Caspar Logging Roads

"Running is real and relatively simple --- but it ain't easy. -- Mark Will-Weber

Summer is here!  It was a nice, 53 degrees, sunny and calm when we met this morning.  John was busy this morning, both before and after our run, and so he took a few local photos earlier.  Thank you John.

Caspar Mill Pond, J. Loomis

There was a new runner this morning, Sarah, and she brought her son, Andrew.  Andrew rode his bike and it was nice to meet each of them.  Please come back again!  Also present:  Donna, Zelda, Fran, Geri, Nancy T., Roger, Mark, Charlene, Ron, John, Greg, Nancy and Tom (15).

Caspar Bay

Some of the venues that we have used in the past have become undesirable lately.  They have lots of loose rock or they're too far away for some.   There's a number of reasons that I hear for certain locations not being favored and I understand completely.  Luckily, we have a few that work well for almost any weekend and they are beautiful places to walk or to run.  Big River is one and with next weekend being the 4th of July weekend, I think it will be better than one of the parks.

Canada Goose at "Duck Pond"

Summer is a time for traveling and I know of trips being planned by Roger and by myself and I'm hoping Bob can step in and entertain us again with his great blogging.  If Bob is not available, I'd be happy to make any other Fog Dodger a moderator for the blog and they could post.  It isn't difficult, let me know.

Cow (I hope you knew that)

NEXT SUNDAY,  JULY 6TH @ 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.

Van Damme State Park

"Too many people have refused to begin running or have quickly dropped out of running programs because they "have no talent for it."  Ridiculous.  Talent has nothing to do with it.  The only thing that matters is mental discipline."--Amby Burfoot, The Principles Of Running

 John was at a ceramics class in Santa Cruz this past week.  His pictures therefore, are a little different.   I'm not sure which of these pots is John's, if any.                      ..........  Okay, I'm adding this comment later.  I have now found out that all of these pots are John's!  He is an amazing person!

Henry Cowell State Park, J. Loomis

We met at Van Damme State Park this morning.  It was a beautiful, 53, clear and calm.   The mud holes on the trail are finally drying out but the trail could definitely use some tender loving care.

J. Loomis

 I don't know if I saw all that were there.  I think:  Bob J., Charlene, Ron, Cindy, Jim, Toni, Roger, Mark, Fran, Greg, Geri, John,  Shari, Peter, Nancy and Tom (16).

Little River Indian, J. Loomis

 Five of us enjoyed breakfast at David's Restaurant.

Pigeon Point Lighthouse, J. Loomis

NEXT SUNDAY, JUNE 29 @ 8:00 A.M.:  CASPAR 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.

Ward Avenue

J. Loomis 

Happy Father's Day!

This morning, we were meeting at Ward Avenue, MacKerricher State Park.  Before leaving the house, I checked on MCN's weather site and the wind was steady at 9 mph and gusting to 18.  Driving across the Noyo Bridge, the ocean was really rough with huge whitecaps.  Nancy and I were trying to decide which way to go when we started our run.   Big surprise, on the beach, it seemed almost calm.  We had an absolutely beautiful run on a very low tide.   There weren't even any footprints to mark the sand.  Beautiful morning!!

J. Loomis

Present today:  Zelda,  Suzanne, Henry, Tonita, Gay, Mark,
Neil, Charlene, Ron, Fran, Nancy and Tom (12).

John wants to know if anyone can identify this flower?

J. Loomis

David's Restaurant was very busy with it being Father's Day.  Four of us had a very good breakfast there.

NEXT SUNDAY, JUNE 22ND @ 8:00 A.M.: VAN DAMME STATE PARK

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

"I'm afraid the reason so many new runners quit is because they never get past the point of feeling like they have to run."-- John Bingham, "Who Needs A Reason" Runner's World.

Thank you John, for this morning's pictures, all taken around our location this morning.   I'm waiting for another photo,  one of Keagan, only the second person to come in a baby jogger since 1998!  Keagan came with mom, Erin, and grandparents, Cherie and Keith, all long time Fog Dodgers!  It was nice to see them all again.  If that picture of Keagan shows up, I'll post it later.   He's a real cutie!

Thanks to Zelda, she brought a couple of guests along, Lala and Karl.  I really like it when Fog Dodgers bring their families and friends.  I think they like it!

Also present today:  Tonita, Mike, Bob J.,  Bob, Tom T., Nancy T., Roger, Charlene, Ron, Nancy B.,
Rick, Cheryl, Rod, Melissa, Fran, Orah, Steve, Henry, Fay, Jim, Shari, Peter, John, Joe, Nancy and Tom (33)

It's a beautiful morning!  At our start time, it was a sunny and calm 55 degrees, with only a few pesky mosquitoes.

What a nice turnout, 33, just four less than our previous best of 37, from June 30th of last year.  I was going to select Van Damme for next Sunday but in checking the tide tables, I see there is a -1.5 foot tide at 7:39.  That could make parking bad at Van Damme.  On the other hand, it can make for a wonderful beach run/walk or a run/walk along the Haul Road and headlands at Ward Ave.  Maybe if the weather is like today, we can shoot for that year old record of 37!

NEXT SUNDAY, June 15th @ 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.

Ten Mile River Logging Road

It was beautiful this morning.  We met at Ten Mile River and walked or ran the logging road.   At the end, there were mixed reviews, very nice, too hard of a surface, boring and, beautiful.  Whatever.  Sorry, I do feel your pleasures and dislikes, honest!

sculpture across the river, photo by J. Loomis

Present today:  Neil, Shari, Peter, Geri, Nancy T., Roger, Katie, Nichole, Bob J., Toni, Joe, Donna, Fay, John, Nancy and Tom (16).

J. Loomis

Part of what I like about this road, is that there are lots of different views and things to look at.  We see wildlife and flowers and if you watch the banks of the river, you spot an occasional boat or campsite.

Ten Mile River, J. Loomis

J. Loomis

John went up to Ten Mile River yesterday, to visit some friends.  Some of these photos were taken along the north side of the river, others from along today's course.

Alder trees, Ten Mile River, J. Loomis

NEXT SUNDAY, June 8th @ 8:00 A.M.:  BIG RIVER LOGGING ROAD, see "Our Routes" above.  Remember,  if it's 50 or above and not much wind, you'd better bring your mosquito repellant.

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.