Russian Gulch State Park

Photos: Thanks to John Loomis

It was a nice morning here on the coast. We ran and walked Russian Gulch State Park and it was 47, clear and calm at our 8:00 a.m. start. Present today were: Charlene, Ron, Toni, Cheryl, Neil, John, Nancy T., Roger, Orah, Steve, Nancy B., Rick, Peter, Johnny, Nancy and Tom (16).


Eight of us joined Brad for breakfast at David's Restaurant. It was very good.

Congratulations to Nancy R. ("Energizer Bunny"), First Place yesterday in the Noyo River Run 5K. Also to Bob, Third Place in 5K.

NEXT SUNDAY, Nov. 6th, @ 8:00 A.M.: BIG RIVER ROAD, (The Ron Jahelka Trail), see "Our Routes" above. PACIFIC STANDARD TIME!!!

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.

JSF Rd. 450, Hare Creek

Thirteen of us, including Terry, a friend of Fran, showed up on this beautiful Fall morning. It was 51 degrees but felt warmer, clear and calm. Also present were: Fran, Cindy, Jim, Ron, Johnny, John, Tanya, Gay, Mark, Geri, Nancy and Tom. The road was just about perfect, no longer sandy, not yet muddy, truly a beautiful morning. John took this picture at the Bradley Arabian Stables, very close to our starting point.

Do you know how long it has been since we last met at Russian Gulch? I'll tell you, it was August 15, 2010, a little over 14 months ago. There's a good reason for this, fallen trees blocked the trail and then State Parks actually closed the trail for repair work to their water system. Well, it's open to the public again now but will probably be closed as soon as we get a "good" winter storm. We'll meet there next Sunday but I'll warn you now, there's a little mud and water in spots so wear your garden shoes or whatever. One should also be careful of the vegetation, nettles, blackberries and poison oak that is closing in on trail. This may be our first and last chance to run or walk there. If there's anyone that wants to walk there but doesn't handle that hill near the start/finish, they could borrow my free day use hang tag and operate a car pool to the bottom of the hill. You can park at the Recreation Building and walk the trails from there. It is possible to get a good walk in without ever getting to the wet or muddy parts, just walk the headlands trail or to the beach and back. It is a beautiful park.

NEXT SUNDAY, 10/30/11 @ 8:00 A.M.: RUSSIAN GULCH STATE PARK, 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 LOGGING ROAD

We had a "warm" (58 degree) run or walk this morning along the Noyo River. It was a very thick overcast that kept it so warm. It made for great running and walking conditions. Thanks to Toni, first photo and Peter, second photo. You can see how pretty the morning was! Interesting to me is that they seem to be almost the same photo, as seen thru two different camera "eyes".

Thanks Cheryl and Neil for bringing guests, Cathy and Larry (all the way from Missouri!). Also present were: Cindy, Jim, Charlene, Ron, Johnny, Bob, Geri, Toni, Peter, Gay, Mark, Orah, Steve, Nancy B., Rick, Nancy and Tom (21).

Twelve of us met Brad at David's Restaurant for a really good breakfast.

NEXT SUNDAY, 10/23/11 @ 8:00 A.M.: JACKSON STATE FOREST RD. 450, off of Simpson Lane. 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's Fern Canyon

John Loomis photos, Van Damme State Park, on our Thursday morning run. Thank you, John.

I've heard mention several times something called "Tom's Time". I guess it has something to do with our only Fog Dodger "Rule", that we always start at exactly 8:00 a.m. This morning, I decided to test this rule. Arriving 15 seconds after 8:00, I was sooooo happy to see the Fog Dodgers just heading across the highway, meaning that they started at precisely 8:00! Ron proudly claimed credit for having just checked his watch, setting it to the exact time by World Standards or something. Thanks Ron!

While mentioning Ron, I heard today that he has an excellent collection of Winter Landbirds on display at College of the Redwoods. It was said that anyone would enjoy seeing these and can do so at any time, as long as the college's front door is open, they're in the lobby.

Arriving 15 seconds late this morning, I'll apologize now if your name is omitted here. Those I saw were: John, Ron, Cindy, Jim, Elaine, Nancy B., Rick, Mark, Heather, Fran, Geri and Tom (12). Must have missed somebody, hmmm?

NEXT SUNDAY, 10/16/11 @ 8:00 A.M.: A&W LOGGING ROAD, aka Noyo 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.

MacKerricher Haul Road

I bet that some Fog Dodgers walked out the door this morning, found out that it was raining and decided to stay home and read the paper. Had any of you done that, you missed a great big rainbow (meaning there were holes in the clouds and sunshine) and a beautiful morning on the coast. John Loomis got a good picture that shows exactly how the morning was.

I forgot to check the thermometer but when I left home it was 57 and it felt the same at Pudding Creek. It was just a real nice morning for a walk or run.

Thank you, Gay and Mark, for bringing a guest, Betty, and thanks to Neil, for bringing David. Others enjoying the morning were: Nancy T., Roger, Toni, Randy, Nancy B., Rick, Johnny, Bob, Nancy and Tom (15). Nine of us met Brad at David's for a breakfast and lots of talk and problem solving.

And for reading this far, here's a bonus photo:

King Agaricus Augustus, very edible and "Choice", by John Loomis.


Next week, by request, we will hold off from my temptation to return to the A&W Road (once again open) and instead,

NEXT SUNDAY, 10/09/11 @ 8:00 A.M.: VAN DAMME STATE PARK, (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.