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, March 29, 2015

CASPAR LOGGING ROADS

It was a little chilly this morning, but not too bad.  We met at "the scales" on J.S.F. Road 500.  It was 42 degrees under bright blue and calm skies.

Caspar Sunrise, J. Loomis photo
Thanks, Charlene, for bringing your d-i-l, Amber.  Amber has been here before.  Also present today:  Nancy T., Roger, Nancy B., Jennifer, Donna, Melissa, Katie, Cyd, Cindy, Jim, Greg, Gay, Mark, Tom T., Joe, John, Shari, Nancy and Tom (21).

Spring Iris, J. Loomis photo
Most of the group chose to start out going uphill, six of us started downhill.  Going down today seemed tiring but coming back uphill, I was happy that I chose what I did.  It was really a good morning for a run or a hike.  There is still a lot of loose rock on Road 600, so if you're going for a bike ride, 500 is the better choice.

Caspar Creek, J. Loomis photo
When we started at 8:00, Cyd was starting her second six mile.  When we finished at 9:00, Cyd was starting her third six mile, with another one to do after that!  Just two weeks from now, she will be running her 100 Mile Zion Run!

Caspar barn, J. Loomis photo
Thanks to John for today's pictures!

Caspar blooms, J. Loomis photo
Sun. April 5,  Big River
Sun. April 12, Pudding Creek Trestle (MacKerricher Haul Road)
Sun. April 19, Ward Ave.,  -0.9 tide at 6:30
Sun. April 26, Van Damme State Park

Suggestion, copy and paste the above schedule on an email to yourself and save it.  Then, if I don't show up on Sunday, you'll know where to meet.

NEXT SUNDAY, APRIL 5 @ 8:00 A.M.: BIG RIVER, 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.

Sunday, March 22, 2015

WARD AVENUE

Grey Whale skeleton, MacKerricher State Park
J. Loomis photo
Great day!  55 degrees, overcast/sunny skies, no wind and we got a new member!  I think.  Thanks, Michelle, for coming today and please keep coming!  Also with us today, was Healdsburg Tony.  Tony comes each year after obliterating his age group in the Whale Run.  He's fast and friendly and loves the coast!

Grey Whale tail, I think, J. Loomis photo
Thanks to John, for today's photos.  He's on a Whale theme here, likely because this weekend is the Annual Whale Festival.

Yesterday, at the Whale Run and Walk, we (Fog Dodgers and frequent visitors) did very well.  Congratulations to Marc, the Overall Race Walk winner, covering the 3.1 miles at a 11:05 pace, finishing in 34:25.  Amazing!    To Tony, First Place 5K, Male 60-69, Nancy, First Place 5K, Female 70+, Sarah, First Place Female 30-39,  Cyd, First Place 5K, Female 20-29, and  Bob got a third place behind Tony in the 60-69 group,  then Tom and John came in in fifth and sixth.

Lake Cleone, J. Loomis photo

Also present today:  Lisa, Toni, Joe, Nancy T., Roger, John, Joel, Cheryl, Nancy and Tom (12).  Small turnout today and I'm not sure why.  Perhaps the rain forecast or not wanting to walk/run on the beach, oh well.  Next week's venue is really nice for both running and walking.  We will be on the Caspar Logging Roads and hope that you will join us.

Snowy Egret, J. Loomis photo
Sun. Mar. 29, Caspar Logging Roads
Sun. April 5,  Big River
Sun. April 12, Pudding Creek Trestle (MacKerricher Haul Road)

NEXT SUNDAY, MARCH 29 @ 8:00 A.M.: CASPAR LOGGING ROADS, 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.

Sunday, March 15, 2015

RUSSIAN GULCH STATE PARK

It was a nice morning to run or walk.  We were at Russian Gulch and it was a calm, overcast and 58 degrees, sort of perfect conditions.  A new runner joined with us today, thanks Katie for bringing Jackie.  Jackie lives locally and hopefully she will continue to run with us.


