NAVARRO RIDGE ROAD

A nice change in the weather greeted us this morning. We have been having  cold and very damp fog along the coast lately, so much so that I even had to light the wood stove yesterday. Of course, that made it too warm last night for sleeping, even with my bedside window wide open. But this morning was beautiful! It was 53 degrees, calm and cloudy and the humidity seemed very low, perfect for our run and walk.
Thanks, John for the pictures. First one, a barn (click on the picture, there is a barn) on Navarro Ridge and the second, a view of Albion Bay from the Hwy. 1 Bridge.

Two new persons again this week, Suzanne and Henry, welcome! Also present were: John L., Charlene, Ron, Fran, Gay, Mark, Ginny, Terry, Tanya, Nancy B., Rick, Nancy T., Roger,  Nancy and Tom (17).

NEXT SUNDAY, Sept. 2nd @ 8:00 A.M.: HARE CREEK, JSF ROAD 400 (Gravel Pit Road start) See "Our Routes" above. This road is a fairly steep downhill at the start and yes, uphill at the finish. It is a State Forest Road, scenic and dog friendly.

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

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

Big River Logging Road

This morning, we met at Big River. I would say that it was a very successful run/walk, meaning that nobody fell down! It was 51 degrees, calm and overcast at our start and it was really nice to meet two new runners, and Fort Bragg residents, Ginny and Terry. Also present: Nancy T., Roger, John L., Bob, Nancy B., Rick, Jan, Marc, Toni, Gay, Mark, Cindy, Jim, Charlene, Ron, Neil, Steve, Fran (showed up at the Health Club, sorry), Shari, Peter, Nancy and Tom (24). Thank you, John, for the beautiful flower photos. I hear that the dahlias are about at their prime at the Botanical Gardens and we're going there today.

 Kira has been doing such a good job at David's Restaurant, and it has become so popular, there's was a wait to get in the door. Neverless, 10 of us went there, persevered, and had a great breakfast.

We have not gone to Navarro Ridge Road since April. It was mentioned today and I think it's time to go again. It's only a few miles further so I hope that does not deter some of you. It does have one of our favorite Pancake Breakfast and some beautiful countryside and canyon vistas.

NEXT SUNDAY, Aug. 26th @ 8:00 A.M.: Navarro Ridge Road. See "Our Routes" above.
EVERY TUESDAY @ 7:00 A.M.: RUSSIAN GULCH STATE PARK, beginning on Point Cabrillo Drive, 1/10 of a mile north of its south end.

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

But wait!!!

Just found out, we cannot use the A&W Haul Road yet. This is due to legal actions between The City of Fort Bragg and Hawthorne or Campbell Timber taken just this week. To take the easy way out of this, I'm electing to redo Big River Logging Road again, and this time I'm not going to fall down!

NEXT SUNDAY, Feb. 19th @ 8:00 A.M.: Big River Logging Road. See "Our Routes" above.

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

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

Big River

Where's the Bacon John?

It's amazing what some people will do to get out of writing a blog. Here's me thinking that Tom would be back at the helm today. For those that weren't there, once again, Tom hurled himself at the path and gained himself a dislocated finger and five stiches in his chin. I'm glad to report that he's doing fine and nearly made it to breakfast (apparently Tom and Nancy just missed us at David's). I'm told Tom, that eating bacon really helps with balance!

Today was a bit more characteristic of our summer weather than what we've been experiencing this year - foggy and a cool 50°. However, by the end of the walk it was warming up and the fog lifting and by the time those who went to breakfast were finished - it was clear blue skies. We had a nice turnout today, with a guest - another Brit, Graham from New Jersey, who turned out to be a great runner. Why another Brit? Well of course there's me, but also we had Sean and Sabine with us, two more Brits who are fortunate enough to be spending a year in Fort Bragg. Our complete line up today was Bob, John, Charlene, Toni, Pat, Leon, Tom, Nancy, Rick, Nancy B, Sean, Sabine, Graham, Roger and Nancy T. As usual, thanks John for the photos.

Next week we're going to return to the A/W Haul Road. This has been off our regular walks for some time since a gate was put in place. However, we've been assured by Marie Jones, Fort Bragg's Community Development Director that there is a prescribed easement along this road and we are legally allowed to walk it. In fact, they are required to add a pedestrian, bike and equestrian access gate next to the existing motor vehicular gate. Until the new pedestrian gate is in place, we can access the haul road via a path to the west of the health club - a few hundred yards to the east of the Police station. There's ample parking, so we can meet in there.

NEXT SUNDAY, August 19th @ 8:00 A.M.: The A/W Haul road. See comments above. Meet in the Redwood Health Club car park. See our routes (map has been updated).

EVERY TUESDAY @ 7:00 A.M.: RUSSIAN GULCH STATE PARK, beginning on Point Cabrillo Drive, 1/10 of a mile north of its south end.
EVERY THURSDAY @ 7:00 A.M.: VAN DAMME STATE PARK, beginning at the beach.

Ten Mile River

 Strange morning.  It was warm (60°), foggy but bright, almost a light drizzle, no wind and humid.  I guess the extra journey to Ten Mile might have detered some of the group as we only had 9 this morning.  They were Neil, Nancy B, Rick, Toni, Larry, Joel John, Roger and Nancy T.  It was great to see Rick back out on the trail.

 With only one response to my question last week about resuming the A&W/Georgia Pacific Logging Road, I was all set to take this as a yes.  However, I didn't select this route for next week, as during this morning's walk I was persuaded that I probably shouldn't take this British cavalier approach!  Oh well, Tom will hopefully be back next week and take on the stress of these momentous decisions.

Once again, thanks to John for these photos he took this morning. Four of us had a great breakfast at David's, where the food and the service have got to be consistently top notch - thanks Kira.


NEXT SUNDAY, DATE @ 8:00 A.M.:BIG RIVER ROAD (a.k.a. The Ron Jahelka Ttrail)
EVERY TUESDAY @ 7:00 A.M.: RUSSIAN GULCH STATE PARK, beginning on Point Cabrillo Drive, 1/10 of a mile north of its south end.
EVERY THURSDAY @ 7:00 A.M.: VAN DAMME STATE PARK, beginning at the beach.