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		<title>Matsutake or not-so-take</title>
		<link>http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/matsutake-or-not-so-take/969/</link>
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		<pubDate>Sun, 25 Oct 2009 04:11:02 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Cyclo-monger</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Adventures]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Leonard Lake]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Matsutake]]></category>
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		<description><![CDATA[What's in a name? If you're a mycologist, then quite a lot, if you're a mushroom picker, what matters is the smell (among other things). Find out all about hunting and cooking the delicious and elusive California Matsutake here.]]></description>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: xx-large;">Mmmmmm&#8230;&#8230;&#8230;..Matsutake!!!!</span></strong></p>
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<p><div class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 275px"><a title="More on Wikipedia" rel="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matsutake" href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f5/Matsutake.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="border: 2px solid black; margin: 3px;" title="Matsutake Mushrooms" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f5/Matsutake.jpg/800px-Matsutake.jpg" alt="File:Matsutake.jpg" width="265" height="201" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Tricholoma Matsutake or Japanese Pine Mushroom</p></div></td>
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<p><div class="wp-caption alignright" style="width: 260px"><a title="Read more at MusgoomExpert.com" rel="http://www.mushroomexpert.com/" href="http://www.mushroomexpert.com/images/smith/smith_tricholoma_magnivelare_01.jpg"><img style="border: 0pt none; margin: 3px;" src="http://www.mushroomexpert.com/images/smith/smith_tricholoma_magnivelare_01_thumb.jpg" border="0" alt="Tricholoma magnivelare" width="250" height="206" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">California &quot;Matsutake&quot;; Tricholoma magnivelare ...or not?</p></div></td>
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<td style="text-align: left;" colspan="2"><span style="font-size: medium;">The picture at left shows a typical sample of the &#8220;true &#8221; <em><strong>Tricholoma Matsutake</strong></em> as distinct from our local pacific northwest variety, referred to below as <strong><em>Tricholoma magnivelare</em></strong> even though the western &#8220;Matsutake&#8221; have been shown through genetic studies to be a distinct population and so are misnamed as either <em><strong>Matsutake</strong></em> or <em><strong>Magnivelare</strong></em>. Visually, as opposed to the &#8220;true&#8221; strain native to Asia, North Africa, Europe and northeastern North America, the pacific northwest variety (shown at right) is initially quite pale versus the  brown of the Asian variety. But, academic debates aside, when it comes to mushroom hunting, its all about field identification, and odor is one of the strongest indicators, specifically a strong, distinctive spicy funk, like Ethiopian food and dirty laundry, its been said. Despite the off-putting description, this is one of the most highly prized mushrooms in Japan and elsewhere, with a culinary stature approaching that of the more familiar European truffle <a title="More about the truffle" href="http://www.clubtread.com/articledetail.aspx?ID=54"><strong>tuber melanosporum</strong></a>, and for much the same reason as musk is the base note of many fine perfumes, the strong</span><span style="font-size: medium;"> distinctive scent, and in this case, flavor blend almost magically with the sharper notes of ginger, onion and miso traditionally used in Japanese preparations, and I can highly recommended it as a superior compliment to wild game.<br />
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<td style="padding: 25px;" colspan="2"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong><em>The American Matsutake: Tricholoma magnivelare</em></strong></span><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;">by <a href="http://www.mushroomexpert.com/contributors.html#kuo">Michael Kuo</a></span></p>
<p><em><span style="font-size: medium;">The American matsutake grows primarily under conifers in northern and montane North America. <strong>When young it is white</strong>, but it soon begins to develop brownish discolorations. It features a prominent <a href="http://www.mushroomexpert.com/glossary.html#partial_veil">partial veil</a> which covers the young gills and later forms a sheathlike covering on the lower stem, with the upper edge flaring outward to form a <a href="http://www.mushroomexpert.com/glossary.html#annulus">ring</a>. The gills are crowded and attached to the stem, sometimes by a notch, but do not run down it. The <a href="http://www.mushroomexpert.com/spore_print.html">spore print</a> is white.</span></em></p>
<p><em><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>The odor of the matsutake is its most distinctive&#8211;and hard to characterize&#8211;feature</strong>. &#8220;Spicy but a little bit foul&#8221; is what comes to my mind, though I like &#8220;a provocative compromise between &#8216;red hots&#8217; and dirty socks&#8221; (Arora, 1986, p. 191). The matsutake taste is as distinctive as the odor: &#8220;an incredible and complex flavor you won&#8217;t ever forget&#8211;even though you won&#8217;t be able to adequately describe it to anyone&#8221; (<a href="http://botit.botany.wisc.edu/toms_fungi/sep2000.html" target="new">Volk, 2000</a>).</span></em></p>
<p><em><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>Description:</strong></span></em></p>
<p><em><span style="font-size: medium;">Ecology: <a href="http://www.mushroomexpert.com/glossary.html#mycorrhizal">Mycorrhizal</a>, primarily with conifers (<a href="http://www.mushroomexpert.com/trees/pinus_banksiana.html">jack pine</a> in northeastern North America; <a href="http://www.mushroomexpert.com/trees/pinus_contorta.html">lodgepole pine</a> in the Rocky Mountains; Pinus teocote and other pines in Mexico&#8217;s high-elevation pine-oak forests; and pines and other conifers Pacific Northwest and California) but also found in <a href="http://www.mushroomexpert.com/trees/lithocarpus_densiflorus.html">tanoak</a> and <a href="http://www.mushroomexpert.com/trees/arbutus_menziesii.html">madrone</a> forests on the West Coast; growing scattered or gregariously; northern and montane North America; summer, fall, and (in warmer climates) winter.</span></em></p>
<p><em><span style="font-size: medium;">Cap: 5-20 cm; convex becoming broadly convex or nearly flat; dry or a little sticky; white at first; soon with brownish discolorations and pressed-down fibers; the margin rolled under when young.</span></em></p>
<p><em><span style="font-size: medium;">Gills: Attached to the stem, sometimes by means of a notch; crowded; white, developing brown or reddish brown stains and spots with age.</span></em></p>
<p><em><span style="font-size: medium;">Stem: 4-15 cm long; up to 5 cm thick; more or less equal, or with a slightly tapered base (but not with a long, rooting base); white above the <a href="http://www.mushroomexpert.com/glossary.html#annulus">ring</a>, colored like the cap below; <a href="http://www.mushroomexpert.com/glossary.html#partial_veil">partial veil</a> white and thick, collapsing to form a sheath around the lower stem and a prominent flaring ring at the top edge of the sheath.</span></em></p>
<p><em><span style="font-size: medium;">Flesh: White; firm; not changing on exposure.</span></em></p>
<p><em><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.mushroomexpert.com/odortaste.html">Odor and Taste</a>: Taste spicy; odor fragrant and distinctive (see comments above).</span></em></p>
<p><em><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.mushroomexpert.com/spore_print.html">Spore Print</a>: White.</span></em></p>
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<p style="text-align: left; position: relative; width: 550px;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">I&#8217;ve collected these in northwest Oregon and the literature indicates the only important difference between here in northwest California and there is in terms of habitat with tanoak and madrone in addition to the conifer zones it is found in further north. We have reliable reports of abundant Matsutake in our mapped sites up at <a title="Read more about beautiful Leonard Lake Reserve" href="../musrooms-and-mountain-bikes/898/">Leonard Lake Reserve</a>, where time will tell the truth of this spot&#8217;s reputation as a plentiful producer. And, technicalities aside Matsutake is considered &#8221; edible and choice&#8221;, music to a mushroom hunters ears. While there are several species that closely resemble it ,specifically&#8221; </span><span style="font-family: Arial,Verdana,Sans Serif;"><a href="http://www.mushroomexpert.com/tricholoma_caligatum.html"><em>Tricholoma caligatum</em></a> (with a browner cap, hardwood habitat, and mild or mealy odor), <a href="http://www.mushroomexpert.com/catathelasma_imperiale.html"><em>Catathelasma imperiale</em></a> (with gills that run down the stem, a double ring, and a tapering stem that roots deeply in the soil), and  <a href="http://www.mushroomexpert.com/russula_brevipes.html"><em>Russula brevipes</em></a> (too many differences to list</span><span style="font-size: large;">) &#8220;none are toxic, and the identifying characteristics are sufficiently unambiguous that a careful picker, with an experienced guide for quality assurance there is virtually no danger of poisoning. Allergic reactions are a different matter, and in some people are made worse by drinking alcohol and eating new species of wild mushrooms. Anyone with food sensitivities needs to be their own best friend when it comes to sampling, or not sampling new foods.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/catalog.htm"><img class="aligncenter" title="Your multi-sport base camp in northern California" src="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/themes/inanis-glass/images/blogicon.png" alt="EEA Logo" width="244" height="49" /><span style="font-size: small;">Book your own California wild mushroom foray</span></a></span></span></p>
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<p>More<span id="more-969"></span></p>
