Ward Avenue

"If you under-train, you may not finish, but if you over-train, you may not start." -- Stan Jensen.

An incredibly beautiful morning.  We met at Ward Avenue, some walked the Haul Road and others chose the beach.  On the beach, we benefitted from a very low tide and we all benefitted from crystal clear skies.  The view up the coast, as far as Cape Mendocino, was clear and beautiful.  The water lines along the beach, left as the last high tide receded, were solid lines of what looked to be sand crab legs and shells.  I'm hoping that was just a sign of a recent molt and not some huge die off.  It was 42 degrees at the start but warming quickly.

J. Loomis photo

It was nice see Lisa, Tabi and their two children, Linnaea and Zavier.  Also, Sara (h?), was back.  It's nice to have younger people joining us.  And, they are all locals.  Thanks for coming!  Donna brought a friend, Nancy, her second visit.   Thanks both.

Also present today: Cyd, Randy E., Toni, Joe, Nancy B., Rick, Katie, Melissa, Geri, Orah, Steve, Gay, Mark, Greg, Charlene, John, Nancy and Tom (25).

Two shots of Lake Cleone this morning, J. Loomis photos

J. Loomis photo, 

J. Loomis photo

The Whale Run is coming up March 21st.  Prior to then, Melissa may bring some Whale Runners in training to one of our Sunday run/walks.  The more runners and walkers we have, the better the chance of finding someone you really click with or that runs or walks the same pace as you.







Today, ten of the group went to David's for breakfast.  Sometimes, our large numbers are a problem for breakfast but that is a problem we can easily fix by just getting more tables. Kira and her staff are excellent at accommodating us.

Sun. Mar. 1,  Pudding Creek Trestle
Sun. Mar. 8,  Van Damme State Park
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, DATE @ 8:00 A.M.: PUDDING CREEK TRESTLE, from there, you can north or south, both very pretty.

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

"If you can train your mind for running, everything else will be easy."--Amby Burfoot

A Valentine's Day Sunset, J. Loomis photo

We met at Big River today.  It was a beautiful morning.  While waiting to get started, it seemed colder than the 48 degrees because of the easterly breeze blowing downriver.  Once we were up the river a bit, very nice.  It's trying to turn into Spring, trees and bushes beginning to leaf, little buds opening up and stinging nettles already a foot tall!  John captures the changes nicely with the photos below, thank you John!

J. Loomis photo

It is President's Day weekend and it was nice to see a good turnout.  I think that a few of our runners were over at the Willits Classic.  Present were:  Gay, Mark, Geri, Nancy T., Roger, Rick, Tom T., Bob J., Greg, Judith, John, Rod, Cheryl, Laura, Cyd, Nancy and Tom (17).

J. Loomis photo

Upcoming dates and locations:  

Sun. Feb. 22, Ward Ave.  (good low tide!)
Sun. Mar. 1,  Pudding Creek Trestle
Sun. Mar. 8,  Van Damme State Park
Sun. Mar. 15, Russian Gulch
Sun. Mar. 22, Ward Ave. (another good low tide, -0.2)
Sun. Mar. 29, Caspar Logging Roads

NEXT SUNDAY, FEB. 22 @ 8:00 A.M.:  WARD AVENUE (a good low tide!)

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.

Caspar Logging Roads

"Putting miles in your training log is like putting money in the bank.  You begin to draw interest on it immediately."-- Hal Higdon

It was kind of nice this morning at Caspar.  There were a few rain drops, not many, and the wind, a bit blustery but not too bad.  The 61 degrees made it all seem worth showing up.  It was like the second time this year I wore shorts.   Not very proud of these old legs but when it's raining and warm, shorts are better than tights or pants.

Thanks to John, for the pictures that make the blog look nice and keep it interesting, I think.  John has a good eye!

Russian Gulch waterfall, J. Loomis

I thought that after the driest January ever, the muddy sections we encountered a month ago  on Road 600 would be well packed.  I guess they didn't pack, so a lot of clean 2" rock has been spread over those areas, making for tricky footing in a few areas but otherwise the road was nice.

 Old Caspar farmhouse, J. Loomis photo 

Can't blame anyone for staying home, with the rain and wind forecast that we had.  When it rains, more runners are likely to show up than walkers.  That was the case today, until a couple of late arrival walkers showed up, making it 7 walkers and 6 runners.  

Caspar watertower, J. Loomis photo

Present today:  Cyd, Cheryl, Laura, John, Nancy T., Roger, Toni, Joe, Deb, Sam, Charlene, Nancy and Tom.  Judith was still without internet, so was unsure about the venue,  but joined us for breakfast at David's (14).

Another old Caspar farmhouse, J. Loomis photo

 We might be passing the blog author duties around a little and I thought it would make it easier if I chose the upcoming locations in advance.  Then, if a new blog entry isn't posted some week, we'll still know where to go.  You can put these on your calendars or just remember they are here and come back to check.  As always, I'll gladly accept requests and would love for additional and suitable venues.

Upcoming dates and locations:  
Sun. Feb. 15, Big River
Sun. Feb. 22, Ward Ave.  (good low tide!)
Sun. Mar. 1,  Pudding Creek Trestle
Sun. Mar. 8,  Van Damme State Park
Sun. Mar. 15, Russian Gulch
Sun. Mar. 22, Ward Ave. (another good low tide, -0.2)

NEXT SUNDAY, FEB. 15, @ 8:00 A.M.:  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.

Russian Gulch State Park

"I've never known a runner who had as much patience as he needed." -- Amby Furfoot, THE RUNNER'S GUIDE TO THE MEANING OF LIFE.

Jack Peters Creek, J. Loomis photo

 This morning, was one of those first of the month days, when the ReserveAmerica reservation window opens at 8:00 a.m., for State Park Campgrounds, so Nancy and I had to stay home and take care of business.  Thanks,  Roger, for taking the roll and I'm sorry to have missed the run.  We were successful though, in reserving our San Clemente campground for later in the year.

J. Loomis photo

Present this morning:  Cheryl, Geri, Jennifer, Toni, Joe, John, Laura, Nancy B., Rick,  Rod, Charlene, Deb, Sam, Orah, Steve, Nancy T., Roger, and joining 10 others for breakfast at David's, Nancy and Tom (19).

Russian Gulch State Park, J. Loomis photo

Thanks to John L., for today's photos.  They were taken earlier and in my file here.

Asked if there was anything "special" about today's walk/run, I only heard a couple of 'it was muddy's.'  Maybe someday, a little of the State Park System's maintenance money will be diverted to Mendocino County and we could have trails to be proud of.  Until then, State Park's should be ashamed of our local trails.


NEXT SUNDAY, FEB. 8th @ 8:00 A.M.:  CASPAR 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.