The Fog Dodgers invite all residents and visitors of the Mendocino Coast to join us on our weekly group runs and walks. We have runners and walkers of all abilities (and even some bikers) and we have only one "rule" - we start at exactly 8:00 a.m. on Sundays. Exercise at your own pace (1/2 hour out, 1/2 hour back) and experience the fresh Mendocino coastal air.

Fog Dodgers provides a fun, safe way to explore some of our local trails and back roads and to meet new friends. You can find out where we're going to be by reading the bottom of last week's post, then clicking on the "Our Routes" tab above. We average 15-20 persons each Sunday and typically half will go to breakfast together afterwards at a nearby restaurant.

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Sunday, July 25, 2010

At 57F and just a little breeze, it was beautiful morning out among the trees of the Caspar logging road area, for walkers, runners, and bicyclists. Things finally seem to be drying up a bit, but with that comes more dust, too. Where there had been small lakes, I still found a few puddles out on the single track trails. Though it takes a bit more to get out to this venue, it is a great one for the lack of traffic, ample parking, and varying routes. It's also dog-friendly. If you haven't made the trek out here, you should definitely try it sometime.

This morning was well attended, including Joel, Ron, Charlene, Cindy, Peter, Melissa, John, Nancy B., Randy, Toni, Mark, Gay, Orah, Steve, JoAnne, Kathee, Nancy T., Roger, Scott, Maddelyn, Deb, Bob and Johnny (23). Brad met about half of us at David's Deli, where things seem to be back to usual.

NEXT SUNDAY, August 1, 2010 @ 8 AM:  By request, let's go back to the beautiful trails of Jackson State Forest Road 450, up Simpson Lane. See the "Our Routes" tab above for directions, and everyone call Tanya to remind her.

EVERY TUESDAY @ 7 AM:
RUSSIAN GULCH STATE PARK, beginning on Point Cabrillo Drive, 1/10 of a mile north of its south end.

EVERY THURSDAY @ 7 AM:
VAN DAMME STATE PARK, beginning at the beach.

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Sunday, July 18, 2010

This morning, we ran, walked and biked the MacKerricher Haul Road. We had at least (I hope I didn't miss somebody!) eight guests. Joel brought his brother, John, and Cindy and Jim brought five friends: Lynne, Terri, Jay, Barbara and Paul. Then, Roger and Nancy T. brought her daughter, Julie and grand-son, Logan. Also present were: Fran, Charlene, Melissa I., Bob, John, Johnny, Brad, Maddelyn, Scott, Orah, Steve, Hector, Joyce, Gay, Mark, Peter, Nancy and Tom (31).

We were rewarded with a perfect morning, 53 degrees, light breeze and partial sun. John Loomis caught this photo at MacKerricher last week on a similar day.



We all had a great morning! Afterwards, 19 of us had a really nice breakfast at The Laurel Deli at The Depot.

NEXT SUNDAY, 7/25/10, 8:00 A.M., GROUP RUN/WALK/BIKE, CASPAR LOGGING ROAD, see "Our Routes" above.

TUESDAYS, 7:00 A.M., Group Run/Walk, RUSSIAN GULCH STATE PARK.

THURSDAYS, 7:00 A.M., Group Run/Walk, VAN DAMME STATE PARK.

Remember, you can always (24x7) dial the message phone to double check on run locations, 964-9348.

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Sunday, July 11, 2010

This morning, we ran and walked around the South Fork of the Noyo River, on Jackson State Forest Roads 300, 350, 360 and 330 (Johnny, did you really say that? I know that road does go straight up......). Anyway, we were all around the Noyo River Egg Collecting Station. It was a beautiful morning, about 51 degrees at the start, under clear blue and calm skies. John got a really nice photo of the connector bridge between Rds. 300 and 350:



We had a nice potluck (Continental?) breakfast afterwards and played some killer Washer Toss games! Mark, you still lead 12-11 and it's your turn!

Present were: Johnny, Gay, Mark, Fran, Cheryl, Neil, John, Nancy, Tom and it was nice to have a new member, Peter (10). By the way, please read Peter's comment at the end of last week's blog. There have been mid-week walkers in the past and now you have another chance to get something going.

Another BTW, Brad had lunch at David's this week and was talking with the owner, Michelle. Michelle had heard about our visit there last Sunday and feels really bad that things didn't go all that smoothly. Folks, this probably was a little our problem and a little the restaurant's problem. As a very nice gesture though, Michelle would like to give any of you that were there last Sunday a coupon, please mention it at the counter.

NEXT SUNDAY, 7/19/10, 8:00 A.M., GROUP RUN/WALK/BIKE, MACKERRICHER HAUL ROAD, see "Our Routes" above.

TUESDAYS, 7:00 A.M., Group Run/Walk, RUSSIAN GULCH STATE PARK, beginning on Point Cabrillo Drive, 1/10 of a mile north of it's south end.

THURSDAYS, 7:00 A.M., Group Run/Walk, VAN DAMME STATE PARK, beginning at the beach.

Remember, you can always (24x7) dial the message phone to double check on run locations, 964-9348.

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Sunday, July 4th, 2010

Couldn't have asked for a prettier morning! We ran and walked the A&W Logging Road along the Noyo River. It was 50 degrees, sunny and calm. It will be a real test for me this morning, to see if I saw everyone and can remember it, my apologies if I miss you. Johnny brought a friend Travis and a regular guest, Allen. Scott brought a friend, John and Maddelyn. Also present were: Brad, Charlene, Joyce, Fran, Nancy B., Rick, Joel, Kim, Adeline, Brian, Neil, Orah, Steve, Cindy, Jim, Nancy T., Roger, Nancy and Tom (25).

I'm think that we overwhelmed David's Restaurant this morning, as 19 of us entered at once and kind of took over the place. There were no winners, not us, not the waitress, nor the cook. The bacon was still excellent though and I hope there are no hard feelings by anyone. I think that short of having advanced reservations for our group (almost impossible), our best breakfasts come when we fend for ourselves, such as next week.

NEXT WEEK, POT LUCK BREAKFAST AT THE NOYO RIVER EGG COLLECTING STATION.

Sunday, July 11th, 8:00 a.m., Group Run/Walk/Bike, Noyo River Egg Station, Jackson State Forest Road 350. It's great for walking, biking and running. There are two picnic tables there (about 20 yards apart). If you have a folding chair, you'd probably like to bring it along. Besides whatever food/snack item that you bring, also bring your own service and whatever beverage you like. We ran short on coffee last year so if you drink coffee, please bring a thermos or carafe. We'll provide cream and sugar for the coffee drinkers.

Last year, the morning was a little cool and a camp fire felt good. If this year promises to be the same, I'll bring firewood. There will be Washer Toss to play, lots of good food and lots of fun!

Allow 20 minutes driving time from the junction of Highways One and 20. Go east 5.9 miles on Hwy. 20, turn left onto Jackson State Forest Road 350, there's a fork near the beginning, stay to the right and then take the rocked dirt road 3 miles to the bottom and the river. You can't miss the picnic area and Egg Collecting Station. A couple of sections of the road are dusty so I wouldn't follow my friend too closely.

TUESDAYS, 7:00 A.M., Group Run/Walk, RUSSIAN GULCH STATE PARK, beginning on Point Cabrillo Drive, 1/10 of a mile north of it's south end.

THURSDAYS, 7:00 A.M., Group Run/Walk, VAN DAMME STATE PARK, beginning at the beach.