NAVARRO RIDGE ROAD & Whitesboro Grange

This morning was our first Spring run/walk! We were on Navarro Ridge Road and I guess we weren't meant to experience Spring just yet. We were dealt another winter morning, 45 degrees, dark gray and a drizzle that seemed to be in our face going both east and west. It was fun though, nice to see Fran, Bob, Nancy T., Roger, John and Nancy R (and me makes 7). John drove up the ridge and took a couple of photos a few days ago. Gives us something to look forward to when Spring truly does arrive. Thanks John for the photos.

Five of us enjoyed the Whitesboro Grange Pancake Breakfast.

NEXT SUNDAY, April 3rd @ 8:00 A.M.: RON JAHELKA TRAIL, along Big River (See "Our Routes" above) If there is enough interest, we may go to the Little River Inn for breakfast (so for those that perspire, an extra shirt is a good idea). Other possibilities would be in Fort Bragg, as the Bayview is closed right now.

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

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

TEN MILE RIVER LOGGING ROAD

Last week, Johnny decided that the best place to run and walk this week would be the Ten Mile River Logging Road, since the weather forecast was for rain on 9 out the next 10 days. Johnny was right and the meteorologists were right, it has rained all week and Ten Mile River was a good choice, since it is paved.

Many Fog Dodgers probably decided to wait just a bit longer since the Vernal Equinox or the beginning of Spring wasn't going to happen until later this afternoon, 4:21 p.m. Those that waited missed a glorious example of winter, too bad. Nancy and I arrived about 8 minutes early, Johnny was already there. We each opened our windows a few inches (it was pouring!) to say hi and agreed to not get out and be sociable just yet. Very soon, Toni, Nancy and John arrived (6). It was quite dark, windy, a cold 45 and rainy, a great example of winter!

Photo by John Loomis A Mendocino goose taken two days ago, on a rainy Friday.

At the 8:00 a.m. start, the rain let up and Johnny took off like a Wild Hare as the other 5 of us walked a good pace up the river. It was a very good walk and run.

Afterward, five of us were joined by Brad, Orah and Steve at David's where we got a sneak preview of Kira's new menu, which Brad is helping Kira create. Kira is doing a great job and slowly correcting the things needing to be changed, from decor to staff to menu, whatever needs tweaking. We had a great breakfast.

The forecast for this week is similar to last week's, rain most every day. Don't wait for Summer, you might miss Spring, instead, join us next Sunday at..........................

NEXT SUNDAY, March 27 @ 8:00 A.M.: NAVARRO RIDGE ROAD (see "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 its south end.

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

A&W or Noyo Logging Road/GP Haul Road

Ominous clouds, a few light sprinkles and a mean easterly head wind could not deter us from our run/walk today, commiserating one another with our differing versions of annoying alarm clock stories.... On the other hand, it was a rather civil 53F to start, even if the sun wasn't fully awake here yet.

The faithful today included Toni, John, Larry T, Scott, Roger, Nancy T, Nancy B, Geri, Orah, Steve, Hector, Bob, Neil and Johnny (14). Ten of us had breakfast at David's Deli, joined by Brad and Larry's parents, Art and Dee, and his sister Nancy (14!).

NEXT SUNDAY, March 20 @ 8 AM: The 10-day forecast says it's supposed to rain for 9 of those, right through to March 21. My bias to run on softer dirt whenever possible does not include slogging through mud except on special occasions, so I'm opting for Ten Mile River Logging Road next week. See "Our Routes" tab above. Note: If you ever have a particular venue in mind, just let the bloggers know (Tom, Johnny, Roger, Bob) and we'll be glad to accommodate your wish, as long as it satisfies our whim, of course.

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.

Caspar Logging Road

What timing! The rain started at 9.01am, just after the six of us finished our run/walk.

With it being my turn to write the blog and my terrible memory for names, I thought I would have to break with tradition. But with only Melissa, Bob, John, Roger, Nancy and Abby - and one being my wife and the other my dog - I was in luck! Tom will be pleased.

The temperature was a balmy 53° with no wind. After a night of rain, the air smelt so fresh it was a joy to be walking.

After the walk, Roger and Nancy had a very enjoyable breakfast at Café One with Abby recovering from the walk - sleeping in the car.

Once again, thanks to John L. who stopped by the Botanical Gardens early this morning to get this photo of spring "breaking out"

Don't forget - Daylight Saving Time starts next Sunday at 2am - so our walk will be starting at 7am "old time"!

NEXT SUNDAY, March 13th @ 8:00 A.M.: "A&W"/GEORGIA PACIFIC HAUL ROAD (a.k.a. NOYO RIVER LOGGING ROAD) - See our route tab 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.