A few years ago a group of us celebrated a sabbath evening at Pomo Campground on Willow Creek Road. Someone asked me to write an account of the 'event' and this is what emerged.

The Song of Chiamwatha
by sd (hawkeye) gross

By the shores of the Big Ocean
'round the turn from the Tandoori
lay the scenic Willow Creek Road
leading to old Occidental
first you pass the ranger's quarters
see the hawk and osprey hunt there
on the hill the sheep are grazing
in the cattails rails are hiding
then you pass what once was Baxman's
near the fence that Lenny's team built
wood ducks swim beyond near mallards
in the marshy pond that hides there
high above the redtails guide us
toward the campground known as Pomo
cost you two bucks park your car there
(fill out form drop cash in box there)
Up the trail Bubba is waiting
sitting there with Squaw Natasha
(she'd kick my butt but knows I'm kidding!)
the River Jews are celebrating
summer Shabbas in the Redwoods
ancient spirits here await us
soon the people start arriving
Karen with her lovely children
Elliot in cap and tank top
Wally Kass and even Edward
and I think I see four Perlmans
Bubba once more shows he's thoughtful
brings along his green wheelbarrow
gives us all relief from schlepping
bags of food down woodland trail
Then a group of us go hiking
up the trail through fern and redwood
toward Wright's Beach some six miles distant
lush with wondrous vegetation
dappled groves awash in breezes
dusky sunset comes a creeping
climb the hill and see the ocean
kiss the mouth of Russian River
its hundred-mile journey now ended
soon we tire (or grow hungry)
time for noshing, lighting candles
by and by we're all returning
where the food and picnic tables
and our patient friends are waiting
soon we hikers have arrived there
all except our choir member
stalked by herds of hungry Kugel
Eliot finally makes entrance
Soon the Hebrew songs we're singing
Shabbas candles glow in twilight
some folks wonder what we're doing
(the woods are full of puzzled Gentiles)
then comes best part of the evening
Karen slices up her challah
freshly baked so aromatic
it's the best I've ever tasted
now we're noshing, drinking, shmoozing
enjoying Shabbas with other Jews in
homes and forests, plains and deserts
even condos in Miami
feeling warm we're soon departing
thanking Pomo kindred spirits
for their kindness in absentia
Yes, we all enjoyed the evening
sorry if you couldn't be there
(but you were - you just didn't know it)
That's what happened - thanks for listening