Ron Jahelka Trail, Big River

This crisp morning didn't stop quite a few folks from showing up at Big River. Apparently, some of you have been away long enough you had to introduce yourselves to the "regulars"! Though in the mid 40's when we started, it warmed up nicely, with no breeze to keep the mosquitoes at bay -- I think some of them hadn't eaten in 3 months....

Just a reminder, on Sundays we still take off at 8 sharp, with or without you, even when Tom isn't here. Present today were John, Jim, Cindy, Sam, Deb, Peter, Nancy B., Roger, Nancy T., Joyce, Bob, Melissa, Marc, Scott, Kennedy, Maddelyn, Steve, Kathy, Randy, Heather, Fran, Laurie and Johnny (23). Wow, super job folks! Afterward, a few of us enjoyed breakfast at Bayview Cafe, with free coffee and no automatic gratuity!

NEXT SUNDAY, 9/5/10 @ 8 AM:  Ten Mile River Logging Road (See "Our Routes" tab above). As Tom pointed out last week, the blackberries should be out in force (the most plentiful a couple of miles down the road) for those who wouldn't otherwise make the trip up there to pick them. See you then!

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.

Sunday, August 22, 2010

This morning, we were on Navarro Ridge Road, running, walking and biking. It was a picture perfect morning to be out, 51, sunny and calm. There were great views of the fog in the Navarro River Canyon below us, just a very pretty morning.

First off, my apologies to Roger for removing him from the group two weeks ago (at least in print) and giving his wife, Nancy, daughter Jacqui, son-in-law Gavin and three grandchildren to Peter. Peter didn't complain though, they're all great people. Due to some glitch in the blog mechanics, I haven't been able to edit that blog (Aug. 8th's) yet.

I hope the blog format is working okay for everybody. Today, I had one comment from a member that loved it. I've also had a couple of comments not liking it. I think that in the long run, it's going to work out for the best. Remember, you can always post a comment at the end of each blog. Feel free to correct me when I insert your name into the wrong family or if my watch gets to be 16 seconds off again, whatever, the blog is for all of us.

Present today were: Fran, John, Bob, Laurie, Cindy, Jim, Peter, Charlene, Ron, Maddelyn, Scott, Toni, Randy F., Nancy and Tom (15). Afterwards, I think (we couldn't sit together) all 15 of us enjoyed the Whitesboro Grange Pancake Breakfast.

NEXT SUNDAY, 8/29/10 @ 8:00 A.M.:  RON JAHELKA TRAIL, along Big River, beginning 1/2 mile east of Hwy. One (see "Our routes" tab above). It's actually been 3 months since we last did this road.

In two weeks, 9/5/2010, we will meet up north on the Ten Mile River Logging Road. The blackberries should be plentiful for those that want to bring a bucket or ziploc.

EVERY TUESDAY @ 7:00 A.M.: RUSSIAN GULCH STATE PARK, beginning on Point Cabrillo Drive, 1/10 of a mile north of it's south end. EVERY THURSDAY @ 7:00 A.M.: VAN DAMME STATE PARK, beginning at the beach.

The falls were gorgeous today - wish you could have been there, Bob

Seeming a little more like "fall" today, it was 54 and overcast with a slight breeze. I know that seems more like a description of summer thus far, except the poison oak is beginning to turn beautiful fall colors. At least the poison oak and nettle were far off the main trail, as Russian Gulch has been cleaned up nicely. There is still quite a lot of ground water seepage across the trail, and there were many campers today.

There wasn't a big turnout today, but it's about quality, not quantity, right? Roger and Nancy T. came without their children this week, and so did Peter -- hopefully someone's watching them. Also, there were Jim, Cindy, Fran, Nancy B., Bob, Laurie, Toni, Randy and Johnny (12), but no other speedy runners to enjoy the falls with me today.

