We were to leave in February, the year 1895, at a place named Arroyo La Cruz, situated at the mouth of the river or creek some 15 miles north of the little Sea Port town of San Simeon, Cal
When I reached the camp I found all was ready, they were only waiting for two or three boys to make -up the crew. I being one of them.
The camp was located at the mouth of the creek, in a [?] protected from the sea by a sand bar thrown up by the waves which ran parallel with the beach from bank to bank, this sand bar blocked up the mouth of the creek and the river water found its way to the ocean by sinking into the sand. This sinking or exit for the water was not enough to carry away the usual summer water brought down by the creek from the mountains, consequently this water backed up forming a large pond to the right of the camp ground. (previous year a dry year)
The camp while several feet lower than the sand barrier was probably 6 feet higher than the pond afording [affording] a beautiful spot for summer camping surrounded as it was, by this thick tangle willow grove interlaced with wild blackberry vines outside of the space cleared for camp purposes it was almost impossible to penitrate [penetrate] it. The wind might blow a gale outside, but our camp was as quiet as the inside of a house, warm and dry.
Supplies and all necessary articles for a three months trip had been purchased and stored in camp waiting to be loaded into our boats. Good weather was only lacking to make an attempt to get out. It being the rainy season and a storm threatening, we were caucious [cautious] and hesitating about getting away and it was lucky we were wise enough to heed the storm signs, for only a few days after my arrival, the storm broke with great violance [violence]. But during the few days previous to the coming of the storm we spent in organizing our boat and camp duties.
There were three boats to be manned by seven men. One large boat was decided on to carry 3 men, while the other two being much smaller carried 2 more each. These boats were the ordinary row boat, the largest being about 22 foot long and the other two 10 and 16 respectfully.
The owner of the boats was unanimously elected Captain. His knowledge of the sea, and the plan to be carried out while on a chase entitled him to the position and here I might add, that his authority was never once questioned on the entire trip, lasting four or fine months.
The position of the men being settled satisfactory to all, next came the loading of the boats. It was decided that it would be prudent to assign certain articles of camp luggage to boat so as to guard against an emergency. Each boat carried the belongings of the men manning her and such food as would sustain them for several days if it became necessary, the large boat carried all of the camp fixtures including a large wall tent which we found most comfortable on several occasions, but during the early summer months we discarded it intirely, [entirely] as a matter of fact, we seldom used it during the months of Feb. March and April, sleeping out under the stars unless as l say, during a storm, when it was very much appreciated. Now came the problems of arranging camp duty.
Some of the men were good outdoor cooks while others, though willing enough, had had very little experience and preferred other work if possible, but no other work was likely to occur while in camp, but cooking and such labor that usually is attached to the duties of a cook, so to show that no priviledges [privileges] was enduldged [indulged] in, every man was assigned to his work ashore as much as he was at sea.
It was finally planned that 2 boys would prepare dinner “as it is termed in the country” and supper for 1 week, then two more would assume the same duties for 1 week and so on. This would require 4 men as the rest were detailed, as follows: One fellow who always rose early and suggested it himself for the entire trip prepared breakfast, another for the trip washed and cleaned the camp dishes “which by the way were of the unbreakable kind,” tin dishes, still another boy did all the bread making, being supplied with a large stone jar of yeast, provided for by his mother, his baking days were Mondays and Thursdays unless we were at sea on those days then it was done the first day he had ashore.
His oven was the pioneer-Dutch oven and no better bread is made if made right, than by this method.
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