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 28, 2013

Caspar Logging Road

"When I was small I was very naughty and my father chased me with his belt to give me a thrashing.  Maybe that was how I got accustomed to running."  Fermin Cacho, 1992 Olympic 1500 Champion
Jughandle Cove


Another thank you to Fran, for bringing along another friend, Reba, for her second visit.  Fran is one of our best recruiters!  Also present today, Geri, Gay, Mark, Craig, Greg, Henry, Nancy B., Rick, Tonita, Bob, Don, John, Ginny, Terry, Neil (I think?), Kathy, Steve, Waldi, Joel, Melissa, Nichole, Pat, Leon, Nancy and Tom (27).

It was 51 and overcast at our start.  Coming back, the fog lowered and the breeze picked up.


Caspar Horses



I'm not sure about our starting point today, seemed like a long and straight uphill to me.  It does give us another option though and that's a good thing!

The  TUESDAY GROUP WALK is gaining momentum.  Two the first week, three last week and five expected for next Tuesday.  Come join in, get an hour of walking in and finish by 8:00 a.m.  It's a great way to start your day!

Coastal summer

Jughandle Beach and Bridge













 PHOTOS  BY J. LOOMIS





NEXT SUNDAY, AUG. 4TH @ 8:00 A.M.: BIG RIVER LOGGING ROAD (see "Our Routes" above.

EVERY TUESDAY @ 7:00 A.M. GROUP RUN/WAK: 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.




Sunday, July 21, 2013

MacKerricher Haul Road

This morning, we met at MacKerricher State Park.  It was an almost pleasant 53 degrees with some sunshine when we began our  walk/run but on the way back, the wind picked up and the fog came in,  no longer so pleasant.   But, all in all,  it was another great morning, with lots of friends to talk and walk/run  with.   Pat's husband, Leon, is back and it was nice to have him join us.  Along with Pat and Leon, we also had present:  Fran, Neil, Bob, Peter N., Nancy B., Rick, Bob J., Waldi, Randy E.,  Cheryl, Ginny, Terry, Kathy, Steve, Nancy T., Roger, Geri, Mike, Tonita, Cindy, Jim, Toni, Nancy and Tom (26).

TUESDAYS AT 7:00, GROUP WALKS, RUSSIAN GULCH STATE PARK.   See "Our Routes" above.  Several of our group are trying to get something going for Tuesday mornings at 7:00.   If you want to get another day of walking in and have it over with by 8:00 a.m., it would hard to find a better place to do it.  We've got runners on Tuesday, do we have any walkers?

John is out of town for the weekend but wanted to share these photos from MacKerricher a couple of days ago.  Thank you very much, John.

 

                      

 NEXT SUNDAY, JULY 28TH, @ 8:00 A.M.:  CASPAR LOGGING ROADS, PARKING AREA #1 (DUCK POND).  See "Our Routes" above.


EVERY TUESDAY @ 7:00 A.M., GROUP RUN/WALK: 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.,  GROUP RUN:VAN DAMME STATE PARK, beginning at the beach.

Sunday, July 14, 2013

JSF ROAD 450, Potluck Picnic

Can't blame John, for not "donating" a Fog Dodger photo for this morning, he was kind of busy.  So, I'm using an older photo that he donated, an old water wheel, that is in the woods near his house and near where we walked, ran and  had a wonderful Potluck Breakfast Picnic today.

Just after posting this blog, I went back to my email and found, guess what?, a photo from John and this note:

Hi Tom,
I have to Thank everyone for coming to my house and sharing the nice Sunday Brunch with family, friends, and walking and running group.
I appreciate everyone’s contribution, and the smiles and conversation most of all.
Oh, enclosed 2 mailboxes on Simpson Lane....
Say Ahhh.
John


Thank you to the Loomis', Barbara, Nick and John,  for a really beautiful, delicious and fun breakfast picnic.  From the ceramic flower vases, the flowers, the barbecue, tables and the site, all created by John, it was really nice!  Thanks to everybody, for all of the delicious foods.  Thanks to whoever is charge of the weather, for a great morning!

We were again happy to meet new people this morning and hope that they all choose to come again, as often as possible.   There was Ken, Don, and Waldi, welcome all.  Others present today, Nancy T., Roger, Charlene, Ron, Mike, Henry, Cheryl, Neil, Ginny, Terry, Randy E., Bob, Rod, Shari, Peter, Nancy B., Rick, Peter N., Gay, Mark, Toni, Pat, Fran, Tanya, Tonita, Joel, Nancy and Tom (32, of which 12 were runners!).

