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, December 27, 2015

PUDDING CREEK TRESTLE

It was a very cold night, especially so when you get back away from the ocean.  At Pudding Creek Trestle though, it was not quite so cold but still chilly at 38.  Everyone was anxious to get going to exercise the chill.   Cyd had already finished her first mile warm-up split.

J. Loomis photo

Rod brought his daughter, Lindsey, a lovely young lady.  She has run with us before, thank you both!  Thank you also for the beautiful sunrise photo!

Also present this morning:  Fran, Cyd, Neil, Nancy B., Rick, Toni, Joe, Nancy T., Roger, Chandra, Melissa, Katie, Cheryl, Oh so fast Laura, Bob, John, Nancy and Tom (20).

J. Loomis photo

Thanks, Lindsey, for this sunrise!



We all chose to go north at the start and we were rewarded with a beautiful morning.  The grass is now finally greening, making things so much prettier.  Combining with the green grass, we had seas and clouds of all colors, just a very pretty morning!

J. Loomis photo
Thank you John, for today's pictures.

a few upcoming venues:

SUNDAY, JAN. 3, WARD AVENUE
SUNDAY, JAN. 10TH BIG RIVER LOGGING ROAD
SUNDAY, JAN. 17TH CASPAR LOGGING ROAD


NEXT SUNDAY, JAN. 3RD @ 8:00 A.M.: 
WARD AVENUE, see "Our Routes" above. Not a good low tide at 8:00, probably about +4.0', but it will still be a good beach run or you can run or walk on the Haul Road by going south.

EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY @ 7:15 A.M.: GROUP RUNS, BIG RIVER.

Sunday, December 20, 2015

Big River Logging Road


John has been busy the past six weeks and unable to run with us.  He has however, continued running and kept himself very busy with Zumba and running even more than before.  I'm happy to say that he will rejoin us on Tuesday.  Throughout his absence he's continued to send his pictures.  Thank you John!
J. Loomis photo



There was a steady rain this morning, fairly heavy at times and it was 43 degrees when we started at 8:00.  Ron had to work this morning, so when he and Charlene arrived in the middle of a downpour, they decided to bail out, probably a wise choice.




A harbor view, J. Loomis photo


Others present and taking in all the rain were:  Nancy B., Rick, Toni, Joe, Laura, Joel, Bob, Cyd, Janis, Melissa, Katie, Cheryl,Nancy and Tom (14).  Interestingly, 10 runners and 4 walkers, going along with my theory from last week, that runners were more dedicated than walkers.  Take that as a challenge walkers!

Purisima Creek Farm, J. Loomis photo

Directions to each run found by clicking "Our Routes" above.

SUNDAY, DEC. 27TH, PUDDING CREEK TRESTLE
SUNDAY, JAN. 3, WARD AVENUE
SUNDAY, JAN. 10TH BIG RIVER LOGGING ROAD
SUNDAY, JAN. 17TH CASPAR LOGGING ROAD
SUNDAY, JAN. 24TH, NOYO BAY (from Pomo Bluffs Park, across the bridge,  to Johnson Point)



NEXT SUNDAY, DEC. 27TH @ 8:00 A.M.: PUDDING CREEK TRESTLE  (best place to mention this, is probably right here:  Somebody left a ball cap with Bahrain International Circuit on it at Mark and Gay's last Sunday.  To claim,   Gay's email is: yagandkram@comcast.net , or contact me at triley@mcn.org .

EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY @ 7:15 A.M.: GROUP RUNS, BIG RIVER.

Sunday, December 13, 2015

CASPAR LOGGING ROADS

J. Looms photo

It rained thru most of the night and by 7 or so this morning, it was getting kind of windy and so I didn't expect too many would make it to this morning's run/hike.  Runners seem to me, to be more dedicated (or crazy!) and so I expect more runners than walkers on days like this.  That was almost the case today.  Present for the run: Melissa, Katie, Cyd, Nancy and Tom.  Present for the hike:  Zelda, Barbara, Nancy B.,  Susan and Bruce.  A tie, 5-5.  Missing were Charlene and Ron that couldn't get out of the driveway for a fallen tree.

