Big River Road

"Running allows me to recharge my batteries.  A good run adds a little bounce to my step." -- George W. Bush

While running at Van Damme 10 days ago, John, spotted a steelhead trout in the creek.  We had just had a good rain.  So, after our run, John grabs his camera bag, and heads all the way back to Bridge 8, no small feat in itself, photographing each bridge along the way.  I'll post a couple of the bridge pictures here and the fish he found at Bridge 8.   Thank you,  John

    Bridge 1, Van Damme's Fern Canyon 

Bridge 8, Fern Canyon

           
These photos were all taken by J. Loomis.   There's more but I'll save the others for later.

Steelhead Trout, Van Damme State Park

This morning, we met at Big River.  It was overcast and 44 degrees with just a slight breeze.  It was a good morning for walking and running and even bike riding.  Present today:  Zelda, Donna, Cindy, Jim, Fran, Geri, Greg, Henry, Tom T., Cheryl, Neil, Nancy B., Rick. Shari, Peter, Orah, Steve, Faye, Katie, Nichole, Melissa, Joel, Bob, John, Nancy and Tom (26).




Bob says that he'll write the blog next week, probably.  Hopefully he or Roger will do the blog on the 9th and 16th also.  I'm taking a break.  Please come and support the group and have a good time.  I'm picking the locations for the next three run/walks, just in case Bob or Roger can't.

NEXT SUNDAY, March 2nd @ 8:00 A.M.:  Caspar Logging Road, see "Our Routes" above.

SUNNDAY, MARCH 9TH, JACKSON STATE FOREST ROAD 450,  the one off Simpson Lane, see "Our Routes" above.  Hopefully it won't be too muddy.

SUNDAY,  MARCH 16TH,  BIG RIVER 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.

Ward Avenue

"I always cringe inside when people say running comes naturally to me, that training is an uplifting joy.  That's not why I race well.  I'm competitive." - - Eamonn Coughlan

John took some great photos of Van Damme this week.  I was going to use a few of them but then he took some more this morning and I think these depict the morning very nicely.  Thank you, John.

Wet all week but it looks better now.
photo by J. Loomis

What a beautiful morning!  We met at Ward Avenue.  It was sunny and clear, 42 degrees and calm.  I chose to run on the beach, since I had taken the road on our last visit.  It was absolutely perfect!  It was fun, trying to find a "whole" sand dollar, never did, and stepping over the jellyfish and running from the incoming waves.   The ocean, dunes, coastal mountains and blue sky, were all beautiful today.



Present this morning:  Donna, Zelda, Cheryl, Neil, Cindy, Jim, Greg, Shari, Peter, Nancy T., Roger, Geri, Charlene, Ron, Toni, Joe, Nancy and Tom (18, is that all?).

Cleone Lake, J. Loomis

Seven of us went to David's Restaurant for breakfast.  I continue to be amazed by Kira's energy, attitude and success.   She has really turned around a failing business.

I'm still uncertain as to when State Parks is going to temporarily close the Big River Road.  I thought that I had read very soon, and that was about a month ago.  Until it is closed, we will go to often, as it is central for all of us and doesn't get too muddy.  So,

J. Loomis photo

NEXT SUNDAY, Feb. 23rd @ 8:00 A.M.:  BIG RIVER 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.

The Ron Jahelka Trail (Big River)

"Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body, it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity."-- John F. Kennedy

turkeys, photo by J. Loomis, 2 days ago

It was a great morning!  I think luck played a big part.  We've been getting plenty of rain the past few days and it was forecast to be heavy showers today but the rain god held back for the Fog Dodgers!  It was 50, a little drizzly but generally just right for both running and walking.

J. Loomis, this morning at Big River

 Present this morning:  Deb, Sam, Geri, Mark, Nancy T., Roger, Joel, Bob, Melissa, Nichole, Katie, John, Rod, Nancy and Tom (15).


I was so happy with the trail repairs made at MacKerricher when we were there a couple of weeks ago, I would like to go there again.  The weather forecast for next Sunday (if you can believe in such things) is for sunshine and light winds.  The tide at 8:00 will be about half way between high and low, around 4 feet, and so we'll have the option of using either the Haul Road and trails or using the beach.  It will be another great day!

NEXT SUNDAY, Feb. 16th @ 8:00 A.M.: WARD AVENUE, 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

"Running is a thing worth doing not because of the future rewards it bestows, but because of how it feeds our bodies and minds and souls in the present." -- Kevin Nelson, The Runner's Book of Daily Inspiration

John went out yesterday to take a picture of today's venue.  Today, was different enough to warrant another picture, before and after, thanks John!

Russian Gulch State Park, J. Loomis

J. Loomis

Phil saw his shadow this morning, six more weeks of winter.  Winter won't be bad, if we can have enough days like this, rainy and cold.  We've had lots of cold so far but very little rain, and so this morning was kind of nice.  l could have predicted that not many would show up but I was surprised that there were eight runners and no walkers.  I was going to give each of us runners two gold stars in the attendance book.  At the last minute, Joe showed up.  As the ONLY walker, Joe gets four gold stars!!  The runners were:  Melissa, Nichole, Katie, Joel, Rod, John, Nancy and me (9).

Between 5 a.m. and 11 a.m. this morning, we had .37 inches of rain.  Not a real gully washer but it was enough, that Nancy exclaimed, "Listen, you can hear the stream!"  That was at that nice place about a mile in on the Fern Canyon Trail, where falling boulders and logs have created a little waterfall and stream obstruction.  So far this winter, it had been quieted by the severe drought.

7:00 A.M. ON TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS AGAIN.  Yes, we've turned the corner and the sun is rising earlier again.

NEXT SUNDAY, DATE @ 8:00 A.M.: 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.