Monday, November 14, 2011

Tis the Season

Planning for 2012 is well underway at LFK Headquarters.


Each year in November, we review our business plan and plan our upcoming year. For 2012 we are expanding some of our Mendocino Coast kayaking programs and creating new fun learning opportunities.


For 2012, we are excited to announce our Mendocino Waves and Caves Weekends. This weekend of rock gardening and sea cave kayaking fun is fashioned after the infamous Los Arboritos Whitewater Kayak Weekend that Jeff Laxier and Greg Knight used to lead for Aqua Adventures. Those that have paddled both Mendo and Arbo describe Mendo as "Arbo on steroids." Don't miss out - space is limited so register early to guarantee your spot.



Our Sunday Paddles are expanding for 2012 to include First Sunday Estuary Paddles, Second Sunday Sea Kayak Coastal Exploration, and Third Sunday Sea Kayak Rock Garden Exploration and Play. These paddles are guided by both Cate and Jeff and will run monthly April through September/October and are only $40/person.
Barb loves buffer zones.

In February, we are teaming up with Sierra Rescue to offer a Wilderness First Aid Course on the Mendocino Coast. Prevention, prevention, prevention is our motto, but it is good to know what to do when a medical emergency arises.

Whitewater river kayaking season is coming be sure to check out our line-up of whitewater kayaking classes for this winter on the rivers of Mendocino County.


Speaking of the season - give the gift of adventure this holiday season
. We are offering special deals on Liquid Fusion Kayaking gift certificates for you to share with your family and friends. Choose from dry and mild or wet and wild or call us to make a custom gift certificate.

FUN, FUN, FUN - well all the computer and office time isn't so much fun, but we are very excited about sharing our 2012 adventures.

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Mushroom Paddles

They're HERE!!!

Our Mendocino mushroom season is in full swing just in time for the Mendocino Wine and Mushroom Festival.

Mendocino County is a hot spot for wild mushrooms. In the fall of 2007, a couple of our mountain biking friends gave the wild mushroom hunting bug to Jeff and I. We started learning the most common and easily identifiable choice edibles - hedgehogs and chantrelles.

In the fall of 2008, we were paddling the Noyo River and admiring the wild mushrooms when the idea of hosting mushroom paddles was born. We had been learning more about wild mushrooms by going on mushroom walks at the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens. We thought it would be fun to share our knowledge of mushrooms, kayaking, and the Noyo River.

We continued going on Mushroom walks and learning from our friends. For Christmas, Jeff got me David Arora's books Mushrooms Demystified and All that Rain Promises. I couldn't put the books down and ended up taking a semester course in at College of the Redwoods on Mushrooms of the North Coast. When mushroom season hits, our house became a science lab with counters and walls decorated with spore prints and drying samples. Most meals involve fresh mushrooms from the forest.
We are now heading into our 3rd fall of Mushroom Paddles on the Noyo River. We don't consider ourselves experts, but we sure do know a lot about our local wild mushrooms. Our tours have evolved into an on land mushroom ecology and identification lesson followed by a paddle on the river looking for wild mushrooms and enjoying fall scenery and migratory birds.

Each year has show us different weather patterns and different mushrooms on the Noyo. What mushrooms will we find on the river this year? Mushroom Paddles are November 5,6, and 12 so we will soon see.

Mushroom identification and wildlife watching by kayak on the Noyo River in Fort Bragg, CA.