WARD AVENUE

I could not have predicted the wind when I selected WARD AVENUE for this week's hike, but it turned out to be hella windy today. In order to minimize the wind some of us actually hiked east on Ward Avenue rather than the usual path south along the road at the coast. The wind made it chilly but otherwise it was a beautiful day. Hiking were Nancy, Tom, Diana, Jeff, Eric, Joe, John, Charlene, Fran, Jean, Zelda, Kim, Doug, and Mark.

Seven of us went to breakfast at the Laurel Deli and were able to use the back room - always nice.

John got some good photos:

Windswept-Mackerricher

Deer-in-the-dunes

Haul-road-north

Deer-out-of-the-wind

Ward-Ave-Blooms

Mckerricher-sea-wall-remains (made of old railroad rails)

Ward-Ave-Rhodedendron 

NEXT SUNDAY, May 24 @ 8:00 A.M.: GROUP RUN/WALK/BIKE, NAVARRO RIDGE (let me know if you all are getting tired of NAVARRO RIDGE every fourth Sunday). 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 along the rough trail at Van Damme State Park. Who knows wen the park might do some repairs along the trail.The weather was nice and cool. It had been raining lightly earlier in the morning but the sun was out along the coast as we finished. On the hike were Sky, Joe, Deb, Sam, Nancy, Tom, John, Diana, Jeff, Charlene, Mark, Jean, Fran, Shari and Eric.

Then, as usual, most of us went to St Anthony's for the pancake breakfast where we were joined by Peter with Bob and Claudette stopping by.

John's photos:

Happy-Mothers-Day-Fog-Dodgers

Goosey-Gander-goslings

Big-River-outlet

VanDamme-Wild-Columbine

Van-Damme-overcrossing

Van-Damme-River

Van-Damme-Wild-Flower

NEXT SUNDAY, May 17 @ 8:00 A.M.: GROUP RUN/WALK/BIKE, WARD AVENUE. You can click on the "Our Routes" tab at the top to get directions, if needed. We might be able to see some harbor seal pups in the rookeries along the coast. It's that time of year.

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

BIG RIVER

8:00 a.m., Sunday the 3rd:  It was 54 degrees, thick overcast making it dry-like, no breeze and just a few mosquitoes.  It was a good morning for walking at Big River.  Present were: Sky, Mark, Mary, Fran, John, Jean, Eric, Shari, Barbara, Nancy and Tom (11).  Eric, Nancy and Tom turned around shortly after the start and headed to Boonville to do the Boontling Classic 5K.

Thanks to John for today's photos, all from Big River.

Big River Hwy. 1 Bridge

Big River looking west

Big River looking east

                                                         Big River wildflower

                                                           Big River Star Thistle

                                                         Big River wild flowers
Next Sunday is Mother's Day.  I'm not sure what that will do to the Pancake Breakfast crowd at St. Anthony's but everyone likes going there on the second Sundays so, we just walked Heeser Dr. and around Mendocino, so I'm picking another venue nearby.

NEXT SUNDAY, MAY 10TH, 8:00 A.M., GROUP RUN/WALK/BIKE, VAN DAMME STATE PARK.

EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY, GROUP RUN/WALK/BIKE, 7:30 A.M., COASTAL TRAIL MIDDLE (BEHIND THE FORT BRAGG FIRE STATION).

NAVARRO RIDGE ROAD

It was a nice overcast and warm morning on Navarro Ridge.  53 degrees at our start but then turning a little cooler on our way back, and we even got just a few raindrops in the second half.

John has again given us some very nice photos, thank you, John.

                                                               Hare Creek Beach at sunset

                                                                View of the Navarro River

Navarro River Barn

                                                                              Wild Rose

                                                                       Belted Galloway

                                                                      Navarro Barn

Present today:  Fran, Jean, John, Deb, Sam, Sky, Beth, Bob D., Charlene,  Eric, Nancy and Tom (12).

Next week, several of us are going to do the Boontling Classic 5K.  It starts at 10:00, so we will walk for a little bit at Big River but then head to Boonville.

NEXT SUNDAY,  May 3rd @ 8:00 A.M.:  Group Run/Walk/Bike, BIG RIVER LOGGING ROAD.  You can click on the button, "OUR ROUTES", for directions if needed.

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

GLASS BEACH

This morning we had overcast skies, 47 degrees (felt like 41) and a very flat ocean.  We walked the Coastal Trail from Glass Beach going south to the bay that is/was Fort Bragg Landing.  The wildflowers are nearing their peak, lots of California Poppies.

Thanks, John, for today's photos.

                                                                         Sea Glass Picture

                                                                      Sparrow on a post

Present today:  Deb, Sam, Eric, Sky, Lynn, Beth, Bob D., Fran, Jean, Shari, John, Kim, Doug (Happy Birthday!), Mark, Nancy and Tom (16).

                                                     Fort Bragg Landing / Glass Beach

                                                                      Sgrafitto Ceramic

                                                                    Cherry Blossoms

                                                            Fog Dodgers April 2026

NEXT SUNDAY, APRIL 2 6TH, 8:00 A.M.: GROUP RUN/WALK/BIKE,  NAVARRO RIDGE  Directions, if needed, by clicking on "Our Routes" at the top.

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

MENDOCINO HEADLANDS

Walking today:  Kim, Doug, Mary, Charlene, Eric, Mark, John, Sky, Nancy and Tom (10).  And then for breakfast at St. Anthony's, we were joined by Fran, Jean, Beth and Bob D.  I think the overnight weather, heavy downpours, kept some people home.  It also made for nice walking conditions, as only one car passed us during our walk, and the area's grass and wildflowers are lush and growing like crazy!  A rainbow over the ocean topped it all off.

Thanks to John for today's photos.  John always supplies nice photos.  I just wish that I was techie enough to work with "Blogger" and arrange them properly.  

                                                 Mendocino Bumble out foraging

                                                       Mendocino Spring Floral

                                                          Mendocino Rainbow

                                                      

                                                        Mendocino town backlit

                                                    Mendocino Garage in Spring

                                       John is currently working on this sculpture 

NEXT SUNDAY, APRIL 19TH, 8:00 A.M.: GROUP RUN/WALK/BIKE,  GLASS BEACH.  Directions, if needed, by clicking on "Our Routes" at the top.

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

CASPAR LOGGING ROAD

Several regular members are away but there was a decent showing at CASPAR LOGGING ROAD. Hiking were Barbara, John, Joe, Kelly, Eric, Shari, Charlene, Mark, and Jean. We took the side trail on the south for a change and then continued up the road before turning back. The Rhodies are starting to bloom.

Afterwards three of us wen to the Home Style for breakfast.

Shari was taking some photos. Maybe I can add them to the blog. 

NEXT SUNDAY, April 12 @ 8:00 A.M.: GROUP RUN/WALK/BIKE, MENDOCINO HEADLANDS. 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.