May 9, 2010

This morning we ran and walked Russian Gulch State Park. No (mountain) lions, tigers or bears, but nettles and blackberries, oh my! It was overcast and still, but another beautiful Spring morning and we had the entire park to ourselves. Bob doesn't think I get to the falls, but I assure you all, I do, and they are in great form right now. Go see them if you haven't. The native Rhodies on the north perimeter trail are gorgeous, but it's a bit soggy in a few places.

There were plenty of birds, and Ron was all aflutter about it. No, I'm not nearly out of bird metaphors. If you must know, and apparently you must, present were: Osprey, American Kestrel, Black Oystercatcher, Acorn Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Olive-sided Flycatcher, Pacific-slope, Flycatcher, Warbling Vireo, Steller's Jay, Tree Swallow, Violet-green Swallow, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, Winter Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, American Robin, Wilson's Warbler, Black-headed Grosbeak, Brush Rabbit, Yellow-eared Chipmunk (these last two are birds, Ron?) (20).

The humans present were: Bob, Ry, Sam, Deb, Ron, Charlene, Laurie and her friend Rich, Brian, Kim, Adeline, Fran, Joel, John, Charlene, Neil, Cindy, Jim, and me, Johnny (19). Afterwards, 5 of us had a tasty breakfast at Laurel Deli.

Soon, we'll also dispense with these weekly emails, and you all (and anyone else!) can check out our blog that Brad has set up. We'll overlap for a few weeks, but then it will be the only place to get the email updates. Bookmark this url now. Come on, go ahead, DO IT. You know you want to: http://fogdodgers.blogspot.com/

Now here's the problem about next week. Brad and I are not back until that Sunday night, and Tom and Nancy will still be away. And when the cat's away, the mice will play. So it's a contest. Sort of. Send me your "blog", and I'll publish the "best" to the website Sunday night. You know the format. You know the venue. You know your critics. You know you can do it. You may not yet realize the challenge of trying to emulate Tom.

NEXT SUNDAY, MAY 16 @ 8 AM: A&W LOGGING ROAD (also known as Noyo River Logging Road), beginning at the Fort Bragg Police Department, corner of Franklin and Cypress.

EVERY TUESDAY @ 7 AM: RUSSIAN GULCH STATE PARK, beginning on Point Cabrillo Drive, 1/10 of a mile north of its south end.

EVERY THURSDAY @ 7 AM: VAN DAMME STATE PARK, beginning at the beach.