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<td style="border-style: dashed; border-color: #ddd5ce; font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: 500; vertical-align: top; text-align: justify; text-indent: 20px; white-space: normal; display: block;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: large;">With prices as high as $90 per kilo in Japan for imported northwest Matsutake, it is highly sought after by commercial pickers and can go for as much as $25/pound to the brokers, depending on demand. For the mycophage, they are an excellent compliment to the woodsy flavor of the Chanterelles that grow nearby and an their meaty texture and spicy undertones go well with game and a full-bodied red wine. They are wily and shy little devils, often barely poking through the leaf litter, and spotting them is often a matter of pawing through the duff like a caribou pawing through the snow for moss. But a heaping platter of fresh Matsutake buttons sauteed in butter and deglazed with red wine and thyme is a treat well worth the effort.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: large;">On about.com they say</span></span></p>
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<h2>Matsutake Mushrooms; Japanese Autumn Delicacy</h2>
<p id="byline">By <a href="http://japanesefood.about.com/bio/Setsuko-Yoshizuka-6090.htm">Setsuko Yoshizuka</a>, About.com</p>
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<div id="mimg" style="padding-left: 30px;"><q><img class="alignleft" style="margin: 2px;" src="http://z.about.com/d/japanesefood/1/G/z/matsutakemed.jpg" alt="matsutake mushrooms" width="160" height="97" /></q>Matsutake Mushrooms</p>
<p><cite>Photo (c) Setsuko Yoshizuka</cite></div>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Many kinds of edible mushrooms grow in Japan. Matsutake mushrooms are said to be the king of all because of the great aroma and flavor. Matsutake grow in red pine forests in the autumn, and theyare specialautumn delicacy in Japan. Fresh matsutake harvested in Japan are very pricey, so imported matsutake are commonly purchased.</span></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Matsutake mushrooms are cooked in various ways: steamed, grilled, fried, and more. Matsutake in <a href="http://japanesefood.about.com/library/weekly/aa053100a.htm">sukiyaki</a><a href="http://japanesefood.about.com/library/weekly/aa031801a.htm">tempura</a> are very popular. Also, matsutake rice and dobin mushi (steamed in a teapot), and soup are also delicious dishes.</span> and</p>
<p><strong>Matsutake Recipes</strong></p>
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<li><a href="http://japanesefood.about.com/od/rice/r/matsutakegohan.htm">Matsutake Gohan Recipe</a> &#8211; seasoned rice with matsutake mushrooms.</li>
<li><a href="http://japanesefood.about.com/od/mushroom/r/dobinmushi.htm">Matsutake Dobinmushi Recipe</a> &#8211; matsutake mushrooms steamed in a Japanese tea pot</li>
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<h2><a href="http://www.williamrubel.com/mushrooms/matsutake-recipe">Matsutake Recipe</a></h2>
<div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://williamrubel.com/Mushrooms/matsutake.kunming.jpg" alt="" /></div>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">William Rubel<br />
Author and Cook Specializing in Traditional Cooking
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<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This recipe for matsutake soup from the Kunming Hotel, Kunming, China, demonstrates how one can, as a cook, step back and let the mushroom speak for itself. There are mushrooms that need us, the cook, to exert ourselves on their behalf — but many of the greatest mushrooms are best handled the least and this is certainly true of the great pine mushroom (Tricholoma matsuke). In Yunnan the mushroom is called sunron. It combines a rare package of a sweet odor, delicate taste, crisp texture, and beautiful shape. No oil is used in this soup — and it is the opinion of the Kunming Hotel chefs that oil must never be used with matsutake because, in their opinion, oil smothers the pine flavor of the mushroom. Thus, at the heart of this recipe is an approach to the matstuake that says – let the mushroom reveal itself through its own breath. The stock for this soup is lightly salted water in which the mushroom is boiled and at the last minute joined by cilantro.</span></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A related matsutake—Tricholoma magnivelare — grows in North America. Its cap is browner<strong> (NB not true, see Hugh Smith photo above)</strong> than Tricholma matsutake, but it is also a fine mushroom.</span></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ingredients: Water, salt, matsutake mushrooms, thinly sliced, and cilantro, coarsely shopped. For each portion of soup include a moderate handful of mushrooms and a small handful of cilantro.</span></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Instructions Make a stock of lightly salted water by adding a little salt, tasting, adding a little more, tasting until you are pleased with the taste. Then add a little white pepper.</span></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Add thinly sliced matsutake and bring to a rolling boil. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes at a full boil. Add rough chopped cilantro. As soon as the cilantro wilts remove from the heat and serve.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">And finally, an excerpt for <a href="http://www.seattlepi.com/food/194860_mushroom13.html">an excellent article with several recipies</a> in the Seattle PI</span></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Fantastic Forage: Wild matsutake mushrooms</span></strong></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><img src="http://www.seattlepi.com/art2/columnists/chou2.jpg" alt="" hspace="3" width="80" height="80" align="left" />By <a href="mailto:hsiaochingchou@seattlepi.com">HSIAO-CHING CHOU</a><br />
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER FOOD WRITER
</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Wild matsutakes deliver the season of chestnuts and gingko, persimmons and the new rice crop. The pine (matsu) mushroom (take), for the Japanese, inspires excitement for summer&#8217;s wane into fall, and triggers thoughts of savoring its pungent flavor. It is said that one cooks the matsutake until one can eat the aroma.</span></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In that regard, the matsutake resembles the truffle, which lends its perfume to any preparation it encounters. A broth with several slices of a pine mushroom would be served in a lidded bowl or pot, for example, so that the scent of earthy pine with a tinge of cinnamon swirls within the container until it is finally released.</span></p>
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<td colspan="2"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img src="http://www.seattlepi.com/dayart/20041013/180matsutaki_takemi.jpg" border="0" alt="photo" width="114" height="180" /></span></td>
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<td width="45"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.seattlepi.com/photos/photo.asp?PhotoID=52061"><img src="http://www.seattlepi.com/art2/zoom.gif" border="0" alt="Zoom" width="42" height="14" /></a></span></td>
<td align="right"><span style="font-size: medium;">Mike Urban / P-I</span></td>
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<td style="padding-bottom: 7px;" colspan="2"><span style="font-size: medium;">Takemi Sugiyama collects Matsutaki mushrooms in the Cascades.</span></td>
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<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The season for matsutakes in the Northwest has begun and there has been a notable abundance of these mushrooms this year. Local foragers say they have never seen such a profusion, which has caused behavior so rarely exhibited: Hunters, like zucchini growers, are enthusiastically sharing their bounty instead of hoarding it.</span></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">At local farmers markets, professional foragers have stacks of bins brimming with matsutakes, which are selling for about $8 to $14 per pound. Restaurants are featuring the mushroom sauteed, steamed, simmered, batter-fried, grilled. Shiro&#8217;s sushi bar presents matsutakes in chawan mushi (steamed egg custard), dobin mushi (broth), tempura and sushi.</span></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">&#8220;These are real expensive in Japan,&#8221; says owner Shiro Kashiba, with reverence in his voice. &#8220;We&#8217;re real lucky here.&#8221;</span></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Last week, Union restaurant served seared venison medallions with sliced matsutake in red wine with shallots. Oceanaire is shaving matsutakes over salads.</span></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Matsutakes are meaty like porcinis and portobellos. The large ones have steaklike caps and thick stems. The flavor of the bigger ones is intense and can overwhelm preparations, such as stir-fries or soups. So use the mushroom sparingly unless the intensity is pleasing to you.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.seattlepi.com/food/194860_mushroom13.html">read the rest of this article for more info and several recipies</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;">As with most popular wild mushrooms, careful attention to the details of a few field identification characteristics; habitat, shape, color, texture and in this case, most distinctively, odor will guard against <em>nearly</em> all misidentification. The other side of the coin is to be familiar with the local species similar enough in appearance to your target species to be confused with it, be familiar with the local deadly species, in particular, the <a title="There are more than 30 species of Amanita in the Pacific Northwest. Some are not described or known well enough to be included here. Others are listed as a ." href="http://www.svims.ca/council/Amanit.htm">Amanitas</a> (being a principal cause of poisonings locally), know the characteristics to be avoided, and, above all,<span style="font-size: x-large;"><strong> if you&#8217;re not 100% sure of your identification don&#8217;t put it in your basket!</strong></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: large;">Just like pilots, there are old mushroom pickers and bold mushroom pickers, but, there are <strong><em>no</em></strong> old, bold ones. On the other hand, flying, like mushroom picking, cycling, and walking out your front door  all are inherently dangerous. Those who have <em><strong>no</strong></em> tolerance for risk should, and will stay home and eat canned mushrooms, if any. So the question then is not &#8220;Matsutake or not-so-take&#8221;, but &#8220;To Matsutake or Not-to-Take&#8221;.</span><strong><br />
