RUSSIAN GULCH and party next Sunday

First, I want to announce that Diana and Jeff have graciously offered to host a party at their house next Sunday, December 22 after the hike. Thus the traditional holiday breakfast pot luck party of yesteryear is making a comeback. Yay!

Directions to their house: The address is 18731 Trillium Lane. Take Hwy 20 east from Hwy 1 and go one mile and turn right on Trillium Lane. Go all the way to the end and it is the last driveway on the left. There is a sign at the driveway entrance that says Forest View. We recommend not using GPS as it almost always takes people to Veronica Lane which ends up in a dead end gravel/dirt road.

Today we hiked at RUSSIAN GULCH State Park but took some detours in anticipation of blockages on the main trail due to the recent rains, a good idea since the trail was blocked further up the creek. We walked over to the beach, which is dominated by the massive arches of the highway bridge, and then walked the regular trail. Hiking were Kelly, Eric, Nancy, Tom, Diana, Jeff, John, Deb, Sam, Jean, Fran, Charlene, Mark, Barbara, Sky, Shari, and Joe (17).

Afterwards ten of us went to the Good Life in Mendocino. The patio was relatively empty for a change. I guess the weather and the Highway 128 closure has left Mendocino somewhat empty.

John's photos:

Russian-Gulch-Bridge

The Beach

Russian-Gulch-western-view

Russian-Gulch-Community-Center

Russian-Gulch-trail

Santa

NEXT SUNDAY, December 22 @ 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.

VAN DAMME

We hiked at VAN DAMME today on a cool but sunny Sunday. Some of us hiked to the location of an old bridge supported by wooden beams, which is now gone awaiting repairs we assume, as the beams had been removed and set on the ground. Hiking were Shari, Fran, Jean, Charlene, Chris, Sarah, Eric, Sky, John, Joe, Nancy (back again, but walking a shorter distance), Tom, Kelly, Diana, Jeff, Deb, and Sam (17).

Afterwards many went to St Anthony's for our usual bargain breakfast.

John submitted a large collection of photos:

VanDamme-Bridge

VanDammeCreek

Fall-Leaf-VanDamme

Mushroom-Group

Descanso-Lites-Starburst

Van-Damme-Creek

VanDammeHouse-on-the-hill

VanDamme2024

VanDammeLittle-River

DescansoLites

VanDamme-Campers

DescansoLitesMoon

NEXT SUNDAY, December 15, 2024 @ 8:00 A.M.: GROUP RUN/WALK/BIKE, RUSSIAN GULCH. 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

The skies were overcast at WARD AVENUE but a fairly large contingent of Fog Dodgers showed up including many new and infrequent hikers.The role call consists of Eric, Mark, Tom, Kelly who brought Tracy, Mary, Charlene, Diana, Jeff, Jean, Fran who brought Chris, Sky, Mary and Drew who brought Cheryl and John, and Joe (18). It was nice and cool as we walked south. On the beach back near the parking area there was a large group of turkey vultures feed on some large undetermined carcass.

Afterward about ten of us including Nancy, who Tom fetched from home, had breakfast at Denny's where all were adequately fed at a reasonable price.

Some photos from southern California from John:

NEXT SUNDAY, December 8, 2024 @ 8:00 A.M.: GROUP RUN/WALK/BIKE, VAN DAMME. 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.