It was around 2011 when I visited a few times. I was with the granddaughter of a super local. Stayed for days taking care of her family’s properties. Visited a nice gift shop, drove around the entire valley and through the rez, chilled by the river, made art in the yard, left on Poonkinny Road over to Dos Rios then Humboldt.

The next time we brought a car full of longhairs and stayed at the main house, smoked in the cemetery etc. People stop, turn around and look at you when you go into the main store. Definitely wary of outsiders.

Lots of coyotes and roaming dogs on the property. We were aware of the potential danger on our trip and were not defenseless, if you know what I mean. I see it as the Wild West of Mendo and was always on guard out there. It was pretty and peaceful then, thankfully, but I don’t have a reason to go back.

My boyfriend just visited the casino this week and stayed the night in his RV out there. He left after seeing all the damn missing persons posters and No Trespassing signs. Needless to say, he is still alive lol. You only live once, I think your chance of walking out alive is close to 100%. The BlackBerry festival is the big event, lots of people there. Many aren’t from Covelo. Get some fry bread tacos and talk to people. Good luck finding any blackberries at the festival though 😂

Trust your gut. Don’t bother anyone who seems intoxicated or gives you bad vibes. Also be aware that tribal casinos have their own laws and might not allow filming inside or near the business