</strong></span></span></li>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/catalog.htm"><img class="aligncenter" title="Your multi-sport base camp in northern California" src="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/themes/inanis-glass/images/blogicon.png" alt="EEA Logo" width="244" height="49" /><span style="font-size: small;">Book your own California wild mushroom foray</span></a></span></span></p>
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<a href="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/reeves_canyon/DSCF1443.JPG" title="Almost there" rel="lightbox[Related images for Matsutake or not-so-take]" ><img title="DSCF1443.JPG" alt="DSCF1443.JPG" src="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/reeves_canyon/thumbs/thumbs_DSCF1443.JPG" /></a>
<a href="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/reeves_canyon/DSCF1453.JPG" title="The new house" rel="lightbox[Related images for Matsutake or not-so-take]" ><img title="DSCF1453.JPG" alt="DSCF1453.JPG" src="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/reeves_canyon/thumbs/thumbs_DSCF1453.JPG" /></a>
<a href="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/reeves_canyon/DSCF1445.JPG" title="Aspiration" rel="lightbox[Related images for Matsutake or not-so-take]" ><img title="DSCF1445.JPG" alt="DSCF1445.JPG" src="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/reeves_canyon/thumbs/thumbs_DSCF1445.JPG" /></a>
<a href="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/reeves_canyon/DSCF1450.JPG" title="Still climbing, 20% grade" rel="lightbox[Related images for Matsutake or not-so-take]" ><img title="DSCF1450.JPG" alt="DSCF1450.JPG" src="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/reeves_canyon/thumbs/thumbs_DSCF1450.JPG" /></a>
<a href="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/reeves_canyon/DSCF1457.JPG" title="Stocked with perch and bass" rel="lightbox[Related images for Matsutake or not-so-take]" ><img title="DSCF1457.JPG" alt="DSCF1457.JPG" src="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/reeves_canyon/thumbs/thumbs_DSCF1457.JPG" /></a>
<a href="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/reeves_canyon/DSCF1465.JPG" title="Looking south and up" rel="lightbox[Related images for Matsutake or not-so-take]" ><img title="DSCF1465.JPG" alt="DSCF1465.JPG" src="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/reeves_canyon/thumbs/thumbs_DSCF1465.JPG" /></a>
</div>
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	<georss:point>39.2698746 -123.3694229</georss:point>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Willits Cowboy Poetry Gathering</title>
		<link>http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/willits-cowboy-poetry-gathering/883/</link>
		<comments>http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/willits-cowboy-poetry-gathering/883/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 22 Sep 2009 18:21:52 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Cyclo-monger</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Private Campgrounds]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cowboy poetry]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Emmandal Ranch]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tomki Rd]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tomki Road]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/?p=883</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[On Saturday evening, October 10, Emandal will be hosting the 3rd 
almost annual Willits Cowboy Poetry Gathering.  This time, dinner 
will be served at 6pm, on the Pizza Deck at Emandal]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p id="top" /><em>I&#8217;m cross-posting this directly from the Mendo Community BB Yahoo group because I think y&#8217;all should know. The location is Emandal Ranch where I had the absolutely BEST PIZZA EVER last year, made with fresh heirloom tomatoes from their own garden and prepared by a beaming bevy of Chef Bettys in the very impressive outdoor beehive pizza oven. I give this place 5 thumbs up and the event gets five stars. Be there and be square. Original post follows, and the location is shown on the map at the bottom of the page. If you&#8217;re coming in from out of town, I&#8217;ll be posting a route map as well and you can download the GPX file for your own navigation device by clicking the link below the map. The road is pretty, ah, challenging in spots so be prepared for a long bumpy drive, but I can guarantee you&#8217;ll not be disappointed.</em></p>
<p>On Saturday evening, October 10, Emandal will be hosting the 3rd<br />
almost annual Willits Cowboy Poetry Gathering.  This time, dinner<br />
will be served at 6pm, on the Pizza Deck at Emandal.  Kashaya Adams,<br />
of &#8220;Kashaya&#8217;s Pizza&#8221; fame, will be heading up the team of amazing<br />
chefs who will be serving up some exquisite culinary delights.</p>
<p>At 7:30, the concert begins&#8230;. in the old barn built in 1917 by Al<br />
Byrnes, the &#8220;Al&#8221; part of &#8220;Em&#8221; and &#8220;Al.&#8221;  The Emandal Chorale will<br />
start the show, followed by Dave Stamey and Susan Parker.<br />
Reservations ($30 for dinner and show) are essential, and still<br />
available by calling Tamara Adams (459-9252) or emailing<br />
cowboypoetry@emandal.com</p>
<p>&#8220;We like to think of this music as a celebration of shared heritage,<br />
an appreciation of the West as both a place, and a state of mind.&#8221;<br />
Driving directions starting at Hwy 101 and Commercial St. in Willits</p>
<div  style="text-align: left;"  class="xmlgmdiv" id="xmlgmdiv_53"><iframe class="xmlgm" id="xmlgm_53" src="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/plugins/xml-google-maps/xmlgooglemaps_show.php?gpxid=53" style="border: 0px; width: 600px; height: 350px;" name="Google_Gpx_Maps" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>
<p><img class="xmlgmele" id="xmlgmele_53"  style="text-align: left; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; max-width: 100%;"  alt="Elevation Profile" src="http://chart.apis.google.com/chart?cht=lc&#038;chls=2,0,0&#038;chf=c,ls,90,CCCCCC,0.2,FFFFFF,0.2&#038;chxt=x,y&#038;chxl=0:|0 mi|3.8 mi|7.5 mi|11.3 mi|15 mi|1:|1000 ft|1200 ft|1400 ft|1600 ft|1800 ft|2000 ft&#038;chd=s:VVUUXXXYZZdhpqsw4742xpoopprryysuyplgdbbaaYYXZWYYHX&#038;chs=600x200&#038;chco=0000FF&#038;chtt=Elevation+Profile&#038;chts=555555,12" /><br /><a href="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/routes/willits-emmandal.gpx"  > Willits to Emandal </a></p>
<p>Dave Stamey has been bucked off and stomped by many horses.  He has<br />
been stepped on by mules and dragged around branding pens by cattle<br />
of many sizes.  He&#8217;s ridden in the rain, in the snow, in the rain<br />
some more, in pretty nasty heat, and in feedlot pens where the air<br />
was thick and decidedly fragrant.  He&#8217;s even wrangled dudes.</p>
<p>He is an entertainer now, and makes his living inflicting himself<br />
upon innocent people at music festivals, agricultural banquets and<br />
backyard barbecues.  He finds he prefers this.  He has been voted<br />
Entertainer of the Year, Male Performer of the Year  and Songwriter<br />
of the Year by the Western Music Association, and Male Vocalist of<br />
the Year by the Academy of Western Artists.</p>
<p>Dave Stamey is one of the best Western songwriters alive today. His<br />
melodies blend perfectly with his lyrics to the point where you can<br />
almost feel the wind against your face and smell the soft scent of<br />
the sage. He never fails to engage his audience and take them on a<br />
rewarding journey through the panorama of the West.”</p>
<p>&#8211;Mike Fleming, Director, Santa Clarita, CA Cowboy Festival</p>
<p>Born with a cowboy soul, Susan Parker grew up with a love for horses,<br />
cowboys, rodeos, and all things Western. She rode stick ponies and<br />
played with plastic horses while her friends played with dolls.</p>
<p>Susan began writing contemporary poetry and prose in 1995. Her<br />
passion for cowboy poetry was sparked in 2003, after attending the<br />
Monterey Cowboy Poetry and Music Festival. It burst into full flame<br />
shortly thereafter.</p>
<p>Intrigued by pioneering women of the West, Susan has become a student<br />
of their writings: &#8220;I hear their voices as they pour out loneliness<br />
and frustration onto the page. Their courage and determination beg me<br />
to share their work, to appreciate the freedoms I enjoy as a result<br />
of their perseverance and sacrifice.&#8221;</p>
<p>Susan resides in Benicia, California.</p>
<div class="ngg-related-gallery"><a href="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/tomki/DSCF1470.JPG" title="Mt. Tabor Monastery" rel="lightbox[Related images for Willits Cowboy Poetry Gathering]" ><img title="DSCF1470" alt="DSCF1470" src="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/tomki/thumbs/thumbs_DSCF1470.JPG" /></a>
<a href="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/tomki/DSCF1493.JPG" title="Water crossing #8, small potatos" rel="lightbox[Related images for Willits Cowboy Poetry Gathering]" ><img title="DSCF1493" alt="DSCF1493" src="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/tomki/thumbs/thumbs_DSCF1493.JPG" /></a>
<a href="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/tomki/DSCF1489.JPG" title="Water crossing #7" rel="lightbox[Related images for Willits Cowboy Poetry Gathering]" ><img title="DSCF1489" alt="DSCF1489" src="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/tomki/thumbs/thumbs_DSCF1489.JPG" /></a>
<a href="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/tomki/DSCF1481.JPG" title="Rough conditions" rel="lightbox[Related images for Willits Cowboy Poetry Gathering]" ><img title="DSCF1481" alt="DSCF1481" src="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/tomki/thumbs/thumbs_DSCF1481.JPG" /></a>
<a href="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/tomki/DSCF1486.JPG" title="Water crossing #6" rel="lightbox[Related images for Willits Cowboy Poetry Gathering]" ><img title="DSCF1486" alt="DSCF1486" src="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/tomki/thumbs/thumbs_DSCF1486.JPG" /></a>
