CASPAR LOGGING ROAD

I felt lost without my thermometer this morning but I know it was "close" to 48 degrees and the skies were clear and not yet windy. It was a nice morning and it was nice to see such a large turnout of happy people! It is nice to have Peter back from Florida. I don't know what such a migrant is called. It's not a "snowbird", as Florida has no snow. I guess he's a "Summer Californian", just as my sister says they have in Texas, "Winter Texans". The "Winter Texans" all pull out when Spring Break arrives and the weather warms up in the north. (Following added after original posting): I'm still having trouble posting a comment but luckily have the luxury of being able to "edit" my post. Upon further contemplation, I guess Peter is a "snowbird", as he left California to spend the winter in Florida. I had just never considered Californians as being snowbirds. Is that what our "warm" California weather has come to?

Present today were Peter, Gay, Mark, Geri, Cynthia, Chuck, Toni, Cindy, Jim, Rick, John, Nancy T., Roger, Cheryl, Neil, Fran, Pat, Nancy B., Nancy and Tom (20).

Joining 11 of us at David's for breakfast was Brad. Kira continues to improve things at David's. The menu seems to work well but we always present a challenge (mainly for the cooks, I think) when we arrive as a large group. Today, our group of 11 arrived just after another large group, probably of 16 or so, had arrived. It slows things down and mixes them up a little, but Kira takes it all in stride, continuing to smile and make things right.

NEXT SUNDAY, JUNE 5TH, @ 8:00 A.M.: TEN MILE RIVER LOGGING 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.

Navarro Ridge, Beyond Thunderdome

Photo by John Loomis

Last year, on May 23rd, Johnny asked in this blog, "Someone please, please remind us! Next year, before the fourth Sunday of May, we should find out the course for the California 10,000". I thought that must be the name of the motorcycle ride we encountered and named it that because it seemed to have that many bikes. Well, we all failed to remember it on this 4th Sunday of May and today we again shared the road with "The Sheetiron 300". Johnny found that this is the real name for this annual event and that they ride from Stonyford to Fort Bragg on Saturday and then back to Stonyford on Sunday.

As far as the "Beyond Thunderdome" title of the blog, it was just how Johnny felt as he counted 86 bikes pass him going out and 192 on his way back. No Tina Turner or Mel Gibson though, at least no that we could identify with all that garb they wear, including helmet cameras on some!


Otherwise, it was a nice morning on Navarro Ridge, 50 degrees, mostly sunny and a moderate breeze. Present this morning were: Geri, Fran, Kathy, Steve, Bob, Nancy T., Roger, John, Johnny, Laurie, Nancy and Tom (12).

NEXT SUNDAY, DATE @ 8:00 A.M.: CASPAR LOGGING 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.

Van Damme State Park

Not a morning for a casual walk or run, it was around 45F and the rain that had been promised for the entire weekend finally arrived. I really think the folks at Van Damme should get some new trees - theirs keep falling down.


Anyway, a faithful few did show up to muddy their shoes - Toni, John, Tanya, Rod, Maribeth, Elaine, Deb, Sam and Johnny (9). Afterwards, Deb, Sam and Elaine went to Little River Inn for breakfast, and Toni joined Brad and me at David's Deli.


NEXT SUNDAY, May 22, 2011 @ 8 AM: It was pretty squishy today, and it's supposed to rain for the next 2-3 days as well as next Sunday, so pavement sounds most reasonable. Since it will be the 4th Sunday (already!), Navarro seems a reasonable choice. I know it's a long drive for many, so consider carpooling whenever you can, and don't forget breakfast at the Whitesboro Grange when you're making those plans!

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.

Big River

The Ron Jahelka Trail proved to be a perfect place to start this special day. Unusually low tide and green grass framed the action as a league of 11 gathered at the trail head watching Big River flow only a short distance from where it is swallowed by the sea. Osprey were giving a welcoming cry. The mosquitoes were mysteriously absent. Everyone was on the move at the stroke of 8:00 AM.

The temperature was a warm 50 at the outset but the weather seemed undecided "do I rain or do I shine." Soon the sun prevailed and gave way to a beautiful day.

Present were Chuck, Geri, Fran, Pat, Rick C., early start Kim, Heather, Nancy, Rick B., John, and Bob. Some mothers may have stayed home to receive their ritualistic breakfast in bed.

Afterward, some discussed having brunch at Little River Inn, others went home to honor their Moms, and one went home to listen to the sounds of Scottish fiddles on Oak and Thorn.

If you haven't yet seen John Loomis's ceramic work and get the opportunity, check out his Sea Urchin series.

Penny and Al we miss you.

Happy Mother day to all of the wonderful Mothers in the world.

NEXT SUNDAY, May 15 @ 8:00 A.M.: Van Damme Park, beginning at the beach

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 Logging Road

It was 41, sunny and calm this morning as we met at the Fort Bragg Police Department. Johnny brought an example, or a duplicate model of, The Golden Egg. Last week, in the Annual Easter Egg Hunt, The Golden Egg mysteriously disappeared and as best as we can figure, it had to have been taken by a squirrel or dog or ?????

We were all early and talkative this morning. Present were: Geri, Jan, Marc, John, Johnny, Cindy, Jim, Fran, Randy, Melissa I., Bob, Gay, Mark, Nancy and Tom (15). Fifteen of us started at 8:00 sharp but then John, Jan, Marc, Nancy and Tom turned around after just ten minutes and returned to go to the Boontling Classic. I'm not sure if any of the others went to breakfast after the run/walk or where they may have gone.

Congratulations to Nancy and to Marc for First Place finishes, Marc for 1st overall walker and Nancy, 1st runner in her age group. Tom (just a little ahead of John) got Third in his running group and Jan got 3rd Place overall female walker. Seems like the Anderson Valley is still "closed for winter" as we tried two different restaurants for lunch to no avail.


Thanks to Rick B. for the Big River photo. It's where we'll be next week.

NEXT SUNDAY, MAY 8TH, @ 8:00 A.M.: THE RON JAHELKA TRAIL along Big River, (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.