MacKerricher Haul Road

Deja vu. It seemed like last Sunday all over again. I don't think I can keep saying that it was fun and retain any credibility. This morning, we were on the MacKerricher Haul Road and it was 47, which is 3 degrees colder than last Sunday, pretty gloomy and dark with rain falling steadily. The difference this morning, if any, was that we had to contend with the wind, which drove the rain right down to the skin.

Getting stars on their attendance reports this morning are: Toni, Randy F., Randy E., Johnny, Cindy, Jim, Fran, Charlene, Ron, Kim, John, Bob, Brad, Nancy and Tom (15). Nine of us enjoyed breakfast at The Laurel Deli in The Depot............... Ahhhh, what the heck, it was fun!

NEXT SUNDAY, Jan. 2nd, 2011 @ 8:00 A.M.: THE RON JAHELKA TRAIL, along Big River. See "Our Routes" above. Breakfast will be at David's Restaurant (so that I can hopefully join you after making my Annual Reserve America reservation challenge at 8:00 a.m.) I will appoint Johnny to be the Official Timekeeper, hope he's there.

EVERY TUESDAY @ 7:15 A.M.: RUSSIAN GULCH STATE PARK, beginning on Point Cabrillo Drive, 1/10 of a mile north of it's south end.

EVERY THURSDAY @ 7:15 A.M.: VAN DAMME STATE PARK, beginning at the beach.

Hare Creek, JSF Rd. 400

At 8:00 this morning, it was 50 degrees, pretty dark with the thick clouds over us and a light rain fell. It was as if we were school kids again, taking off down the hill, kicking rocks and jumping puddles. Present were: Melissa, Toni, Randy, John, Bob, Johnny, Nancy and Tom. It was fun, at least more so than not. Late in the hour it started coming down harder, kind of making us all look like drowned rats by the time we finished.

With towells and dry clothes we all seemed none the worse, as we were joined by Brad and Allen for breakfast at David's Restaurant (10).

Merry Christmas everybody!

NEXT SUNDAY, 12/26/10 @ 8:00 A.M.: MACKERRICHER HAUL ROAD (see "Our Routes" above), chosen because it's supposed to rain most of the next week so other trails will be pretty muddy and Whitesboro Grange might be too far for some on the day after Christmas. Oh, I'll miss the Grange folk.

EVERY TUESDAY @ 7:15 A.M.: RUSSIAN GULCH STATE PARK, beginning on Point Cabrillo Drive, 1/10 of a mile north of it's south end.

EVERY THURSDAY @ 7:15 A.M.: VAN DAMME STATE PARK, beginning at the beach.

JSDF Rd. 450 / Potluck and Cookie Exchange

Johnny was almost correct, Rd. 450 "should have time to dry out" from the midweek rains but it didn't quite make it. It was a little sticky, muddy and even slippery in some spots but generally nice. The weather was just perfect for a walk or run in the forest, 52, overcast and calm. It was a great morning to be out.

I want to plead with everyone to check this blog early in the week so that you'll know what's going on in the next week or two. I know that it's not as personal as the old method of receiving an e-mail but on the other hand, it's so easy to do when it's "Bookmarked" on your internet browser. I say this because I think a few people didn't make it to the potluck today and it could be because they didn't check the blog until the last minute??? Just wondering out loud here. I really want all Fog Dodgers to remain with the group. It's healthy and it's fun!

The blog format makes keeping an e-mail address list unnecessary, allows substitute authors more easily, will in the future, make it easier for out of town people to find and join us, allows comments and photos, etc., etc. I too prefer the way the e-mail format reads but this is for the best, let's make it work! I welcome your comments and they're easy to post.

What some people missed today was an absolutely fabulous house, potluck breakfast and cookie exchange. Our thanks go to Mark and Gay, Mark's mom, Christine and Gay's mom and dad, Nathalie and Harry, for opening up their most beautiful home to us and to all who brought or cooked the fantastic foods and desserts. We all had a really wonderful time. Thank you Mark and Gay!

Cindy and Jim set a record today. They brought their 3 children, Jeff, Holly and Adam and their spouses and friends, Michelle, Ed, Tina, Dana and Mike. That's a family of 10 folks! Thanks, Cindy and Jim. Also present today, Brad, Johnny, Tanya, Brent, John, Bob, Deb, Sam, Nancy B., Rick, Maddelyn, Scott, Pat, Fran, Nancy T., Roger, Orah, Steve, Suzi, Nancy and Tom (36).

NEXT SUNDAY,12/19/10 @ 8:00 A.M.: HARE CREEK, J.S.F. ROAD 400, Gravel Pit Road, (see "Our Routes" above). Yes, Nancy and Roger T., you'll have to do it again.

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

EVERY THURSDAY @ 7:00 A.M.: VAN DAMME STATE PARK, beginning at the beach.

Caspar Logging Road

It was a beautiful, almost muggy and unusually warm December day on the Caspar Logging road and surrounding trails - a nice respite from the recent rains. I was surprised just how dry the trails were.

It was around 52F when Larry T. and I left the house to be greeted at the Caspar Logging Road by John, Bob, Gay, Mark, Randy, Roger, Nancy, Orah, Steve, Maddelyn, Scott, Neil, and Cheryl (15). Eight of us went for breakfast at David's Deli.

NEXT WEEK, Gay reminded me we are due for our annual Cookie Exchange and potluck. This short notice should ensure that all the cookies are freshly made. Seriously, they needn't be fancy, folks. Roger and Nancy asked me if there were any rules, and yes, there is ONE RULE: You take home an equal amount of cookies as you bring. That's the only rule we've ever needed.

So, after the run/walk, bring your cookies and a breakfast dish to share over to Gay & Mark's home, as they have graciously offered to host (out Pearl Ranch Road). Gay says she will fire up the waffle irons, so there's should be plenty for all.

NEXT SUNDAY, December 12, 2010 @ 8 AM: Let's try the Jackson State Forest Road 450. Looking at the extended forecast, it should have time to dry out from the projected mid-week rains. See "Our Routes" above.

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.