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February 8, 2004:
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We'll start the day at 8:30 a.m. at Camp Costonoa, a combination hotel/posh campground across the street from Año Nuevo for a fireside talk in the main lounge with Patricia Morris, the associate director of the University of California's Año Nuevo Reserve. (The reserve is a nearby island off limits to the public.) Morris has studied elephant seals for years, and will provide a talk that complements those provided by state park docents during the walk. Coffee, hot chocolate and hot cider will be provided, and those with tours starting later in the morning can linger by the fireside. Morris will also remain after her talk for informal conversations. The lounge is reserved for NCSWAns between 8:30 and 11. A general store on the site that opens at 8:30 a.m. sells deli food, muffins, etc.
The extremely popular elephant seal tours sell out quickly to the public, and we have 50 openings for tours starting in the morning at 9:15, 9:45, 10:15 and 11. The walks are three miles and take about 2.5 hours. After the walks, participants can return to Costanoa for a lunch from the store, or head out on their own along the coast.
Cost: $7.50 for both adults and children.
Parking: Parking is free at Costanoa, and $4 per car at Año Nuevo. Participants can also carpool to Año Nuevo from Costanoa.
Overnight lodging, ranging from about $100 to $155 a night (breakfast included), is available at Costanoa for anyone wishing to avoid an early morning drive. However, they've agreed to give a 15 percent discount to NCSWAns who make a room reservation by January 26, and 10 percent on all rooms thereafter. (FYI - They're also offering 50 percent off all rooms on Friday, Feb. 6, if anyone wants to make a weekend of it.) Their number is (650) 879-1100. Their web site is www.costano.com.
HOW TO SIGN UP: Act fast! This event is expected to sell out quickly. Please DO NOT RSVP VIA EMAIL. You need to send a check to reserve your spot. Members can bring up to three guests. With your check, SEND YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS. This is essential for notifying you to confirm your reservation, and for coordination in advance of the event.
Please feel free to specify a time preference. However, slots will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis, so there's no guarantee that you'll get the time requested. (If all openings are sold out when your check arrives, your check will be promptly returned.
Send your checks, payable to NCSWA, to:
NCSWA c/o Suzanne Bohan
If you have any questions, please feel free to send
me an email to Suzanne at sbohan@stanfordalumni.org. Hope to see you
on the 8th!
