PUDDING CREEK TRESTLE

We met at the Pudding Creek Trestle this morning.  It was really windy and something like 46 degrees.  There were more stocking caps and hoodies today.  We all had a good time, though it was a bit difficult to talk or hear while walking in to the wind.  Coming back, with the wind at our backs, it was an easy walk.

Thanks to John for all of todays photos.  They were all (but one, the Point Arena Lighthouse) taken in the vicinity of our run/walk today.

                                       

                                         

                                            PUDDING CREEK BEACH AND TRESTLE

                                       

Credit to Sara and Bob today, the only runners.  Bob wasn't exactly with us but doing his own run just behind us on the Coastal Trail.  He's trying to keep to softer surfaces for awhile.  I sure wish we could interest more runners.  The Fog Dodgers are evolving and not necessarily in a good way.  We started, in 1998, as a running group.  Soon after beginning, we began to have walkers or hikers start joining.  This was all great and we would have large numbers every week and everyone had someone that walked or ran at their pace.  Now though, we're getting old and mostly walking.  If you know of any young neighbors or friends, please invite them to come out for a run or walk.  It's good if they bring a friend.  This helps them get used to the group and not feel so alone.  When someone new shows up, please reach out to them, introduce yourself and find out a little about them.  Okay, off my soapbox now.

Others present:  Diana, Jeff, Charlene, Fran, Jean, Toni, Deb, Sam, Shari, Peter, Sky, Kim, Doug, John, Nancy and Tom (18).

                                                  YELLOW HOUSE - FORT BRAGG

                                        

                                                FORT BRAGG - SKUNK TRAIN YARD

As of now, we have 5 days of rain or showers beginning next Thursday.  There's not a lot of rain during the period and so I'm hoping that the puddles on the Big River Road won't be too big nor the road too muddy on Sunday.

                                                      POINT ARENA LIGHTHOUSE

Nine of us enjoyed breakfast this morning at Homestyle Cafe.

                                                                RAVEN SILOUETTE

NEXT SUNDAY, 02/05/23, @ 8:00 A.M.: GROUP RUN/WALK/BIKE, BIG RIVER LOGGING ROAD.  You can click on the "Our Routes" tab at the top to get directions, if needed.

EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY, GROUP RUN/WALK @ 7:30 A.M.: COASTAL TRAIL - MIDDLE, behind the Fort Bragg Fire Station.

WARD AVENUE

Sunday, January 22, 2023

Though my alarm clock failed to go off I was able to make it up to Ward Avenue just as the group was coming back into sight. Attending were: Charlene, Morning, Shari, John, Diana, Jeff, Joe (technically), Nancy,Tom, Fran, Mark, Gay, Sky, Jean and a new hiker, Karen (15). A beautiful sunny morning with large waves and near high tide, a king tide. The wind made it quite bracing, especially on the return going into the wind. The road to the parking area at the point has been cleared after the last storm.

Here are John's photos for this week's blog:

Mackerricher-Beach-looking-north

 Mackerricher-Beach-Parking

 

Mackerricher-Fisherman

 

(I love the way John caught the action of the cast, with the rod bending)

Mackerricher-Jan-2023

Mackerricher-King-Tide-on-the-way

 

And some photos provided by Shari

Photo of the group, those who made it out to the point

 

Group photo with Shari

Sunrise photo (with UFO?)

After the walk several of us went to the Caspar Community Center for breakfast and we were joined by Peter. Good to see him again.

NEXT SUNDAY, January 29 @ 8:00 A.M.: GROUP RUN/WALK/BIKE Pudding Creek Trestle (Haul Road)

EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY, GROUP RUN/WALK @ 7:30 A.M.: COASTAL TRAIL - MIDDLE, behind the Fort Bragg Fire Station.

COASTAL TRAIL - SOUTH

Sunday, January 15, 2023

A break in the rain brought out a large contingent this Sunday: Sheri, John, Sam, Deb, Jeff, Dianna, Scott, Cheryl, Sara, Bob, Joe, Kim, Doug, Charlene,Tom, Nancy and Sky (17).  There were some muddy spots on the trail but this route was a good one for a post-rain walk, with most of it paved.

As often, John provides photos for this week's blog:

Signs of Spring

 

Early Morning Sunrise - Ft Bragg

Tommy's Marine - reflection in a puddle

Teresa Marie

John pointed out that, in spite of heavy seas there was a party boat out fishing on the ocean. The waves were large enough that the boat completely disappeared in the troughs between them. Probably not the most fun fishing excursion.

After the walk a large group tried to go to David's Deli. We have not had breakfast there for a long time. however it was too busy, so we went to the Home Style and were seated a one long table for a very convivial breakfast.

