Easter at Russian Gulch

It was a perfect running or walking morning at Russian Gulch.  Happy Easter everyone!  It was about 50 degrees with partly cloudy skies and no wind.


Caspar Daffodils, J. Loomis



Trilliums, J. Loomis










One nice thing about reporting the names of each week's attendees, is that it helps us figure out who is who or remember a name not yet completely familiar.  By including the names of our four legged friends, it confused this process a bit and so, after just a couple of short weeks, this writer is abandoning the practice of naming those using four feet.  Runners and walkers present this morning were:  Ginny, Terry, Sarah, Rod, John (thanks for the pictures!), Charlene, Ron, Cheryl, Neil, Greg, Craig, Gay, Mark, Suzi, Toni, Joe, Nancy and Tom (18).

Easter Turkey, J. Loomis

NEXT SUNDAY, April 7th @ 8:00 A.M.:  BIG 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 Road

Bob, for the blog two weeks ago (but posted by Roger) and Roger, for last week's blog, sort have moved the writing bar higher.  Gay reminded me of this when we met this morning, by telling me that I now had to include the name of our four-legged friends!  Both Bob and Roger are excellent writers and serve to remind me not to get lazy.  So, I'll try to report more than just the weather and attendance.  John is a big help, by going out each week, sometimes multiple times, and taking photos of interest on and around our venue for the week.  Today, he's given me six and they are all good.  Hopefully, I can squeeze them in around the page.  Remember, you can "click" on the photos and see the full sized ones.

 Plum tree, Spring is here!


      Albion River cattle grazing.






A beautiful picture of the mouth of the Navarro River.

                        Navarro Ridge barn          

                                               Highway One at Dark Gulch

Turkey, wanting to get inside the fence.
 
It was bright this morning, with the sun right in our eyes.  Sunshine was  good though, since it was 38 degrees.  No wind, and really a very nice morning for walking and running.

Present were:  Craig and Scout, Nancy T. and Roger and Abby, Jennifer, Pete and Rhubi (short for Rhubarb!), Gay, Mark and Snow, Ginny, Terry, Bob, John, Tanya, Charlene, Ron (welcome back!), Nancy B., Nancy and Tom (17).

Congratulations to Bob (1st Place), John (2nd Place), Rod (3rd Place) and Sarah (2nd Place) in last Saturday's 5K Whale Run!

I think that they are about to reopen the local State Parks so this might be our last chance to walk and run without waking up the campers, so,

NEXT SUNDAY, March 31st @ 8:00 A.M.: RUSSIAN GULCH STATE PARK, see "Our Routes" above.Type location and directions here.  3/26:  The parks are again open for camping so we'll try not to wake late sleepers.  Dogs are not allowed in Fern Canyon but there is still plenty of trail to walk around the headlands and 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.

Caspar Logging Road

Pussy willow at Fern Creek

Wow, what a turnout.  Great to see so many faces we haven't seen for a while - with a particular welcome back to Geri who hasn't been able to join us for nearly a year.

It was another beautiful day on the coast, with a temperature of 48 when we started, and clear blue skies the whole way.

Caspar Orchard Road

There were 25 humans and 7 canines on the walk.  Not having Tom's amazing memory, I resorted to pen and paper - the problem being diciphering my writing!  So, with apologies if I missed anyone - John L., Craig, Terry, Ginny, Joe, Toni, Nancy B., Rick, Geri, Sarah, Rick C., Greg, Mark, Gay, Henry, Suzanne, Sarah B., Neil, Cheryl, Charlene, Tom, Linda, Katrina, Roger, Nancy T. and with four legs - Juno, Benny, Scout, Snowy, Molly, Missy and Abby.  To undo the damage we'd done walking, 12 of us went on to breakfast at David's, where we were served by the always chipper Simone.

Some of us also enjoyed similar gorgeous weather yesterday on the 29th. Annual Whale Run & Walk.  John L. and Sarah both come in 2nd in their groups, Bob came first in his group and Nancy and Roger just enjoyed the fun walk.  More apologies if I didn't hear the results for any more of our group.

Caspar Creek

Fortunately, Tom and Nancy will be back next week and Tom can resume his duties as scribe - phew!!

Thanks again to John for the great photos taken today and a few days ago, reminding us that spring has really arrived, and how wonderful it is to enjoy the fresh, brightly colored flowers.

NEXT SUNDAY, DATE @ 8:00 A.M.: NAVARRO RIDGE (see Our Routes above) as it's Pancake Breakfast and that lovely blackberry sauce at the Grange.
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.

Big River Logging Road

Mendocino and Big River

Congratulations runners and walkers for getting up before the sun this morning and making an almost perfect transition to daylight time. Most arrived at Big River early to find a high covering of fog floating slowly down the canyon accompanied by a beautiful and refreshing stiff breeze from the east 38 degrees cool.

Little Lake House

Although one or two walkers strayed in on the heels of the starters Fran made sure the action started promptly at 8 AM ensuring that the only one Fog Dodger rule remained untarnished. And once again unfettered, fleet feet found firm footing on the Ron Jahleka Trail. Present were Greg, Fran, Charlene, John, Cheryl W., Terry, Ginny, Mark, Gay, Craig, Mary Ellen, Neil, Cheryl, Joe, and Bob. Please excuse if I have omitted anyone that was present and be sure to go to the comment page and announce your participation. At the end of the run we were rewarded with some blue sky and the promise of a spectacular day.
Once again, thanks to John for the photos.  Nice morning shot of the cottage - but I have no idea where it is!

NEXT SUNDAY, DATE @ 8:00 A.M.: CASPAR LOGGING ROAD (JACKSON STATE FOREST ROAD 500) - 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.

Hare Creek, JSF Road 450

It's almost Spring!  Thank you, John, for today's pictures!  Clearly, Spring is coming.   We really covered Hare Creek this morning.  On the north side, off of Gravel Pit Road, were:  Sarah, Jennifer, Rick C. and Craig.  On the south side, off of Simpson Lane, were:  Neil, Fran, Nancy T., Roger, Bob, John, Greg, Gay, Mark, Ginny, Terry, Toni, Joe, Nancy and Tom (19).  I'm sorry for those that ended up on the wrong side of the creek.  In the future, I will try not to use  the words "Hare Creek" when referring to the Road 450 run/walk.  For those on the wrong side today, you are not alone.  It has happened many times.







 It was 45 degrees under blue skies this morning and just right for walking and running.  The poor lady in the red van probably wishes that she had chosen a different spot to space out this morning.  We were all happy that she didn't key our cars or spin donuts while we were out.

 
NEXT SUNDAY, March 10th @ 8:00 A.M., PACIFIC DAYLIGHT TIME: BIG RIVER LOGGING ROAD.
 
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.