POMO CANYON — They left their warm beds, their electronic gadgetry and, in at least one case, a fear of snakes behind to brave a night outdoors — the call of nature overpowering the din of noisy, city life.
For some of the more than 60 participants — residents of the North Bay and nearby — the group campout in a redwood canyon near the Sonoma Coast was a first-time adventure. They learned to set up loaner tents and slept on the ground in borrowed bags.
Others had some limited experience with camping, fostering new family traditions from a desire to have their children learn about the world around them.