Two of our Fog Dodger walkers are planning to walk at Russian Gulch on Tuesday morning at 7:00.  They hope that it might become a regular thing.   Every once in awhile, we try to get something going amongst the walkers, we are again hoping that maybe some others want to get in another walk and have company while doing so.  7:00 is early, especially when the days get shorter, but it's a healthy start to productive day and you're all done by 8:00 !!


NEXT SUNDAY, JULY 21ST , BY REQUEST@ 8:00 A.M.: MACKERRICHER HAUL ROAD, see "Our Routes" above.

EVERY TUESDAY @ 7:00 A.M.: GROUP RUN/WALK, 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.: GROUP RUN/WALK, VAN DAMME STATE PARK, beginning at the beach.

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Potluck Breakfast Picnic

Sunday the 14th is our Potluck Breakfast Picnic at John's.  I ran and talked with John this morning and he's got things ready.   He's not asking me to say this but I think that I should.   He has rented a Porta Potty ($100) and I think that we all would like to make a small donation (not in the Porta Potty!) to
help out.  I'm going to set out a donation box or can.

For those that are still trying to figure out what they could bring that doesn't need cooking or rewarming, relax.  John says that his "very heavy duty" extension cord has multiple outlets so you should be able to heat or cook something.   What he doesn't have though, is a large griddle, so if someone would really like a pancake, bring batter and griddle (see "New info." below).  There will be a large charcoal grill/bar-b-que and also several range top burners in his tent trailer, which is parked at the picnic site.  Remember also, bring your own coffee carafe or juice and utensils.

Try to come, our potlucks are always fun and there will be plenty of food.  That reminds me, please take home any leftovers from the dish that you brought.  We don't want to end up discarding good food.

New info. as of 7/10,  John has found a large griddle so if you want to cook an egg or bacon, have at it!
Also, at our run/walk, I'll tell you where John's driveway is.  Once you get on his roadway, there are forks, just keep left anytime there is an option.  There is plenty of parking, as long as you pull well off the road, so as not to block other cars coming or going.  It's a very small roadway and it will have you wondering but if you go slow and carefully, you'll survive it.

NEXT SUNDAY, July 14th @ 8:00 A.M.:  Jackson State Forest Rd. 450, see "Our Routes" above. We will follow each other to John's place, which is nearby.

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.

Sunday, July 7, 2013

Big River Logging Road

Another great morning at Big River!  53 degrees, partly sunny/partly overcast, light breeze and unfortunately, mosquitoes!   Thank you, John, for the four photos today.

We had a new walker today, welcome Helen!  Also present:  Cheryl, Orah, Steve, Toni, Cheryl N., Neil, Nancy T., Roger, Nancy B., Rick, Bob, Joel, Ginny, Terry, Nichole, Melissa, Rod, John L., Fran, Dorothy, Pat, Gerri, Greg, Tom T., Shari, Peter, Nancy and Tom (29).

Next Sunday's Potluck Breakfast Picnic:  There will be very limited electrical service and John says that   there are several burners on his tent trailer's range top but it would be best if you can bring your food in one of those thermal carriers or a pan that can sit on the barbeque grill or bring something that doesn't require rewarming.  Also, bring your own service ware and coffee/drinks.  It's a picnic!  John has created a really nice little hole in the woods and I'm sure you'll like it.  It is just about a mile further east up Simpson Lane from where we will run and walk.  We can follow each other.  




 Nine of us went to David's Restaurant for breakfast afterwards.  I think that in the future, we should give some thought to our seating arrangements at restaurants.  It doesn't always work out well when we put several tables together.    We can only talk to those close to us anyway and by being in a large group, it often screws up the order for the chef, or for us.  I think that we might just try getting whatever tables we can, wherever they are, and make sure that none of our group gets left out.   I hope I'm not sounding too negative here, just thinking out loud, sort of.   I bet that it would make Kira or The Little River Inn happier with us.  They are all doing a great job in feeding us delicious breakfasts.



NEXT SUNDAY, JULY 14 @ 8:00 A.M.:  JACKSON STATE FOREST ROAD 450, (SIMPSON LANE), see "Our Routes" above.  POTLUCK BREAKFAST PICNIC FOLLOWING.

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.