Caspar Logging Roads

"Run when you can, walk if you have to, crawl if you must; just never give up." -- Dean Karnazes.

John couldn't run this morning, so he sent a few of his Caspar area photos, obviously taken at other times.  Thanks, John.

J. Loomis photo

 It was a nice morning for running or walking.  When we met, it was 41 degrees, calm and with  cloudless skies.  This morning, Cyd showed up, intentionally, after finding us accidentally last week.  Thanks for coming, Cyd.   Another first timer was Sheila (sp.?).  Thanks, Donna, for inviting her.  And returning for at least her third holiday visit, Mark's daughter, Sarah.   Shari and Peter brought their son, Nate, also a return visit.  Thanks to all.

After this morning's one hour run, Cyd, was going back out for a couple more hours, getting ready for an upcoming 100 K run!  For the 100 K, she'll have 17 hours to complete it.  That's inspiration!

J. Loomis photo

Also present today:  Cheryl, Laura, Fran, Fay, Pat, Leon, Nancy B., Rick, Nancy T., Roger, Toni, Joe, Neil, Judith, Nancy and Tom (24).

J. Loomis photo

Female Fog Dodger runners now outnumber the males and they make a pretty fast team.  It's kind of exciting to think of the group they would  make, if they'd  all show up on the same Sunday.  We love our hikers,  but we did start as a running group and I'd sure like to see more runners.   Presently, the walkers far outnumber the runners.   If you have a friend that walks or runs, bring them along!

NEXT SUNDAY, JANUARY 4TH @ 8:00 A.M.:  RUSSIAN GULCH STATE PARK, see "Our Routes" above.  Hopefully, our parking area won't be too muddy.  Lately it got pretty stirred up by the tree service trucks and heavy rainfall, but it should be okay by next week.

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.

Merry Christmas

John wanted to wish all of the Fog Dodgers a Merry Christmas.   This is a "special" post.  You can also read about last week's run/walk in the last post.

watercolor, John Loomis

NEXT SUNDAY, DEC. 28 @ 8:00 A.M.:  CASPAR 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.

Big River Logging Road

"Run often.  Run long.  But never outrun your joy of running." -- Julie Isphording

Big River,  J. Loomis

It was the kind of morning that we'd all been hoping for, for the past couple of years.  Warm (58), calm and wet!  At the start, we figured it was just fog, but before long, the mist turned into drops and before long, the puddles became deep enough to go over the soles and soak our socks.  It was great!

Big River, J. Loomis

 I apologize, for causing  our only "rule" to be broken.  I was involved in meeting a new person, Judith, and before I knew it, we were about 35 seconds late!  Thanks for coming, Judith.  Also, a little ways into our run, another runner, Cyd, caught up with us and I'm hoping she remembers the name of our group and can find us on the internet.  She lives locally and said she'd be interested in coming again.

Pudding Creek, J. Loomis

Others present today:  Charlene, Geri, Nancy T., Roger, Bob J., Rod, John, Bob, Katie, Melissa, Steve, Fay, Nancy and Tom (15).

The State Park trails are pretty soggy and there are a lot of trees down.  This limits the places we have to run and hike.  Next week's venue should be fine, no matter the weather and it is a favorite for those that want to exercise their dogs.

Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah and season's greetings to all!

 NEXT SUNDAY, DEC. 28 @ 8:00 A.M.:  CASPAR LOGGING ROADS, 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.

MacKerricher Haul Road

"Except for .001 percent of the running population, everyone's in the same exact position: there will always be people slower than you, and people faster."__ "Ask Miles," Runner's World.

Pudding Creek, J. Loomis photo

Mornings don't get much prettier than today's.  John's photo above shows how it looked but the photo doesn't tell how it felt.   It was 51 degrees, with a fairly strong southerly breeze.  It was dry-like and balmy (?),  you know, the way it is just before a rain.  Maybe it wasn't warm balmy but it was really nice and very pretty.

Festival Of Lights, J. Loomis photo

 Present this morning:  Nancy B., Rick, Janis, Cheryl, Rod, John, Cheryl N., Neil, Katie, Shari, Peter, Toni, Joe, Geri, Fran, Barbara, Donna, Zelda, Fay, Nancy and Tom (21).

Festival Of Lights, J. Loomis photo

 Thanks, John, for this morning's photos, all really nice!

Festival Of Lights, J. Loomis photo

After the run/walk, we all gathered at the Riley's for our Annual Holiday Potluck Breakfast and Cookie Exchange.  I'm still eating cookies as I type!  Darn it!  Not too many were left though, and I'm thankful for that.  It was a wonderful breakfast and great group of friends!  Thanks to everyone for contributing and attending.

NEXT SUNDAY, DEC. 21, 2014 @ 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

 “I like long walks, especialy when they are taken by people who annoy me.”
― Noël Coward

A good week on the coast  Plenty of rain and still very warm - in fact so warm our apple tree recently sent out new blossoms!  And a beautiful morning for walking.  In fact it turned out to be too warm for many of us that started out wearing a jacket.

Today's blog is a result of teamwork.  Nacy B. took names and I'm writing the blog in Tom's absence.  So, present today were Charlene plus neighbors Richard and Caroline, Donna, Fay, Gay, Geri, Jennifer, Joe, John L., Mark, Nancy B., Nancy T., Neil, Peter, Rick B., Roger, Sharri, Suzie and friend Anne, Toni (21).  Nine of us then went to Little River Inn for a great breakfast, to try and undo the damage we did walking.

Todays photos are of Van Damme State Park, courtesy of Google.
Tom's already selected the walk for next week so see you all Pudding Creek Trestle.   

Don't forget, next week is also the Annual Pot Luck Breakfast and Cookie Exchange, at Tom and Nancy's.

NEXT SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14TH, PUDDING CREEK TRESTLE, followed with our Annual Pot Luck Breakfast and Cookie Exchange, at Tom and Nancy's.   Bring any breakfast related item that you'd like.  You'll be able to follow someone after the walk if needed or ask Tom for written directions.  See you at Pudding Creek!

Oh yes, almost forgot, if you bring cookies to exchange, you must take cookies home.  Not fair to leave excess cookies behind for Tom.
 
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.