Caspar Logging Roads

"Set a goal and a program for yourself, and everything else will follow.  Guaranteed."-- Amby Burfoot, The Principles of Running

 Perfect morning for a run or walk in Jackson State Forest.  It was 50 degrees, calm and mostly overcast.  The few little showers we've had have cleaned the leaves of pollen and the ferns and wildflowers must be at their peak.

John took some wonderful pictures of Point Cabrillo a few days ago and then a few more around Caspar this morning.  His photos are all so good, I never know which ones to cut.  I try to get them all in.  Thank you, John!





Charlene brought her grand-daughter, Hayley, and a friend, Wyatt, thanks Charlene.  Also present: Fran, Neil, Greg, Gay, Mark, Joe, Nancy B., Rick, Nancy T., Roger, Jim, Joe, Geri, John, Linda, Tom T., Tonita, Mike, Orah, Steve, Nancy and Tom (25).

Point Cabrillo Light House

I'm having a hard time rotating our venue, just not enough places that work well.   Some are too far, too rocky, too steep or restrict dogs.  There are only a few that keep most of us happy.  So, forgive me for repeating some quite often, they just work well!   Next week's, Russian Gulch, works well but if you have a dog that needs the exercise also, then you just need to modify the course by staying out of Fern Canyon.  If you have some road or trail that you think would keep most of us happy, please let me know.

What kind of flower is this?  Caspar area.

Caspar Gargoyle

NEXT SUNDAY, MAY 4TH @ 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.

Van Damme State Park, Happy Easter

"It's very hard in the beginning to understand that the whole idea is not to beat the other runners.  Eventually you learn that the competition is against the little voice inside you that wants to quit." -- George Sheehan

This morning we met at Van Damme State Park.  It was 47 degrees with a slight breeze that made it feel colder.  The ocean was absolutely spectacular, well deserving of the "High Surf Advisory" in the weather forecasts.  Huge breakers and swells seemed to come from all directions.  Abalone divers, hoping to spend Easter Sunday diving, were mostly left on shore wondering what to do for the day.

Present today:  Jim, Neil, Nancy B., Rick, Shari, Peter, Nancy T., Roger, Charlene, Ron, John, Orah, Steve, Nancy and Tom (15).

Van Damme's Fern Canyon is really pretty right now.   I think the ferns must be at their peak, growth-wise, right now.  They are really beautiful.

abalone picker, J. Loomis

 Thank you John, for today's photos.  

Last week, Bob added a comment to the blog.  I just want to remind everyone, that anybody can post comments.  You may have to have a Google account or something but I think most of us do.  I think that comments can even be posted anonymously.

California poppies, J. Loomis

Jack Peters Creek, J. Loomis

NEXT SUNDAY, April 27 @ 8:00 A.M.:  CASPAR LOGGING ROAD, see "Our Routes" above.  Great for biking, running, hiking, with or without dogs!

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.

They're ba-aaaaack

"I'm not saying running could solve all of the world's problems, but I think it would be a good start." -- John Bingham

Yes, they're back.  It seems that whenever the mornings get up to 50 degrees, the Big River "Tiger Mosquitoes" come out.  This morning, they were out with a vengeance!!  Hope they don't deter Jim, a new attendee today, from returning.  Nice to meet you, Jim.

John stayed out late last night and got up early this morning, to take photos to share with us.  Thank you very much, John.  I'll see if I can get them all on here somehow.

Mendocino, J. Loomis

Noyo River Bridge, J. Loomis

 Besides Jim, also present today were:  Bob J., Donna, Nancy T., Roger, Geri, Toni, Fay, Charlene, Ron, Joel, John, Cheryl, Rod, Neil, Jan, Nichole, Katie, Nancy and Tom (20).

Rod took a pretty good dive about 3/4 of a mile in and limped back with aching ribs.  We hope he's okay.






It doesn't seem possible but it has been six months since we last met at Van Damme State Park.  I guess that's because some of us visit the park each Thursday and frankly, it has been a muddy mess!  Most of the mud is near the turn around point for the walkers and so hopefully it's not a problem.  It used to be our favorite venue, now something we complain about weekly.   Other than the muddy trail, Fern Canyon is beautiful and a great walk!




                                                                           

Hawaiian Chieftain, J. Loomis

 

Ship's knot, J. Loomis

NEXT SUNDAY, APRIL 20 @ 8:00 A.M.:  VAN DAMME STATE PARK,  see "Our Routes" above.   .............  I'm adding this addendum on Friday the 18th.  I just found out there's a minus tide at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday and it will be Easter Sunday.  Parking may be difficult and so I recommend that you arrive early, just in case you have to park along the highway or wherever, sorry.


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

"In a world that's quickly becoming so fast-paced that multi-tasking is a way of life, runners have managed to find a way to do something that's good for our heads, bodies, and spirits, and that provides wonderful social interaction." -- John Bingham

Lake Cleone, J. Loomis

Lake Cleone, J. Loomis

It was a perfect morning for walking or running at MacKerricher State Park.  At our start time, it was 46 degrees, sunny and calm.   The ocean was beautiful with about 5 surf breaks.   About half the group went north and upon the beach.  Half went south.

The tide was on it's way out and there was plenty of wet and almost flat sand to run and walk on.  Again, there were hundreds of broken sand dollars but I never saw a whole one.  They seem so solid, it's hard for me to grasp why they all end up broken.  

Present today:  Toni, Joe, Gay, Mark, Fay, Donna, Nancy T., Roger, Nancy B., Rick, Greg, Joel, Nichole, Katie, Charlene, Ron, Fran, John, Nancy and Tom (20).

Donna's mom, Jewell, one really sharp 92 year old (?), joined us for a great breakfast at David's.

Greater Yellowlegs, J. Loomis

NEXT SUNDAY, DATE @ 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.