Pink Peonies, J. Loomis

Though a little early, it has certainly seemed Spring-like, with all the trees beginning to leaf and bloom.  John must be in a Spring mood, pictures of new plants and little critters building nests.

Humming bird nest building, J. Loomis
Others present today:  Fran, Bob J., Nancy B., Rick, Shari, Peter, Melissa, Rod, Bob, John, Cyd, Joe, Nancy and Tom (16).

Spring broccoli, J. Loomis
Next Saturday is the Whale Run and Walk.  It is a nice race and supports a good cause.  If you're going, pass the Fog Dodger invite on to all the friends you talk with.

Spring peas, J. Loomis
Okay, that's enough Spring stuff.  Hope the remainder of your weekend is fun and hope to see everyone next Sunday!

Sun. Mar. 22, Ward Ave. (another good low tide, -0.2)
Sun. Mar. 29, Caspar Logging Roads
Sun. April 5,  Big River
Sun. April 12, Pudding Creek Trestle (MacKerricher Haul Road)

NEXT SUNDAY, MARCH 22 @ 8:00 A.M.: WARD AVENUE, see "Our Routes" above.  There's a   -0.2 tide and so running and walking the beach would be good for those wanting to.

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, March 8, 2015

Sunday, March 8, 2015

"I'm the walkingest girl around. I like to work at it — really get my heart pounding." Amy Yasbeck

 We all remembered to set our clocks back last night - or our devices did that for us while we slept. In any case, our group reduced from 26 runners and walkers this week to 12. Our runners were John L. , Rod and Bob C. The walkers included Charlene, Joe, Fran, Steve & Orah, Nancy B. and Rick. six of us had breakfast together at the Little River Inn. We experienced a chilly air and foggy sky. Enjoyed watching the geese sort our their relationships at the Little River where it meets the ocean.

Foggy Day at Van Damme by J. Loomis
Fog Surrounds Remnants of Spring Ranch by J. Loomis

View of Van Damme Spring Flowers by Unknown Phtographer


The Whale Run is coming up March 21st. Don't forget that there are many walkers there as well. Mark it on you calendar. 

 NEXT SUNDAY, MARCH 15TH @ 8:00 A.M.: RUSSIAN GULCH STATE PARK

Sun. Mar. 22, Ward Ave. (another good low tide, -0.2)
Sun. Mar. 29, Caspar Logging Roads
Sun. April 5,  Big River

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, March 1, 2015

Sunday, March 1, 2015

Pudding Creek Trestle

I only went out for a walk, and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in. John Muir, 1913, in Linnie Marsh Wolfe, ed., John of the Mountains: The Unpublished Journals of John Muir, 1938

We had a large assembly this morning. All expected me to lead them in a specific direction, but I fooled them and chose to go south and others expected to go north and I said, "go whichever you desire." And they did. So most went north and some went south and we all convened again at the starting point.


Colorful house near Pudding Creek Trestle trail by J. Loomis

This week we had seven runners: Lisa and Tabi and their children, Linnaea and Zavier, John L., Cheryl W., Cyd, Bob C., Melissa and Randy. Joel was our sole bicyclist. Our collection of walkers was impressive. We had Suzanne & Henry, Toni, Judith, Bob ., Gerri, Steve & Orah, Fran, Mark & Gaye, Neil & Cheryl, and Rick & Nancy (26).


Trestle Bridge with over-flying birds by J. Loomis


Beautiful cypress trees by J. Loomis
Decommissioned rails and water tank by J. Loomis


The Whale Run is coming up March 21st. Don't forget that there are many walkers there as well. Mark it on you calendar. Today, seven of our large group went to David's for breakfast.

Sun. Mar. 15, Russian Gulch
Sun. Mar. 22, Ward Ave. (another good low tide, -0.2)
Sun. Mar. 29, Caspar Logging Roads
Sun. April 5,  Big River

NEXT SUNDAY, MARCH 8 @ 8:00 A.M.:  Van Damme State Park
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.