<a href="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/tomki/DSCF1495.JPG" title="Following the trail" rel="lightbox[Related images for Willits Cowboy Poetry Gathering]" ><img title="DSCF1495" alt="DSCF1495" src="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/tomki/thumbs/thumbs_DSCF1495.JPG" /></a>
<a href="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/tomki/DSCF1469.JPG" title="Monastery of the 10,000 mailboxes" rel="lightbox[Related images for Willits Cowboy Poetry Gathering]" ><img title="DSCF1469" alt="DSCF1469" src="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/tomki/thumbs/thumbs_DSCF1469.JPG" /></a>
<a href="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/tomki/DSCF1497.JPG" title="Reading these carefully is a good eay to know which way to go" rel="lightbox[Related images for Willits Cowboy Poetry Gathering]" ><img title="DSCF1497" alt="DSCF1497" src="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/tomki/thumbs/thumbs_DSCF1497.JPG" /></a>
<a href="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/tomki/DSCF1475.JPG" title="A picture worth at least two words" rel="lightbox[Related images for Willits Cowboy Poetry Gathering]" ><img title="DSCF1475" alt="DSCF1475" src="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/tomki/thumbs/thumbs_DSCF1475.JPG" /></a>
</div>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Mushrooms in the mist</title>
		<link>http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/mushrooms-in-the-mist/879/</link>
		<comments>http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/mushrooms-in-the-mist/879/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 21 Sep 2009 23:20:57 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Cyclo-monger</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Private Campgrounds]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[chanterelle]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Leonard Lake]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mushroom picking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mushrooms]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Reeves Canyon Road]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/?p=879</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Exclusive guided mushroom picking tours on 4400 acres of private nature reserve]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p id="top" /><div class="wp-caption alignright" style="width: 500px"><img style="margin: 3px; vertical-align: text-bottom;" title="Chanterelle mushrooms" src="http://web.mit.edu/jasonm/www/photos/Closeup/Chanterelle.jpg" alt="Chanterelle mushrooms" width="490" height="324" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Chanterelle mushrooms underfoot</p></div></p>
<p>Well, winter is coming to NorCal, and with winter comes the rains, and with the rains come the mushrooms; chanterelles, matsutake, oyster, etc., etc. I&#8217;ve been picking mushrooms since, as we say in Hawaii, &#8220;small kid time&#8221; and those many hours spent slogging through damp fern and bracken are fond memories, all the more so those many baskets, buckets and bags dragged up out of the woods of northwest Oregon, full to overflowing with a huge variety of delicious species, but mostly filled with glowing orange-golden Chenterelleses, preciousss, the King of wild mushrooms, we wants them precioussssss.</p>
<p>Riding on top of the normal winter season, this year, according to Stormsurf.com we have a<span id="more-879"></span></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-family: Tahoma,Verdana,Arial,MS Sans Serif; color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;">Weak-Moderate El Nino Developing</span></strong><br />
<strong> <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Verdana,Arial,MS Sans Serif; color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"> Solid Warm Pattern in-Play Over the Equatorial East Pacific</span></strong></p>
<p align="left"><span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>Overview:</strong> Early 2008 saw a marginal El Nino try to take control of the tropical Pacific from March into July, fueled by several active phases of Madden Julian Oscillation (MJO).  The MJO faltered and La Nina returned, cutting the legs off the developing warm pattern. But the MJO was strong enough for long enough to cause anomalously warm warm to appear off Central America and change the atmosphere creating momentum that fueled the development of a decent Fall storm pattern, holding on into late November 2008.  But right when things were starting to get in a groove, the upper level (jetstream) winds that were driving the machine and fueled by the warm waters off Central America during the summer months, disintegrated.  A split jetstream flow took over totally shutting down the storm pattern.  The remainder of the Winter and Spring 2008/2009 season were completely placid. </span></p>
<p align="left"><span style="font-size: medium;">With that in mind, we moved into the Spring of 2009 seeing a similar pattern. That is, the MJO came-on strong again with a solid series of consecutive Active Phases and a marked increase in westerly wind anomalies in the West Pacific resulting in anomalously warm subsurface waters tracking east towards Central America (Kelvin Waves). As the Kelvin Waves erupted along the Central American coast, warm surface waters began to appear, much like the year previous, but with more vigor. It is with that background scenario that we look to the coming Fall and Winter of 2009/2010 with higher expectations and the hope for real surf for the first time in over a decade for Hawaii, Canada and the US West Coast.  The paragraphs below describe the state of various indicators used to assess long-term global weather conditions (be it either El Nino or La Nina), followed by a revised set of criteria for assessing it&#8217;s impact on surf generation potential for the future.</span></p>
<p align="left"><span style="font-family: Tahoma,Verdana,Arial,MS Sans Serif; color: #333333; font-size: x-small;"><a title="09-10 El Nino forcast from Stormsurf" href="http://www.stormsurf.com/page2/enso/current.shtml" target="_parent">read the rest here</a></span></p>
<p>Al this means we can expect more rain than usual and more rain, up to a point, means more mushrooms. Emerald Empire Adventures is currently developing exclusive two and three day day guided mushroom picking at the secluded private reserve at Leonard Lake. This your chance to learn how to pick, what to pick and most importantly, what not to pick. You&#8217;ll spend the night at one of the five lovely cottages overlooking the largest natural lake in Mendocino County and you won&#8217;t be running into any territorial individuals since this is entirely within the 4400 acre private reserve. In the evening we&#8217;ll clean, process and prepare the day&#8217;s take, pair the dishes with selected local vintages and tell war stories around the fireplace. Check back soon for prices and availability. the Images below are taken along the way to Leonard Lake on Reeves Canyon Road.</p>
<div class="ngg-related-gallery"><a href="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/reeves_canyon/DSCF1454.JPG" title="Swingset on the lake lawn" rel="lightbox[Related images for Mushrooms in the mist]" ><img title="DSCF1454.JPG" alt="DSCF1454.JPG" src="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/reeves_canyon/thumbs/thumbs_DSCF1454.JPG" /></a>
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<a href="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/reeves_canyon/DSCF1462.JPG" title="An unfinished dream" rel="lightbox[Related images for Mushrooms in the mist]" ><img title="DSCF1462.JPG" alt="DSCF1462.JPG" src="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/reeves_canyon/thumbs/thumbs_DSCF1462.JPG" /></a>
<a href="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/reeves_canyon/DSCF1465.JPG" title="Looking south and up" rel="lightbox[Related images for Mushrooms in the mist]" ><img title="DSCF1465.JPG" alt="DSCF1465.JPG" src="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/reeves_canyon/thumbs/thumbs_DSCF1465.JPG" /></a>
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<a href="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/reeves_canyon/DSCF1425.JPG" title="Expect elevated heart rate" rel="lightbox[Related images for Mushrooms in the mist]" ><img title="DSCF1425.JPG" alt="DSCF1425.JPG" src="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/reeves_canyon/thumbs/thumbs_DSCF1425.JPG" /></a>
<a href="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/reeves_canyon/DSCF1457.JPG" title="Stocked with perch and bass" rel="lightbox[Related images for Mushrooms in the mist]" ><img title="DSCF1457.JPG" alt="DSCF1457.JPG" src="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/reeves_canyon/thumbs/thumbs_DSCF1457.JPG" /></a>
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	<georss:point>39.2698746 -123.3694229</georss:point>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Pearl Izumi 07-08 ALP Mountain Bike-Hiking-Running Shoe</title>
		<link>http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/pearl-izumi-07-08-alp-mountain-bike-hiking-running-shoe/778/</link>
		<comments>http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/pearl-izumi-07-08-alp-mountain-bike-hiking-running-shoe/778/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 14 Jul 2009 22:58:11 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Cyclo-monger</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Bicycle Touring Gear]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bicycle touring]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cycle touring]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cycling]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[footgear]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[multi-function]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[multi-sport]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sustainable development]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/?p=778</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Whether you are logging big trail miles or beating gas pump prices, the X-Alp Mid is your go to shoe]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p id="top" />
<div id="prod_image" style="width: 350px; float: left; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"><img style="margin-top: 5px; margin-right: 5px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px;" src="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/cycling/goodshoe.jpg" alt="" width="350" /></div>
<p style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">
