I got there a bit after 6pm and the ranger drove by a few minutes later while I was taking a few picts of the backlit tree branches overhanging the river. So I asked her that I'd heard I get one free camping night, and she said yes. After a long pause I asked her "so how do I invoke that?" She said, I can do it right here if you have your card. "Good" I said. (Don't know why she was so reluctant to begin with, though later she asked me rather pointedly whether I had any problems with mosquitoes because there are a lot flying around, and after I told her I had bug spray and could retreat to the tent if necessary, she told me she just had another camper demand a refund because of the mosquitoes, and I responded that that type of person would have found another reason to try for the refund. She then asked me if I had any dogs or cats, I said "just my very active camera".
Anyway, the mosquitoes were pretty bad, but with the sun still up I took the path under the road, past the walk-in campgrounds (one was occupied) up to the parking area of the day-use area. "How's your camera?" I heard, Turned around, it was the ranger picking up litter. "It wants to get to Gualala Point for the sunset. And this is my mosquito protection" I said pointing to the green parka I had put on. The sunset turned out to be rather bland. I walked back via the road as it got dark.
Sorted my stuff this morning (will need another iteration to get it all settled more compactly, had to ask for change to take a shower, walked to the campground host, saying hi to c couple walking a very skittish littile black dog with no tail. Called out "anyone home?" at the trailer and the couple I had passed responded "can I help you?" "yes, I need quarters." I hadn't recognized her without her uniform. As she went back to the trailer her dog pulled on it's leash and looked at me the whole time rather suspiciously.
I got going at 10am, got gas & coffee in Gualala, made a few more stops along the road, getting to Navarro River Beach by noon. Took my camera for an hour walk along the river & beach, then another walk from a turnoff in the Navarro Redwoods, getting some good picts of Ginger, and a few oterhs I can't remember the name of.
The I headed to Ukia, where I'm at the library that's closed but they're having a book sale, so I guess I better get shopping for a book now.
Will continue later.
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