NEXT SUNDAY, August 22, 2010 @ 8 AM:  It's time to go back to Navarro Ridge (See "Our Routes" tab above), followed by breakfast at the Whitesboro Grange. Yum. Tom and Nancy will be back, but Brad and I will be gone, so we'll see you the following week end.

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.

Sunday, August 8, 2010

This week we ran and walked the Fern Canyon Trail at Van Damme State Park. It was 54 degrees and foggy at the start, and at the end. It was nice to have Roger's daughter, Jacqui and son-in-law, Gavin, and their three children with us. Also a nice surprise to have a return visit from Erin. If that weren't enough, we gained a new runner, Randy. Johnny had almost forgotten what it's like to run with someone but today had company. Next week, maybe Johnny, San Diego Larry and Randy can have a real run! I wish Erin could be here again. You'll miss a good one Erin, probably would have brought back painful memories of the cold, wintery day that you hobbled back in for several miles with a terribly sprained ankle.

I've always said that we had only one "rule" and that is, that we start at exactly 8:00. This reminds me that we do have one other informal rule, it's called "Erin's Law". If you're going to be out longer than an hour, just let us know or else we'll be coming back looking for you. When Erin had her mishap, there was no such rule and so we waited, and waited, and waited...... We thought she was just out longer and having fun, not.

Also present today: Keith, Roger and Nancy T., Bob, Kim, Tanya, John, Brad, Joel, Peter, Randy F., Toni, Nancy and Tom (22). I feel that I've missed someone here.

For the record, I just checked my watch with "The Official" U.S. Time site ( http://www.time.gov/timezone.cgi?Pacific/d/-8/java ) and found my watch to be 16 seconds fast, now corrected. My apologies to anyone that missed us by those 16 seconds.

After the run/walk, a whole bunch (maybe 16?) of us enjoyed breakfast at Mendocino's Bayview Cafe.

NEXT SUNDAY, Aug. 15, 2010, @ 8:00 A.M.:  RUSSIAN GULCH STATE PARKSUNDAY, AUG. 22, NAVARRO RIDGE ROAD. Check "Our Routes" above.

EVERY TUESDAY @ 7:00 A.M.: RUSSIAN GULCH STATE PARK, beginning on Point Cabrillo Drive, 1/10 of a mile north of it's south end.

EVERY THURSDAY @ 7:00 A.M.: VAN DAMME STATE PARK, beginning at the beach.

Sunday, August 01, 2010

It was beautiful this morning, a couple of miles in from the ocean. Luckily, we ran and walked in Jackson State Forest on Road 450, high and along the south bank of Hare Creek, a couple of miles in from the ocean. It was 51 degrees and foggy at the start but we almost immediately moved into the sunshine. Interesting, I thought, of how fast a dirt road can turn from wet and muddy into soft sand. Generally though, the road was good and the morning perfect.

Present this morning were: Joyce, Gay, Mark, Maddelyn, Scott, John, Bob, Peter, Toni, Johnny, Brad, Randy, Kim, Tanya, Neil, Nancy and Tom (17).

Afterwards, 7 of us had a great (I think) breakfast at David's Restaurant in The Boatyard Center.

Good news! The trails at Russian Gulch and Van Damme State Parks are once again open and usable. No more stinging nettles or fallen trees or broken bridges! So,

NEXT SUNDAY, 8/8/10, 8:00 A.M., GROUP RUN/WALK/BIKE, VAN DAMME STATE PARK, beginning at the beach parking lot. There's a good minus tide that morning but it's at 4:30 in the morning so parking should not be a problem.

TUESDAYS, 7:00 A.M., Group Run/Walk, RUSSIAN GULCH STATE PARK, beginning on Point Cabrillo Drive, 1/10 of a mile north of it's south end.

THURSDAYS, 7:00 A.M., Group Run/Walk, VAN DAMME STATE PARK, beginning at the beach.

Remember, you can always (24x7) dial the message phone to double check on Sunday run locations, 964-9348.