Big River and mosquitoes

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

Big River, J. Loomis

This morning, we ran and walked at Big River.   It was moved and seconded not to do so again during warm summer months.  To say the mosquitoes were bad would be a gross understatement.  And yet, there were a few, that said the mosquitoes never bother them, how lucky they are!

Big River mosquito, actual size, I think?

Other than my complaining in the first paragraph, it was a beautiful, warm and calm morning at Big River.   Thanks to Orah and Steve for bringing a guest, Peter.   Also present were:  Nancy T., Roger,
Nancy B., Rick, Cheryl, Rod, John, Neil, Shari, Peter, Fran, Donna, Toni, Joe, Nancy and Tom (19).

J. Loomis photo

I think that next week, we'll go somewhere away from the Big River mosquitoes.  How about,
NEXT SUNDAY, Sept. 7th @ 8:00 A.M.:  CASPAR LOGGING ROADS, See "Our Routes" above.  I like Caspar Logging Roads because there are actually 4 different routes you can walk or run,  so it will probably be the chosen venue more often than any other.

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

"Remember, the feeling you get from a good run is far better than the feeling you get from sitting around wishing you were running."-- Sarah Condor

Jogging our Memory

This morning was a pleasant 56 degrees, there was no wind, and measurable precipitation was .01 inches from the fog drizzle, requiring drivers to use the windshield wipers. The fog was high, allowing ambient lighting and fair visibility. Present today were John, Nancy, Rick, Steve, Orah, Geri, Toni, Joe, Melissa, Nichole, Katie, Fay, Joe D., Pat, Leon, Fran, Cheryl, and Bob, for a total of eighteen.

                How nice that we live in a place along the Pacific Coast that is saturated with a vast selection of wonderful hiking places and trails. All within reasonably close proximity to where we reside. The Fern Canyon Trail has long remained a favorite of many. This morning it was easy to see why. Walkers and joggers were greeted by the smell of camp-wood smoke that soon faded as they ventured further into the depth of the peaceful beauty and serenity of the canyon. Here Fog Dodgers now and then passed little tricklets of water expelled from the banks of the canyon walls, confluxing with that already softly splashing over the rocks and stream below. Walkers and joggers were also treated to the occasional sound of osprey calling from above the canopy of the tall fir.

                As some of us already know, more and more recent research shows that our brains benefit more from physical activity than from mental workout. Regular physical exercise appears to protect the brain from shrinking and helps us maintain memory and cognitive function. The best way to maximize the brain enriching effects of a game of chess is to pick a match across town and walk or run to it. So, literally speaking, let’s keep jogging our memory.

Thanks John Loomis for the beautiful photograph.

NEXT SUNDAY, AUG. 31ST @ 8:00 A.M.: BIG RIVER LOGGING ROAD, see "Our Routes".

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

"This book is the key to understanding how to increase your natural longevity and health, it is key to slowing global warming, and all of this at no cost, rather, at immeasurable savings to society."-- Mike Fremont, World Record Holder for Marathons for 88 and 90 year olds.  Speaking about the book, "Whole". 

Lyme Regis, England where Roger has his flat- taken before brakfast

I barely know where to begin with names for today.  I'm often complimented for remembering names but today sent me into overload.  Okay, there was Zelda, and she brought, Larry, Lala, Karl and David.  This is where I lose it.   Henry brought Larry, Ed, Tonita and ? (I'm sorry).  Also present:  Geri,  Melissa, Nichol, Cheryl, Bob, Toni, Joe, Donna, Pat, Leon, Nancy and Tom (22) and I'm sure that I have left somebody out, my apology.

Roger says England is very dog friendly, including pubs and restaurants

 We were at Russian Gulch today.  I guess you'd have to say that it was another perfect morning for walking or running, 55, calm and thin fog, giving way to sunshine up the trail a ways.

"A real breakfast", R. Thornburn.
£6.50 is $10.50, including tax.

John has sent me photos for today but I will save them for later.  Roger sent the photos here and it seemed right to post them while he’s still in Lyme Regis.  The Art Poster below though, is for John.  The show benefits the Art Center.

I think that Bob will blog next week but just in case, there are two walk/runs listed below.  Thanks for bringing family and friends.  It's a great group!

NEXT SUNDAY, AUG. 24TH @ 8:00 A.M.: VAN DAMME STATE PARK, see "Our Routes"
                                                                    AND, 
 SUNDAY, AUG. 31ST  @ 8:00 A.M.:  BIG RIVER LOGGING ROAD, see "Our Routes" 

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 Roads

"I ran and ran every day, and I acquired a sense of determination, this sense of spirit that I would never, never, give up, no matter what else happened." -- Wilma Rudolph 

photo by J. Loomis

It was a beautiful morning!  We met in Jackson State Forest on the Caspar Logging Road.  It was 54 degrees, with sunshine and no wind.  About 2/3 of the group went uphill on Road 500.  I thought that there might be more traffic on Road 500, due to deer season opening this weekend and therefore chose to go downhill on Road 600, behind the locked gate.  That's the best thing about this venue, it offers lots of choices.  Road 600 has lots of loose rock though, from the roadwork that has been going on.

So Caspar, J. Loomis

More Caspar real estate, J. Loomis

I feel that I missed a bunch of names this morning, the group looked so large.  All I can come up with is:  Barbara, Pat, Leon, Linda, Tom T., Toni, Joe, Gay (?), Mark, Geri, Charlene, Fran, Jennifer, Pete, Bob, John, Neil, Katie, Melissa, Nancy T., Fay and Tom (22).

J. Loomis

J. Loomis

NEXT SUNDAY, AUG. 17TH @ 8:00 A.M.: By request, 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.

Ten Mile River Logging Road

"I could run very fast.  After all, in Alabama, all we kids had to do was run, so we ran." --Jesse Owens

Naked Ladies, J. Loomis

See?  Many more berries in the days ahead.  

I thought it was nice this morning, up at Ten Mile River.  There was a high overcast and it was calm and 55 degrees.  It felt much better than the low fog and breeze in town.  I arrived at the last minute and so this is a real test!  Zelda was a big help, introducing me to the 5 (!) guests that she brought along.  There was Lala and Karl (actually their second walk), Cristina, David and Axelle (all the way from France!).  Thanks Zelda.  Also present today:  John, Greg, Tom T. (?), Fran, Gay, Mark, Neil, Nancy B., Toni, Joe, Nancy T. and Tom (18).  There, I hope I remembered everyone!

J.  Loomis

Ten Mile River Ranch, J. Loomis

There weren't as many ripe berries as I had hoped for but there were enough!  We enjoyed the blackberries and didn't walk or run quite as far as we would have.  There are so many "green" berries still on the vines, they will be plentiful for anyone wanting a return visit over the next few weeks.  Be careful up there during the week though, it is a private road and there is an active gravel plant with lots of trucks.





 Thank you John L. for today's pictures, all taken at Ten Mile and just before we walked and ran.

Hard to hide with ears like that!  

A cow, some fog and some nice xmas trees

NEXT SUNDAY, Aug. 10th @ 8:00 A.M.:  CASPAR LOGGING ROADS, see "Our Routes" above.  I know, we were just at Caspar on July 20th.  We are down to just six or seven locations and of those, only 3 or 4 that work well for everyone.  Caspar, Big River and Ward Avenue work really well and after all, they are beautiful places to walk or run.


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.