  Everything combined to make this trip one of the most memorable.

My sincere thanks to everyone!

Skip Donnelly

Big Sur, hiking, hot tubbing and folk music lovers,

If the event appears full, please sign up anyway!  I'll manage the signup by hand up until May 1st.

I have booked two (2) campsites at the Fernwood Resort in Big Sur. The campground is private and they have a restaurant, small store, and usually live music on the weekends. It is a good time. Of course this is Big Sur, so there are plenty of other things to do as well.  Last year we again had the good fortune to run into a group of professional musicians who congregate here every year right before the Kerrville Folk Festival in Texas to sit around the campfire and jam.  I talked with Kate Wallace and Doug Clegg and am timing this trip to coincide with their 2011 appearance at Fernwood.  Kate and Doug have again graciously invited us to join them near the campfire this year.  We'll also do the Saturday night potluck again, which will be coordinated after all have signed up.  We had some delicious food last year!

Each site has been reserved for 4 campers and 2 cars.  Each additional car beyond that is an additional $5/night.  See the website for more (some) details:

http://www.fernwoodbigsur.com/ 

I will make sure that all 8 spaces are filled with campers who are serious about attending by contacting active list members in April to confirm their status. Please feel free to sign up for the waiting list.

This year, to keep it simple, I will again ask for the money to be mailed to me up front.  It will be $30 total per person (more if you want Esalen reservations – see below).  I got two campsites next to each other on the other side of the volleyball court near the hillside amongst the trees. 

I will also be making reservations for myself at Esalen Institute (roughly 12 miles south of Fernwood) for Friday and Saturday nights.  “Our hot springs are open to the public for late night bathing from 1am to 3am. The cost is $20 per night, payable by credit card only. The number to phone for a reservation is 831-667-3047. Reservations must be made before arriving (as in ASAP). The reservation line is open between 8am and 7:45pm daily.”  They are cleaned daily and overlook the Pacific Ocean.  If you wish me to make a reservation for you at Esalen, I’ll ask for an additional $20 per person per night (credit card reservation in advance).  I will have my van for one more year, capable of carrying up to 6 passengers.  Note: these springs are “clothing optional”!!!  For those of you that did it last year; hopefully this year will be clear, as there is no moon that weekend.  This should provide us with some beautiful stargazing.

I’ll post the address to send money in the ‘private’ section, which you will be able to see once you are signed up.  In the meantime, please sign up on the waiting list.

http://www.esalen.org/place/hot_springs.html

http://www.mapquest.com/maps?1c=Big+Sur&1s=CA&1a=47200+Highway+1&1z=93920&2c=Big+Sur&2s=CA&2a=55000+Highway+1+&2z=93920

The web site for this year’s Kerrville Festival is:

http://www.kerrville-music.com/2011_performers.htm