<p style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">&#8220;Whether you are logging big trail miles or beating gas pump prices, the X-Alp Mid is your go to shoe. Built for the long haul, the R&amp;R plate allows you to drop the hammer on the pedals but has enough flexibility and traction for when you have to get off and push up the big hills. Quick drying, highly breathable mesh/synthetic upper. Endo-skeletal fit system securely wraps feet.&#8221;</p>
<p><span id="more-778"></span></p>
<p style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">
<p style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">So sayeth the sellers. I sez;</p>
<p style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">&#8220;I’m just now shopping for a new shoe having completely ridden through my last pair of this PI Alp model. Due to my tendency to downhill with my left foot down and forward, holding most of my weight when standing off the saddle, after 18 months and 6-7k miles of on and off pavement touring, commuting, some single track and a good deal of hiking (mech. breakdown, too steep/loose, just walking around off the bike, etc) and nearly constant wear, the left shoe is pulling apart at the toe and along the outer mid-sole. The uppers are subject to wear and fraying from friction with the crank, and about 2\&#8221; of the left upper has pulled apart at the reinforcement around the laces.</p>
<div id="prod_image" style="width: 350px; float: left; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"><img style="margin-top: 5px; margin-right: 5px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px;" src="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/cycling/badshoe.jpg" alt="" width="350" /></div>
<p style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">
<p style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">
<p style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">That said, this is a well built, comfortable multi-function shoe with an excellent $/value ratio. I would highly recommend it to the dollar concious backwoods banzai artist who does not want to carry an extra pair of shoes whether on tour or just commuting.&#8221;</p>
<p style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">
<p style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">Apparently, great minds think alike. As always though with any heavily used and depended upon gear, durability versus cost versus available funds versus necessity is what the equation boils down to. Shoes? Ya gotta have &#8216;em. I paid $70 on clearance for mine and got about 6500 quality miles out of them. That&#8217;s about 0.9 cents per riding mile only, not including the daily wear for walking. The scientific method would now suggest that my next pair cost significantly more, to provide abasis for evaluating cost/performance on the cents per mile scale. Unfortunately for the scienbtific method, these match the orange and black color scheme of my &#8216;07 Trek Portland.</p>
<p style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">
<p style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">
<div class="ngg-related-gallery"><a href="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/willits_Ft_Bragg_Skunk/birthday ride 08 028.jpg" title="Ocean view with breakfast" rel="lightbox[Related images for Pearl Izumi 07-08 ALP Mountain Bike-Hiking-Running Shoe]" ><img title="                               " alt="                               " src="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/willits_Ft_Bragg_Skunk/thumbs/thumbs_birthday ride 08 028.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/pv-tk/DSCF1491.JPG" title="Vee-double y'all" rel="lightbox[Related images for Pearl Izumi 07-08 ALP Mountain Bike-Hiking-Running Shoe]" ><img title="Touristas" alt="Touristas" src="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/pv-tk/thumbs/thumbs_DSCF1491.JPG" /></a>
<a href="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/willits_Ft_Bragg_Skunk/birthday ride 08 036.jpg" title="II" rel="lightbox[Related images for Pearl Izumi 07-08 ALP Mountain Bike-Hiking-Running Shoe]" ><img title="                               " alt="                               " src="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/willits_Ft_Bragg_Skunk/thumbs/thumbs_birthday ride 08 036.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/Orr_Skunk/DSC02131.JPG" title="" rel="lightbox[Related images for Pearl Izumi 07-08 ALP Mountain Bike-Hiking-Running Shoe]" ><img title="Halfyway up the first big climb                               " alt="Halfyway up the first big climb                               " src="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/Orr_Skunk/thumbs/thumbs_DSC02131.JPG" /></a>
<a href="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/clearlake-loop/DSCF1539.jpg" title="Homer Simpson would approve." rel="lightbox[Related images for Pearl Izumi 07-08 ALP Mountain Bike-Hiking-Running Shoe]" ><img title="Mmmm, beer" alt="Mmmm, beer" src="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/clearlake-loop/thumbs/thumbs_DSCF1539.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/willits_Ft_Bragg_Skunk/birthday ride 08 010.jpg" title="32 miles to the coast, narrow shoulders from Willits to the crest" rel="lightbox[Related images for Pearl Izumi 07-08 ALP Mountain Bike-Hiking-Running Shoe]" ><img title="                               " alt="                               " src="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/willits_Ft_Bragg_Skunk/thumbs/thumbs_birthday ride 08 010.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/Orr_Skunk/DSC02189.JPG" title="......that the stimulus plan is working; this cabin will have broadband." rel="lightbox[Related images for Pearl Izumi 07-08 ALP Mountain Bike-Hiking-Running Shoe]" ><img title="Here's how we'll know......." alt="Here's how we'll know......." src="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/Orr_Skunk/thumbs/thumbs_DSC02189.JPG" /></a>
<a href="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/pv-tk/DSCF1488.JPG" title="Forest Ridge of the eponymous Road, my date for the afternoon. 2850' at the peak on the upper left." rel="lightbox[Related images for Pearl Izumi 07-08 ALP Mountain Bike-Hiking-Running Shoe]" ><img title="Looking south down the valley of the Eel" alt="Looking south down the valley of the Eel" src="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/pv-tk/thumbs/thumbs_DSCF1488.JPG" /></a>
<a href="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/pv-tk/DSCF1531.JPG" title="Reeves Canyon Road to the right. I feel like I'm cheating" rel="lightbox[Related images for Pearl Izumi 07-08 ALP Mountain Bike-Hiking-Running Shoe]" ><img title="End of the line, Redwood Valley dead ahead" alt="End of the line, Redwood Valley dead ahead" src="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/pv-tk/thumbs/thumbs_DSCF1531.JPG" /></a>
</div>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Reeves Canyon Road to Leonard Lake</title>
		<link>http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/reeves-canyon-road-to-leonard-lake/721/</link>
		<comments>http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/reeves-canyon-road-to-leonard-lake/721/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 2009 20:15:25 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Cyclo-monger</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[NorCal Cycling Routes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Private Campgrounds]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bass]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bicycle touring]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[big trees]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fishing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Leonard Lake]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[old growth]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Reeves Canyon Road]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/?p=721</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[For a peek at what the whole of "Redwood" Valley used to look like, if you're headed north, take a left at the bottom of the "Redwood" Grade on the "Redwood" Highway onto Reeves Canyon Road]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p id="top" />For a peek at what the whole of &#8220;Redwood&#8221; Valley used to look like, if you&#8217;re headed north, take a left at the bottom of the Redwood Grade on the Redwood Highway onto Reeves Canyon Road. The road surface deteriorates rapidly from smooth pavement to quilted pavement to loose, dusty gravel. In the upper reaches some of the steeper parts range from 12%-20% grades, but by then you are in the dappled shade of big old trees and well down in the cool canyon.<br />
The GPS data below were recorded on June 30, 2009;</p>
<div  style="text-align: left;"  class="xmlgmdiv" id="xmlgmdiv_24"><iframe class="xmlgm" id="xmlgm_24" src="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/plugins/xml-google-maps/xmlgooglemaps_show.php?gpxid=24" style="border: 0px; width: 600px; height: 350px;" name="Google_Gpx_Maps" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>
<p><img class="xmlgmele" id="xmlgmele_24"  style="text-align: left; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; max-width: 100%;"  alt="Elevation Profile" src="http://chart.apis.google.com/chart?cht=lc&#038;chls=2,0,0&#038;chf=c,ls,90,CCCCCC,0.2,FFFFFF,0.2&#038;chxt=x,y&#038;chxl=0:|0 mi|3 mi|6 mi|9 mi|12 mi|1:|750 ft|1000 ft|1250 ft|1500 ft|1750 ft|2000 ft&#038;chd=s:CEFFDDFJKKKLLMNNNOPPQSSTWbfhhijjkllmnopqrtv0yux047&#038;chs=600x200&#038;chco=0000FF&#038;chtt=Elevation+Profile&#038;chts=555555,12" /><br /><a href="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/routes/rcll-2009-06-30.gpx">Reeves Canyon Road to Leonard Lake and the Upper Ranch </a>. Click on the link to download the GPX source file for your own navigation device.</p>
<p>Six miles from the highway you&#8217;ll come across a locked gate with a sign reading &#8220;End of Public Road, Private Property, Violators will be Prosecuted&#8221;. They mean it. The four miles from the gate to Leonard Lake is owned by the adjacent landowners and is operated as a series of private reserves, mostly for family vacations and special events. The facilities are very much 1930&#8217;s rustic, with small cabins, very lightly improved campgrounds nestled beside the clear cool waters of Reeves Canyon stream, and enveloped by old growth native forest.<br />
