Navarro Ridge Road

I think that most of us were impressed with this morning's sunrise.  I know that we started commenting about  it as soon as we headed out our driveway, and then several more times as we headed down the coast and east up the ridge.  John, as usual, was out a little earlier than the rest of us, always in search of "the perfect picture".   Thank you, John, for the two photos in this morning's blog, both taken on Navarro Ridge.

Both photos show the morning well, mostly sunny with a thin ground fog and 51 degrees.  Present this morning:  Nancy B., Rick, Toni, Joe, Charlene, Ron, Fran, Suzanne, Henry, Tanya, Ginny, Terry, John, Kathy, Steve, Nancy and Tom (17).  I think most stayed for the Grange Pancake Breakfast.

Nancy and I kind of miss the "quaintness" and good basic breakfasts but have moved on to plant based foods and are enjoying the Vegan Burritos at David's Restaurant.  This morning, we were joined by Kathy and Steve and it was great!

NEXT SUNDAY, NOV. 4TH, @ 8:00 A.M. PST!!: BIG RIVER LOGGING ROAD, see "Our Routes" above.  After the hills of Navarro Ridge, a couple of  us wanted a more "level" course next week.
  
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

Seaside Beach, thanks to John L.

It was a beautiful morning, .........................but very cold at 39 degrees and starting into a headwind didn't really help.  On mornings like this, everyone wants to jump the gun a bit.  We ran and walked the Ten Mile River Logging Road.  John's picture above, taken at Seaside Beach, which is about a mile north of our starting point, captures the morning very well.  Seaside Creek, just like Ten Mile River, is closed at the mouth, awaiting enough rain to swell the lagoon and  breach the sand bar keeping it from the ocean.  The water level in Ten Mile River  is about as high as it ever gets and it made for pretty views along today's route.

It was nice to see Hector back again, thanks Orah and Steve.  It was also good to see Sabine and Sean again, their second visit.  Also present today:  Toni, Joe, Ginny, Terry, Joel, John, Neil, Shari, Peter, Nancy T., Roger,  Nancy and Tom (18).


NEXT SUNDAY, OCTOBER 28TH @ 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.

Russian Gulch State Park

Though John was at Lake Shasta this morning, hopefully winning the Trout Derby, I was able to find a photo he took just over eight years ago.  It is pretty close to how it was this morning.  It was a warm (54) degree morning with a clearing light fog at our beginning and sunny when we finished.  It was a very nice morning for a run or a walk.  Thanks for the photo, John.

Present today:  Neil, Fran, Orah, Steve, Shari, Peter, Ginny, Terry, Rod, Bob, Henry, Toni, Joe, Kathy, Steve, Nancy and Tom (17).

NEXT SUNDAY, DATE @ 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.

Van Damme State Park, Fern Canyon

John was busy this morning taking photos before our run/walk.  I'll include a couple here now and save a couple for another day.  This one of the two kids in a deep discussion is just too cute.  It was taken by John on an earlier date while at Caspar Fest.  It will be going on display at the Ukiah Library and the Corners Gallery in Ukiah.  I got to see it on display at the County Fair.  It may well be a Classic.  The other, a sunrise shining on the fog bank offshore of Van Damme is just too pretty!  Thank you, John.  By the way, John won First Place in his (our's) age division at yesterday's Noyo River Run!  Nancy R. did also!  In the Race Walking Divisions, both Jan and Marc won First Place!

Welcome, Bob J., first time today and a new resident of Mendocino!  Thanks to Nancy B. for sending Bob our way.  I was involved in meeting Bob and not sure if all of the other faces present this morning caught my eye, forgive me if I missed you.  Also present:  Suzi, Elaine, Cindy, Jim, Orah, Steve, John, Tanya, Ginny, Terry, Kathy, Steve D., Toni, Joe, Charlene, Nancy and Tom (18).

State Parks has done a terrific job of weed whacking and trail clearing at Russian Gulch's Fern Canyon.  You can again walk or run side by side without worry of stinging nettles!  Therefore,

NEXT SUNDAY, Oct. 14th  @ 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.