J. Loomis photo
Now, breakfast is another story.  Everyone comes out for food!  Mark and Gay's home is beautiful and comfortable.  We've had several wonderful potlucks there before and today's was also excellent.
There was a lot of delicious food and good company.  Gay kept Greg busy cooking waffles while she showed many of us The Surprise.  With all of the side dishes brought by the group and the cookies to be exchanged, there was no shortage of food!  Thank you Mark and Gay!  It was perfect!

Maddie and Aliya
Present for breakfast:  Cheryl, Neil, Pat, Leon, Fran, Geri, Norma, Charlene, Ron, Toni, Joe, Shari, Peter, Nancy T., Roger, Greg, Mike, Gay, Mark, Deb, Sam and seven of those above (28).

SUNDAY, DEC. 20TH, BIG RIVER LOGGING ROAD
SUNDAY, DEC. 27TH, PUDDING CREEK TRESTLE
SUNDAY, JAN. 3, WARD AVENUE
SUNDAY, JAN. 10TH BIG RIVER LOGGING ROAD

NEXT SUNDAY, DEC. 20 @ 8:00 A.M.: BIG RIVER LOGGING ROAD

EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY @ 7:00 A.M.:  GROUP RUNS AT BIG RIVER

Monday, December 7, 2015

Noyo Headlands Trail

Tom, I started the walk/run 20 seconds early, to at least give me something to say in the blog, and give you enough ammunition to fire me from writing blogs in the future!.  However, as it turned out, I found quite a bit to write about.

Noyo Headlands Trail Map
It was an overcast morning, but warm at 55°.  We had a few showers on the walk/run, but nothing too serious. The new trail had some quite spectacular views of waves breaking over rock outcrops out in the ocean, particularly off Johnson Point.  There seemed to be adequate parking, but we'll see when the visitors arrive next summer. Parking at Glass Beach for the North Trail, was almost impossible this last summer, but at least additional parking has now been added.

Trail Visitor
There were some interesting seats along the trail, made by local artist, one that was a bit different had seats for 4 people, all facing different directions.  Joe suggested it could be for a dysfunctional family.  Another one, was hopefully waiting to be completed, as the bench seats were only attached by a few regular screws and one of the seats had already become detached!

I need to apologize to Neil, as Joe and I got into a long discussion on how to calculate the height above sea level you need to be, to see the horizon at 120 miles - the distance to Eureka where our closet weather radar is situated - no don't ask! Joe, the answer is about 10,000ft, see -  here. I guess as there was nothing about ailing bodies or sports in our discussion, Neil was quite bored.
We also were intrigued with the guy walking a small horse - the photo is courtesy of John.  The owner told us it was a Miniature Horse.  Earlier, I had been met with looks of derision and disbelief when I said I thought it might be a "Pit Pony" or "Shetland Pony".  So for those disbelievers, it turns out that the Shetland pony was the most common breed used as a 'pit' pony. Read about a pit pony here,  a Shetland pony here,  and a comparison between a miniature horse and a Shetland pony here.

Trail to Pomo Bluffs - click to enlarge
From the car park, the trail goes both left and right.  To the right, which is how most of us went, the trail goes north to Johnson Point and beyond.  At the end of the walk, Toni pointed out that had we turned left, it's possible to get all the way to Pomo bluffs.  I've included a map of this trail, and remember, clicking it will make it larger.

Don't forget, next week is the breakfast potluck and cookie exchange. Here's what Tom wrote in last week's blog - as a reminder

Gay told me this morning, that she will again do her Waffle Bar at our potluck breakfast/cookie exchange on the 13th.  So, don't bring waffles but anything else is fair game.  There's always lots of food and Mark and Gay are wonderful hosts.  An added bonus this year, is the "Incredible, Amazing and Beautiful Surprise" that they will show those that come.  I can't say more here but your children and grandchildren would also love it.  Mark will bring a few maps to our run/hike for those that haven't been to their home, or you can easily follow someone else, it's not too far from our run/hike.

SUNDAY, DEC. 13TH, CASPAR LOGGING ROADS + POT LUCK AND COOKIE EXCHANGE SUNDAY, DEC. 20TH, BIG RIVER LOGGING ROAD SUNDAY, DEC. 27TH, PUDDING CREEK TRESTLE

SUNDAY, JAN. 3, WARD AVENUE

SUNDAY, JAN. 10TH BIG RIVER LOGGING ROAD

SUNDAY, DEC. 13TH, CASPAR LOGGING ROADS + POT LUCK AND COOKIE EXCHANGE
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.