The headwaters of the stream at Leonard Lake is the heart of the former Crowsfoot Logging family reserve, and uniquely in the Redwood Valley, has never been logged. To the west, the 4000 acre parcel backs up against Montgomery Woods State Park. Between the two, this area represents a significant remainder of our original ecosystem. Though somewhat altered by ranching, farming and habitation over the past century and a half, you will still find magnificent groves of Coastal Redwood and White Fire that have never suffered the saw or the axe.<br />
Exclusively through Emerald Empire Adventures, the public may now gain access for cycling, hiking or equestrian adventures. Strictly by appointment, we will guide you and your party through one of the few remaining places in the Emerald Empire where you can pass lightly through a vision from a vanishing world, as if it were your own private paradise.<br />
Having passed through to Orr Hot Springs, the natural thing to do is to relax those tired muscles  in the 103 degree waters before riding up the final 100&#8242; climb to spend the night under the stars at Mann Ranch, where the 360 degree dark sky horizon is truly stunning by naked eye, binoculars of telescope (which can be arranged as well).<br />
In the morning there&#8217;s a 9 mile 6%-12% downhill back into the valley for breakfast at Club Calpella or Angel&#8217;s in Redwood Valley and then on to the finish at Base Camp on Laughlin Rd. There&#8217;s a 60 mile, three day weekend to remember.<br />
So check back soon for more GPS tracks on the back side, Orr Springs and Mann Ranch segments.</p>
<div class="ngg-related-gallery"><a href="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/reeves_canyon/DSCF1453.JPG" title="The new house" rel="lightbox[Related images for Reeves Canyon Road to Leonard Lake]" ><img title="DSCF1453.JPG" alt="DSCF1453.JPG" src="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/reeves_canyon/thumbs/thumbs_DSCF1453.JPG" /></a>
<a href="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/reeves_canyon/DSCF1415.JPG" title="Dusty gravel and oak trees along the way" rel="lightbox[Related images for Reeves Canyon Road to Leonard Lake]" ><img title="DSCF1415.JPG" alt="DSCF1415.JPG" src="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/reeves_canyon/thumbs/thumbs_DSCF1415.JPG" /></a>
<a href="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/reeves_canyon/DSCF1426.JPG" title="Breathe, breathe" rel="lightbox[Related images for Reeves Canyon Road to Leonard Lake]" ><img title="DSCF1426.JPG" alt="DSCF1426.JPG" src="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/reeves_canyon/thumbs/thumbs_DSCF1426.JPG" /></a>
<a href="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/Orr_Skunk/DSC02181.JPG" title="Right? Not so much." rel="lightbox[Related images for Reeves Canyon Road to Leonard Lake]" ><img title="Seen one, ya seen em all                               " alt="Seen one, ya seen em all                               " src="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/Orr_Skunk/thumbs/thumbs_DSC02181.JPG" /></a>
<a href="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/reeves_canyon/DSCF1435.JPG" title="A little campsite among the trees" rel="lightbox[Related images for Reeves Canyon Road to Leonard Lake]" ><img title="DSCF1435.JPG" alt="DSCF1435.JPG" src="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/reeves_canyon/thumbs/thumbs_DSCF1435.JPG" /></a>
<a href="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/reeves_canyon/DSCF1458.JPG" title="Swim anyone?" rel="lightbox[Related images for Reeves Canyon Road to Leonard Lake]" ><img title="DSCF1458.JPG" alt="DSCF1458.JPG" src="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/reeves_canyon/thumbs/thumbs_DSCF1458.JPG" /></a>
<a href="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/reeves_canyon/DSCF1446.JPG" title="This is what its SUPPOSED to look like" rel="lightbox[Related images for Reeves Canyon Road to Leonard Lake]" ><img title="DSCF1446.JPG" alt="DSCF1446.JPG" src="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/reeves_canyon/thumbs/thumbs_DSCF1446.JPG" /></a>
<a href="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/reeves_canyon/DSCF1465.JPG" title="Looking south and up" rel="lightbox[Related images for Reeves Canyon Road to Leonard Lake]" ><img title="DSCF1465.JPG" alt="DSCF1465.JPG" src="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/reeves_canyon/thumbs/thumbs_DSCF1465.JPG" /></a>
<a href="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/Orr_Skunk/DSC02182.JPG" title="What goes up........ It looks to me like the last scene from "Sometimes a great notion". This time its the tree rather than the logger that's defiant to the last." rel="lightbox[Related images for Reeves Canyon Road to Leonard Lake]" ><img title="The long slow cycle                               " alt="The long slow cycle                               " src="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/Orr_Skunk/thumbs/thumbs_DSC02182.JPG" /></a>
</div>
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	<georss:point>39.2698746 -123.3694229</georss:point>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Rally for State Parks Saturday, June 20</title>
		<link>http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/rally-for-state-parks-saturday-june-20/690/</link>
		<comments>http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/rally-for-state-parks-saturday-june-20/690/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 20 Jun 2009 19:00:21 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Cyclo-monger</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Public Campgrounds]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sustainability and Ethical Development]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cultural tourism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[economic localization]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ft. Bragg]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Stae Parks closure]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/?p=690</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Please join Mendocino Area Parks Association' s Carolyne Cathey and 
other
park supporters and visitors 1:00PM today - Saturday June 20 - 
at 1:00PM
beside the Ford House on Mendocino Headlands. ]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p id="top" />
<p>Please join <span id="lw_1245523069_0" class="yshortcuts">Mendocino</span> Area Parks Association&#8217; s Carolyne Cathey and other park supporters and visitors 1:00PM today &#8211; Saturday June 20 &#8211; at 1:00PM beside the Ford House on Mendocino Headlands. The issues may not be clear to all of us, and this is your chance to hear what is going on with the state parks funding and how critical our voices are right now.<br />
Enjoy some music and stop in the Ford House for a tour of this historic house on the headlands.
</p>
<p>The only hope we have left to keep the parks open is to encourage all the voters in the state to contact their Senators, Representatives, and the Governor and ask for their &#8220;Yes&#8221; vote on a new funding stream to support our state parks &#8212; a $15/year per vehicle State Park Access Pass added to our car registrations. The Republican Caucus in both the Senate and the House, and the Governor, oppose this concept. With a SPAP, any of us with a California registered vehicle will have free day use, no matter how many times we entered the Parks.</p>
<p>To her credit, Assemblywoman Patty Wiggins not only supports funding for state parks, but she had already taken a salary cut, and reduced her per diem reimbursement for living expenses in Sacramento. Senator Wes Chesbro is also a strong support of parks.</p>
<p>Without some funding mechanism in this budget round, Parks will close. Businesses will be hurt when visitors stop coming because the campgrounds are closed, the restrooms are locked, the litter piles up and the roads are barricaded. Park properties will suffer right here where we live<br />
and all over the state.</p>
<p>Please come and listen, and lend your support to help keeps our<br />
parks open.</p>
<p>I am only a member of one MCN community list, Fort Bragg. If you would be so kind, we would appreciate it if you would send this message to the other local community lists as well.</p>
<p>Thank you,</p>
<p>Marilyn Boese<br />
www.mendoparks. org</p>
<div class="ngg-related-gallery"><a href="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/Sherwood/DSC02223.JPG" title="An excellent stop for carbs before tackling the long climb, this market seems unchanged since the 50's and is an institution in the neighborhood." rel="lightbox[Related images for Rally for State Parks Saturday, June 20]" ><img title="Columbi Deli and Grocery, Ft. Bragg                               " alt="Columbi Deli and Grocery, Ft. Bragg                               " src="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/Sherwood/thumbs/thumbs_DSC02223.JPG" /></a>
<a href="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/willits_Ft_Bragg_Skunk/skunk conductor.jpg" title="He's had his picture taken before" rel="lightbox[Related images for Rally for State Parks Saturday, June 20]" ><img title="                               " alt="                               " src="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/willits_Ft_Bragg_Skunk/thumbs/thumbs_skunk conductor.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/willits_Ft_Bragg_Skunk/birthday ride 08 042.jpg" title="Noyo Harbor Bridge with excellent pedestrian and bicycle facilities" rel="lightbox[Related images for Rally for State Parks Saturday, June 20]" ><img title="                               " alt="                               " src="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/willits_Ft_Bragg_Skunk/thumbs/thumbs_birthday ride 08 042.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/willits_Ft_Bragg_Skunk/birthday ride 08 073.jpg" title="Gray morning on the beach" rel="lightbox[Related images for Rally for State Parks Saturday, June 20]" ><img title="                               " alt="                               " src="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/willits_Ft_Bragg_Skunk/thumbs/thumbs_birthday ride 08 073.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/willits_Ft_Bragg_Skunk/birthday ride 08 052.jpg" title="Two guest rooms and a hot tub in The Tower at the Wilson House" rel="lightbox[Related images for Rally for State Parks Saturday, June 20]" ><img title="                               " alt="                               " src="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/willits_Ft_Bragg_Skunk/thumbs/thumbs_birthday ride 08 052.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/willits_Ft_Bragg_Skunk/birthday ride 08 077.jpg" title="Wolfing down breakfast before the train leaves" rel="lightbox[Related images for Rally for State Parks Saturday, June 20]" ><img title="                               " alt="                               " src="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/willits_Ft_Bragg_Skunk/thumbs/thumbs_birthday ride 08 077.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/willits_Ft_Bragg_Skunk/birthday ride 08 056.jpg" title="Snow on photoshop" rel="lightbox[Related images for Rally for State Parks Saturday, June 20]" ><img title="                               " alt="                               " src="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/willits_Ft_Bragg_Skunk/thumbs/thumbs_birthday ride 08 056.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/willits_Ft_Bragg_Skunk/birthday ride 08 053.jpg" title="A misty sunset by the sea" rel="lightbox[Related images for Rally for State Parks Saturday, June 20]" ><img title="                               " alt="                               " src="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/willits_Ft_Bragg_Skunk/thumbs/thumbs_birthday ride 08 053.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/willits_Ft_Bragg_Skunk/birthday ride 08 054.jpg" title="This is why I ride" rel="lightbox[Related images for Rally for State Parks Saturday, June 20]" ><img title="                               " alt="                               " src="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/willits_Ft_Bragg_Skunk/thumbs/thumbs_birthday ride 08 054.jpg" /></a>