NEXT SUNDAY, Ward Avenue @ 8:00 A.M.: GROUP RUN/WALK/BIKE

EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY, GROUP RUN/WALK @ 7:30 A.M.: COASTAL TRAIL - MIDDLE, behind the Fort Bragg Fire Station.

COASTAL TRAIL - NORTH

                                 The "Guest House", Fort Bragg, CA,  J. Loomis photo

Thanks to John, for all of today's photos.  As John and I were walking today, we were talking about the "old days" of fishing around here.  I used to be a Fish and Game Warden and so along with the photos today, John also sent a cartoon that he had received from his brother, I include it.

The weather this morning was much better than any of us expected.  We were able to get in a nice walk or run.  It was also nice to meet a former (June of 2017) Fog Dodger runner, Sara.  Sara is a good friend of Erin Wyner Morin.  I tried to convince Sara to return and bring along a few friends.  As you all know, I've been saying for a long time, that we need "some new blood" in our group.

Besides Sara, I'm counting Cheryl and Scott, as we met with them mid-way and walked together a bit.  Then there was; Kim, Doug, Deb, Sam, Charlene, Shari, Bob, John, Joe, Nancy and Tom (14).

It was a very pretty morning, with the sun rising behind storm clouds and a full moon setting after the storm.  

                                                        Glass Beach Raven

P G & E is on the coast in force.  They are using the old mill property for staging while they work on and stand by for power outages.  

Nancy and I are hoping to do quite a bit more traveling, now that we are post-pandemic (??).  Besides Covid, we were also going through a move into town and a remodel project.  I've got a few "Golden Years" left and I'm anxious to try out the new motorhome.  I'm hoping that someone in our group will volunteer to take over as Main Blogger.  It's not difficult, believe me, I've been doing an email or a blog for 24 years now, and it's a great way to remember everyone's name.  We have a couple of other Authors that can usually fill in when you're not available.  Please let me know if you want to give it a try.  Today, Joe said that he could help out.  I'd still like a couple more "volunteers".  If spread out, the assignment is really very simple.  If we have 3 or 4 bloggers, one would almost certainly be there for the week, and all you gotta do is take the roll and decide where to go next week.  Thanks for reading. 

There is a lot of rain in the forecast this week.  Also, there is wind.  Seems as though all of our venues have some drawback.  I'm going with the Coastal Trail - South (Taco Bell) next Sunday.  I know that we were just there on Christmas but with the weather forecast for the next week, it's the only "safe" place I can think of.  Hopefully the wind will not be too bad.

NEXT SUNDAY, 01/15/23, @ 8:00 A.M.: GROUP RUN/WALK/BIKE, COASTAL TRAIL - SOUTH (Taco Bell).  You can click on the "Our Routes" tab at the top to get directions, if needed.

EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY, GROUP RUN/WALK @ 7:30 A.M.: COASTAL TRAIL - MIDDLE, behind the Fort Bragg Fire Station.

RUSSIAN GULCH STATE PARK

We started the new year, Happy New Year everyone, just right, with a good walk in one of our favorite State Parks.  It was a little cool at Russian Gulch but not like the rest of the country, thank goodness.  The sun was out and the days are starting to lengthen.  The creek was brown from the recent rain and the trail was good, thanks to all the upgrading they've done over the past year or two.

                            Thanks John, for all of today's photos.

                                         Getting ready!  J. Loomis photo

                                              Mendocino duck pond

Oh, I did take one photo recently.  It's where we'll walk and run next week, so I thought it a good time to post.

                                Glass Beach/Pudding Creek Headlands

Present today: Fran, Charlene, Barbara, Deb, Sam, John, Joe, Nancy and Tom (9).

Nancy and I are hoping to do quite a bit more traveling, now that we are post-pandemic (??).  Besides Covid, we were also going through a move into town and a remodel project.  I've got a few "Golden Years" left and I'm anxious to try out the new motorhome.  I'm hoping that someone in our group will volunteer to take over as Main Blogger.  It's not difficult, believe me, I've been doing an email or a blog for 24 years now, and it's a great way to remember everyone's name.  We have a couple of other Authors that can usually fill in when you're not available.  Please let me know if you want to give it a try.  Thank you.

There is a lot of rain in the forecast this week.  Also, there is wind.  Seems as though all of our venues have some drawback.  I'm going with Glass Beach for next Sunday and will hope for the best.

NEXT SUNDAY, 01/01/23, @ 8:00 A.M.: GROUP RUN/WALK/BIKE, COASTAL TRAIL - NORTH (GLASS BEACH PARKING LOT).  You can click on the "Our Routes" tab at the top to get directions, if needed.

EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY, GROUP RUN/WALK @ 7:30 A.M.: COASTAL TRAIL - MIDDLE, behind the Fort Bragg Fire Station.