In reverse of the cliche, I brought my students a peck of our own freshly picked apples and pears today, fuel for the challenging work at hand as they begin to construct their boats at full scale. It’s been a bad year for apples along the Sonoma Coast, after an unusually cold and damp spring […]
Tag Archives: sonoma coast
October Swell
the SW swell has arrived earlier than usual at Doran, bringing steady chest high waves I’ve tried to spend a little time each day shaping my 10-6, solid wood longboard, and it’s finally beginning to look ride-able. With the early arrival of the southwest swell at Doran Beach, I’m encouraged to speed things up, fair […]
House of Tree
My client will soon plant a hedge of bay laurel to camouflage the front of the tower Though not technically a ‘tree house’ because it makes no connection to any tree, the elevated cabin I designed for a local client has all of the hallmarks of one: 360 degree views through the trees, rustic accommodations, […]
Scouting Doran
the southern stretch of Doran Beach, looking southeast towards Tomales Bluff Whenever I go to the beach, at least a few times a week, I habitually count the number of birds flying in formation, usually pelicans, who often fly in sets of 9 through 15. I’m not sure what I’m looking for, but am always […]
Fairy Godmother of Surf
Donald Fortescue is my Fairy Godmother of Surf Over Labor Day weekend our good pals Sandra Kelch and Donald Fortescue stayed at our new wowhaus retreat. Sandra has been working over the summer with Ene and our friend Kathleen Monroe on renovating the interior, and it’s been fun to share the compound with friends and […]
Chopping Wood
I need to cut and chop at least two cords of firewood a year for our primary heat. As part of my commitment to A Year in Surf, I’ve been doing something everyday to prepare myself mentally and physically. Last night after a day driving to and from a marathon of faculty meetings at CCA‘s […]
Shaping the Olo
I use all of may favorite hand tools to shape my first surfboard. These late summer evenings I’ve been enjoying dropping into a state of loose focus as I shape my first surfboard from a slab of air-dried cottonwood. An aroma reminiscent of farm animals wafts up as my plane curls ribbons of excelsior. I […]