</div>
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	<georss:point>39.3055420 -123.7960052</georss:point>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Breggo Cellars, Mendocino Tatsting Room</title>
		<link>http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/breggo-cellars-mendocino-tatsting-room/627/</link>
		<comments>http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/breggo-cellars-mendocino-tatsting-room/627/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 10 Jun 2009 18:43:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Cyclo-monger</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Wine Country]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mendocino wine country]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/?p=627</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Breggo Cellars invites you to join us for 2nd Saturday in Mendocino this weekend.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p id="top" />
<div id="none"><img src="http://www.breggo.com/images/vineyard-ram-index.jpg" alt="Breggo Cellars Logo" width="650" height="290" /></div>
<p>Breggo Cellars invites you to join us for 2nd Saturday in Mendocino this weekend. We proudly feature the works of Mendocino County artists Antoinette von Grone, Susan Spencer, Michael Wilson, and Suzi Long for your enjoyment. We will stay open until 7pm &#8211; hope to meet you there!</p>
<p>Kristy Cole<br />
Breggo Cellars &#8211; Mendocino Tasting Room<br />
45070B Main Street, Mendocino<br />
707-937-9900<br />
www.breggo.com<br />
twitter.com/ breggo</p>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
	<georss:point>39.3044891 -123.8021317</georss:point>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Wine Country, Mendocino Style</title>
		<link>http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/mendo-wine-country/457/</link>
		<comments>http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/mendo-wine-country/457/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 21 May 2009 07:55:19 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Cyclo-monger</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Wine Country]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Appellations]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cultural tourism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[custom adventure]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cycle touring]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[GoMendo]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mendocino County]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[wineries]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/?p=457</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[What we will do here that no one else does is to geotag all the wineries and to fill out, over time, the posts here with our own personal impressions and those of our guests as we travel through the countryside and sample the fruit of the vine.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p id="top" />Others are far more eloquent than I when describing the excellence of the terrior, the this of the that and so on and so on, and there are a number of other sites (from which we will quote liberally) that do a far better job than we at using the language of wine. What we will do here that no one else does is to geotag all the wineries and to fill out, over time, the posts here with our own personal impressions and those of our guests as we travel through the countryside and sample the fruit of the vine.</p>
<p><a title="GoMendo" href="http://www.gomendo.com/" target="_blank">GoMendo.com</a> is an excellent source for all things Mendo related and we here will be focusing more on personal experience rather than purely promotional materials, but for the moment we will quote their text and links as place holders. Remember, <a title="Our main site" href="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/" target="_blank">Emerald Empire Adventures</a> can arrange for private tastings and tours as a part of any multi-sport, cultural and/or nature-based Adventures. In addition to the wineries listed here, there are many small, unique vintners with no website, no tasting rooms and unusual varietals. If you would like to visit one (or several) of these hidden treasures, be sure to let us know and we will see what we can do.</p>
<p>From my personal experience living in and cycling through the Po Valley and the Alto Adige regions of northern Italy, I can say without  equivocation that the combination of vines, climbs, friendly folks and great local foods and arts available and Mendocino and surrounding counties is rapidly approaching a kind of critical mass that promises to develop into a place equal to any in Italy.</p>
<div class="ngg-related-gallery"><a href="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/clearlake-loop/DSCF1545.jpg" title="These guys had at least ten catfish, the smallest of which was several pounds." rel="lightbox[Related images for Wine Country, Mendocino Style]" ><img title="Bet you're goin fishin'" alt="Bet you're goin fishin'" src="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/clearlake-loop/thumbs/thumbs_DSCF1545.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/purple_thistle/DSCF1260.jpg" title="" rel="lightbox[Related images for Wine Country, Mendocino Style]" ><img title="Tulips" alt="Tulips" src="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/purple_thistle/thumbs/thumbs_DSCF1260.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/willits_Ft_Bragg_Skunk/birthday ride 08 055.jpg" title="Aummmmm" rel="lightbox[Related images for Wine Country, Mendocino Style]" ><img title="                               " alt="                               " src="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/willits_Ft_Bragg_Skunk/thumbs/thumbs_birthday ride 08 055.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/purple_thistle/DSCF1270.jpg" title="" rel="lightbox[Related images for Wine Country, Mendocino Style]" ><img title="Checkstand perspective riff" alt="Checkstand perspective riff" src="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/purple_thistle/thumbs/thumbs_DSCF1270.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/mann-ranch/mann-ranch-4-5-09 035.jpg" title="" rel="lightbox[Related images for Wine Country, Mendocino Style]" ><img title="Waaaaay over there" alt="Waaaaay over there" src="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/mann-ranch/thumbs/thumbs_mann-ranch-4-5-09 035.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/mann-ranch/main-hse-frnt.jpg" title="" rel="lightbox[Related images for Wine Country, Mendocino Style]" ><img title="A grand old farmhouse" alt="A grand old farmhouse" src="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/mann-ranch/thumbs/thumbs_main-hse-frnt.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/clearlake-loop/DSCF1538.jpg" title="I ride a motorcycle too, but I'm the motor and I can pick mine up with one hand." rel="lightbox[Related images for Wine Country, Mendocino Style]" ><img title="Someone's Pride and Joy" alt="Someone's Pride and Joy" src="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/clearlake-loop/thumbs/thumbs_DSCF1538.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/rda-bb-pv/DSCF1508.JPG" title="Fishing on the Russian River above Lake Mendocino, along Potter Valley Road" rel="lightbox[Related images for Wine Country, Mendocino Style]" ><img title="Gone fishin'" alt="Gone fishin'" src="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/rda-bb-pv/thumbs/thumbs_DSCF1508.JPG" /></a>
<a href="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/main-ranch-road/DSCF1522-1.JPG" title="Its all about the light, and being there" rel="lightbox[Related images for Wine Country, Mendocino Style]" ><img title="Sunset on trees" alt="Sunset on trees" src="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/main-ranch-road/thumbs/thumbs_DSCF1522-1.JPG" /></a>
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	<georss:point>39.1300621 -123.2089233</georss:point>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Mendonesia Cafe</title>
		<link>http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/mendonesia-cafe/454/</link>
