A glimpse of the deck and cockpit of ‘Suddenly’, our 1978 Hunter 25 sailboat.

Suddenly is the name of our new sailboat, a 1978 Hunter 25 docked at a convenient slip in the Berkeley Marina. The boat is aptly named, for like so many things worth the wait, no matter how well-reasoned and researched the quest, the decision to take the plunge often happens quite suddenly. We’ll be using her as an urban extension of the wowhaus studio, as a family sailing lab for excursions on the Bay and into the Delta, a place to meet with friends and clients and as a tiny apartment for the occasional overnight.

The cabin is ample but minimal, and sleeps five in spartan comfort.

Most significantly, Suddenly will function as a kind of muse for the wowhaus studio and our ever-increasing range of work in art and design in the public sphere. As we continue to build out our studio compound on the rural Sonoma Coast, our over-lapping projects require a near constant flow of new ideas. Experience has taught us that in order to maintain focus and to keep things fresh and fun, sometimes innovation requires a muse.

Tagged: aesthetics, deep craft, innovation, sailing, scott Constable, wowhaus

We launched our boats in a lingering morning fog.

Some days just call for a picnic, and some picnics call for adventure. So went my thinking when I invited my friend Cal to join me on my favorite six mile paddle down Estero Americano to a remote beach on an unseasonably warm day in late February. Like so many intrepid leaps into what lies beyond, ours began at the end of a dirt road, where we launched our boats in a lingering morning fog.

The rugged shore at the mouth of the Estero, looking towards Bodega Head.

The day warmed as the fog lifted and the slough opened up. We bucked a strong headwind on the last leg and beached our boats to find the waterway’s mouth closed to the Pacific despite the high tide. Finding shelter from the wind in the dunes, we spread our picnic on scraps of driftwood and enjoyed a delicious repast of boiled duck eggs, salami with cheese, olives and walnut bread, finished off with apples and strong tea with honey. Weary from the long paddle, we laid on our backs in the sand and watched the gulls drift by in the wind and a solo hawk hover uncannily still.

We used our paddles as sails on the journey home.

With a strong wind at our backs on the voyage home, we were able to use our paddles as sails for long stretches. Our plan was to find a protected cove on the way to stop to try a little drawing and painting, but the wind was too persistent so we opted for an early return.  I look forward to breaking out the art supplies next time, but was happy enough to have the company of an old friend on real picnic adventure.

Tagged: cal peternell, california coast, estero americano, picnic adventure, scott Constable, sonoma coast

Sure enough, I saw a few egret and chased a flock of bufflehead six miles to the coast when I paddled the navigable length of Estero Americano the other day, but saw no sign of coot, loon, mergenser, pelican, scaup, hawk, heron or grebe. The fact is mid-February is a relatively dormant time along the Sonoma Coast despite the recent fair weather and early arrival of spring, and most migrations have been made.

With a light wind at my back on the outbound journey, I tested my paddling skills for a while by trying to sneak up on a floating flock of bufflehead a few hundred yards off my bow. They’d inevitably start, take off to windward and fly overhead before circling around for a water landing about a quarter mile further down the slough. With no other diversions I teased the birds for a few miles until the Estero opened up and I took a break from paddling to just drift on the current I felt tugging the boat as I neared the shore on the outgoing tide. I was sailing now, and shifted my gaze to the water itself, which seemed motionless, my boat in sync with wind and tide.

Knowing I’d have a tough return paddle, I spent the remaining outbound leg drifting, thoughtlessly steering the boat and staring at the water, lost in a reverie of pure boredom. I let myself be hypnotized by the stillness of the water, the boat’s gentle bobbing and the slowly amplifying fade of pounding surf as I neared the beach.

It’s a rare delight to find oneself in a state of genuine boredom these days, and I had forgotten how it frees the mind. After drifting for about an hour, I found I could generate mild hallucinations by staring out at the water with unfocused eyes. The constant motion of glassy waves reflecting the surrounding land and sky animated my daydreaming, like falling asleep but remaining awake. It’s kind of funny to rediscover boredom while seeking stimulation, but refreshing to know it’s still possible; Destination: Boredom, an apt motto for exciting times.

I was greeted by some curious cattle upon my return to the flats where I launched.

Tagged: aesthetics, birding, california coast, deep craft, estero americano, phenology, scott Constable, sonoma coast

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Tagged: deep craft, sand pattern, sonoma coast

Simple ingredients that pack easily and combine well make for an ideal picnic.

As much as I love to cook, some of my favorite meals are simple assemblages, preferably packed as a picnic for a day of hiking or paddling. Nothing tastes better than a few simple ingredients carefully chosen to complement the season and the destination.

Beginning by the coast where Willow Creek drains to the Russian River, Ene and I hiked inland along the marshes that flank the stream, making our way up to where willow, cattail and cottonwood give way to oak and bay. We found an abandoned barn and spread our larder of goat cheese, smoked salmon, walnut baguette, radishes and cress, finished off with steaming hot tea and dried apricots. We sat in the sun listening to the creek gather itself, Ene cut some willow’s catkin and we made our return, energized by the tea and our delicious picnic at Willow Creek.

Cattails and willow grow in abundance in marshes flanking Willow Creek.

An abandoned barn is the perfect hiking destination for a picnic.

My Swedish military backpack has plenty of room for picnic gear and spare clothes.

Tagged: california coast, picnic, sonoma coast, willow creek, wowhaus

portion of a diorama of 19th century Calistoga, at Calistoga’s Sharpsteen Museum

California place names often have colorful origins and Calistoga is no exception. Founded as a spa resort in the late 19th century by the visionary San Francisco millionaire Samuel Brannan, the name of the town comes from his famous drunken mis-fire, “I’m going to make this the Calistoga of Sarifornia” (meant as, “the  Saratoga of California”). Blessed with abundant natural hot springs, excellent weather and easy access to both the Napa Valley and Clear Lake, the town is well situated for vacation.

We’ve been taking the waters at Calistoga Spa Hot Springs a few times a year since we moved to California 20 years ago. It’s an old-school, family-oriented place where you’re likely to hear Russian, Polish and Japanese spoken in any of the soaking tubs any time of day throughout the year. People come here for the healing waters, period. After our most recent visit, we spent time in the town’s most excellent Sharpsteen Museum, founded by Ben Sharpsteen, the Academy Award-winning Disney animator. Filled with beautifully crafted dioramas, artifacts and historic exhibits telling the story of Calistoga, the museum is well worth a visit and sets a high standard for small town museums.

photo of an original cottage from Calistoga’s early days as a spa resort

Tagged: calistoga, disney, samuel brannan, sharpsteen museum, vernacular architecture