		<comments>http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/mendonesia-cafe/454/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 21 May 2009 06:48:54 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Cyclo-monger</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Resaraunts and Bistros]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[coffee]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[conversation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mendonesia Cafe]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[music]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pastries]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/?p=454</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It's our favorite morning coffee and conversation spot with good pastries, good conversation and an excellent high bandwidth WiFi connection. In the evenings the host a wild variety of musical performances in their very high-tech performance space.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p id="top" />Below  are several relevant links and the text from a recent posting on the Mendo Community Bulletin Board (mendocommunity-BB@yahoogroups.com) from another of the cultural treasures of the Emerald Empire; Mendonesia Cafe. It&#8217;s our favorite morning coffee and conversation spot in Willits with good pastries, good conversation and an excellent high bandwidth WiFi connection. In the evenings the host a wild variety of musical performances in their very high-tech performance space. Our guests are always suprised by the sound quality, the qualtiy of the music and the quality of the ambience. Always an altogether excellent esperience, any time of day or night.</p>
<p><a title="MySpace" href="http://www.myspace.com/mendonesiacafe" target="_blank">Mendonesia on MySpace</a></p>
<p><a title="MySpace" href="http://www.myspace.com/mendonesiacafe" target="_blank"></a><img style="margin: 5px;" src="http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/34/m_68a459e36eda452bb4e9bf264abbe60b.jpg" alt="High Diving Horses" width="170" height="273" /></p>
<p><a class="l" onmousedown="return clk('http://www.gomendo.com/clicker.asp?source=Search%20Results&amp;id=3872','','','res','2','')" href="http://www.gomendo.com/clicker.asp?source=Search%20Results&amp;id=3872">GoMendo.com - <em>Mendonesia Cafe</em></a></p>
<p><em><a class="l" onmousedown="return clk(this.href,'','','res','3','')" href="http://events.advocate-news.com/willits-ca/venues/show/1045603-mendonesia-cafe"><em>Mendonesia Cafe</em> - Willits, CA &#8211; Fort Bragg Advocate-News</a></em></p>
<p><em><a class="l" onmousedown="return clk(this.href,'','','res','5','')" href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/239/1443237/restaurant/Northern-California/Mendonesia-Cafe-Willits"><em>Mendonesia Cafe</em> Willits | Coffee Shop in Willits | Restaurant <strong>&#8230;</strong></a></em></p>
<p><em><strong><em><span style="font-weight: normal;">Mendonesia Cafe</span></em><span style="font-weight: normal;">, Coffee Shop in Willits. Reviews from critics, blogs, and fellow diners. See menus and maps for popular restaurants.</span><br />
</strong></em><br />
Hi all!</p>
<p>Some fun times are to be had as we move into the summer here at the cafe!</p>
<p>This week&#8230;</p>
<p>Thursday, May 21&#8230;High 5&#8230;jazz/swing. ..12pm!<br />
Saturday, May 23&#8230;Vic Star&#8230;singer/ songwriter. ..12pm!</p>
<p>and&#8230;</p>
<p>The Strings and Voices Series at Mendonesia CafÃ© presents</p>
<p>Jared Denton Jones</p>
<p>Tuesday, May 26</p>
<p>12:00pm</p>
<p>all ages and free!</p>
<p>Somewhere between Texas and Minnesota you will find Jared Denton Jones creating great music with an organic honesty. Playing guitar (acoustic and electric with all kinds of toys) and utilizing different vocal styles, tying in aspects of folk, rock, blues, and punk he has a very original sound. Depending on the venue you may get something like a heavier Ratatat, or something along the lines of Iron and Wine meets John Frusciante. Either way its bound to be a great show!</p>
<p>Currently living in Austin TX, playing full time with Monarch Box, as well as with several other projects with Ross Roenigk, Jared finds time to do some soundtrack work, while making a good living giving you vegan super food smoothies with Daily Juice Co.</p>
<p>www.myspace. com/jareddentonj ones</p>
<p>AND DON&#8217;T MISS THESE UPCOMING SHOWS!</p>
<p>Thursday, June 4 @ 12pm- Critical Measures Trio-jazz/funk!</p>
<p>Saturday, June 6 @ 12pm- Miami Rogue Roosters- swing jazz!</p>
<p>Tuesday, June 9 @ 12pm- Amy Obenski- singer/songwriter!</p>
<p>Saturday, June 13 @ 12pm- Home on the Strange- bluegrass!</p>
<p>Tuesday, June 16 @ 12pm- Chris Hansen- singer/songwriter!</p>
<p>Friday, June 19 @ 12pm- Amy Obenski returns!</p>
<p>Friday, June 26 @ 12pm- Kyle Williams- singer/songwriter!</p>
<p>Saturday, June 27 @ 8pm- the Dirt Floor and John Craigie!</p>
<p>FRIDAY JULY 3 @ 7:30- FAREED HAQUE &amp; THE FLAT EARTH ENSEMBLE! ft. members of Garaj Mahal!</p>
<p>Monday, July 13 @ 12pm- David Fletcher- singer/songwriter!</p>
<p>Saturday, July 18 @ 12pm- Elizabeth Jonasson and Amanda West- singer songwriters!</p>
<p>Saturday, August 1 @ 12pm- Conception Vessel One- sultry cellist and singer!</p>
<p>Saturday, August 8 time tba- Joe Del Rio- singer/songwriter!</p>
<p>Monday, August 10 @ 12pm- Traveling, Broke and Out of Gas- folk/bluegrass!</p>
<p>Saturday, August 15 @ 12pm- Not An Airplane</p>
<p>Saturday, September 19 @ 12pm- Clint Crighton- Singer songwriter from Australia!</p>
<p>Mendonesia Cafe© is located at 3 So. Main St in Willits, on the east corner of Hwy 101 and Commercial St. The cafe proudly serves organic, locally made desserts, sandwiches, smoothies, salads and more! Come for dinner, stay for the show!</p>
<p>For more info, please call 707-459-1001 or visit www.myspace. com/mendonesiaca fe, where you can listen to songs of upcoming performers!</p>
<div class="ngg-related-gallery"><a href="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/willits_Ft_Bragg_Skunk/birthday ride 08 075.jpg" title="Cofee=good" rel="lightbox[Related images for Mendonesia Cafe]" ><img title="                               " alt="                               " src="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/willits_Ft_Bragg_Skunk/thumbs/thumbs_birthday ride 08 075.jpg" /></a>
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		<item>
		<title>Mann Ranch</title>
		<link>http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/mann-ranch/190/</link>
		<comments>http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/mann-ranch/190/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2009 23:00:12 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Cyclo-monger</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Bicycle Touring]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cycle Tours]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Private Campgrounds]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bicycle touring]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cycle touring]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mendocino County]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[private campgrounds]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/?page_id=190</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A tour of the Mann Ranch. First settled in 1905, this 1600 acre hilltop hacienda is a stunning spot to rest and take in the vista after the 1500 ft. climb up Orr Springs Rd. The high, bare knob at stands at the very crest of the Coast Range and about 30 miles from highway [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p id="top" />A tour of the Mann Ranch. First settled in 1905, this 1600 acre hilltop hacienda is a stunning spot to rest and take in the vista after the 1500 ft. climb up Orr Springs Rd. The high, bare knob at stands at the very crest of the Coast Range and about 30 miles from highway 1 and the Mendocino Coast. You can spend the night in the old A frame or ride on down the hill to Orr Hot Springs for a long soak and a night in their historic old cabins.</p>
<p>The family is looking towards recent history when, in the 60&#8217;s and 70&#8217;s Mann Ranch was the venue for widely attended conferences and chataquas conducted by the likes of Joseph Campbell and Carlos Casteneda. Plans are afoot to re-establish the site as a venue for future events.</p>

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	<h3>A place for breathing</h3>

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<p>Geo-tagged<br />
<div class="gm-map"><iframe name="gm-map-1" src="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress?geo_mashup_content=render-map&amp;map_content=single&amp;width=250&amp;height=250&amp;zoom=16&amp;background_color=c0c0c0&amp;object_id=190" height="250" width="250" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>[geo_mashup_category_name]<div id="gm-map-1-legend"></div></p>
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<a href="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/clearlake-loop/DSCF1548.jpg" title="This is the designated swimming ate at the park, but there was no one in the water. Could have been the sewage smell, could have been the huge mats of decomposing algae." rel="lightbox[Related images for Mann Ranch]" ><img title="" alt="" src="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/clearlake-loop/thumbs/thumbs_DSCF1548.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/main-ranch-road/DSCF1529-1.JPG" title="Yikes! You never know what you might find lurking in the grass" rel="lightbox[Related images for Mann Ranch]" ><img title="Funk-a-delic" alt="Funk-a-delic" src="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/main-ranch-road/thumbs/thumbs_DSCF1529-1.JPG" /></a>
<a href="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/clearlake-loop/DSCF1507.JPG" title="You just never know what you'll find out in the3 countryside if you're curious and brave." rel="lightbox[Related images for Mann Ranch]" ><img title="Bikers galore" alt="Bikers galore" src="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/clearlake-loop/thumbs/thumbs_DSCF1507.JPG" /></a>
<a href="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/pv-tk/DSCF1494.JPG" title="Ya know, Highway is a bit of a stretch, but next time I'm going to try and take it all the way to Hearst and not have to climb that dammned Forest Ridge" rel="lightbox[Related images for Mann Ranch]" ><img title="Ridgeway Highway?" alt="Ridgeway Highway?" src="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/pv-tk/thumbs/thumbs_DSCF1494.JPG" /></a>
<a href="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/purple_thistle/pt-006.jpg" title="" rel="lightbox[Related images for Mann Ranch]" ><img title="Outside looking in" alt="Outside looking in" src="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/purple_thistle/thumbs/thumbs_pt-006.jpg" /></a>
<a href="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/rda-bb-pv/DSCF1488.JPG" title="A digital zoom of a fire in the south hills of Ukiah, about 10 miles away" rel="lightbox[Related images for Mann Ranch]" ><img title="Fire with Lake Mendocino foreground" alt="Fire with Lake Mendocino foreground" src="http://www.emeraldempireadventures.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/rda-bb-pv/thumbs/thumbs_DSCF1488.JPG" /></a>
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