Pudding Creek Trestle/Coastal Trail

"For me, running is a great way to jump-start my day, boost my energy, and have a few minutes to plan and prioritize my schedule."-- Michael Dell

Oh, what a beautiful morning!  Did that get you to singing?  Not the purpose, it was just that kind of morning.   We checked out the new section of the Coastal Trail today.  It was just the north half of the old mill property, as it hasn't been linked to the south half yet.  They will eventually meet in the middle at Soldier Bay (?) or Fort Bragg Landing (?) or at the City Water Treatment Plant, your choice of names.  It is already a beautiful trail and will be so much better when it goes all the way from Noyo to Pudding Creek.

view from Coastal Trail, R. Thornburn photo

It was 50 degrees this morning, with calm and clear blue skies.  The large surf of the past couple of days has gone down but still remained beautiful.

Pudding Creek Trestle, J. Loomis photo

It was really nice to have four new people today.  They are friends of Katie and Melissa and I hope they will return (they are runners!!!!).  Well, at least two of them are runners, Lisa and Tabi.  Along for a free ride (in the baby jogger) were Linnaea and Zavier.  Thanks to all six of you!

Odd Couple, J. Loomis photo

Others present today:  Chuck, Charlene, Caroline, Richard, Joel, Cheryl, Laura, Cyd, John, Nancy T., Roger, Geri, Nancy B., Rick, Deb, Sam, Toni, Joe, Gay, Mark, Suzanne, Henry, Donna, Nancy and Tom (31).

Turkey vultures, J. Loomis photo

 Next weekend, Cyd is doing the 100K Ordinance Run in Monterey.  Good luck Cyd!  And, Happy Birthday to John (tomorrow) and thank you for the photos!

NEXT SUNDAY, FEB. 1ST @ 8:00 A.M.:  RUSSIAN GULCH STATE PARK, see "Our Routes" above.  I asked John to choose the venue because I will have to be on the computer at 8:00, trying to reserve a campsite with ReserveAmerica but I hope to see you all at breakfast after the run/walk.

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

"Is it raining?  That doesn't matter.  Am I tired?  That doesn't matter, either.  Then willpower will be no problem." -- Emil Zatopek

Big River, King tide, J. Loomis photo

We were pleasantly surprised upon arrival at Big River this morning.  It was 57 degrees, that's nice, but unlike the clear skies that current radar and satellite imagery were showing, it was raining!  I didn't expect such a nice turnout, hence the 'pleasantly surprised'.  Sometimes on the coast here, it just keeps on drizzling or raining, long after the last clouds disappear from satellite view or raindrops from the radar, I don't understand that.

J. Loomis photo

 Present this morning:  Nancy B., Rick, Orah, Steve, Deb, Sam, Cheryl, Laura, Melissa, Katie, John, Geri, Donna, Judith, Cyd, Jennifer, Nancy and Tom (18).  Sheila joined us for breakfast at David's.

Thanks, John, for so many nice photos.

NEXT SUNDAY, JANUARY 25 @ 8:00 A.M.:  PUDDING CREEK TRESTLE, see "Our Routes" above.  I have heard that the barricades have been taken down and the north half of the new coastal trail along the former mill property is now open.  We intend to run and walk from the Pudding Creek Trestle, to the south to check out the new trail.

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.  Yaay! It is beginning to get lighter in the mornings now.

EVERY THURSDAY @ 7:00 A.M.: VAN DAMME STATE PARK, beginning at the beach.

Ward Avenue

"Go fast enough to get there, but slow enough to see."-- Jimmy Buffett

Lake Cleone, J. Loomis

It's nice to have John back, thanks for the photos!  As nice as it is to have John back, we're sorry to see Fay leave.  Thanks, Fay, for bringing a guest, Jim, today and best wishes to you on your journey.

J. Loomis photo

Also with us this morning, John's brother-in-law, Jim.  Actually, he ran a little earlier than us but was there to see us off.  Jim has been doing the Tuesday/Thursday runs with us.  Others present:  Cyd, Melissa, Katie, Fran, Charlene, Gay, Mark, Deb, Sam, Toni, Joe, Nancy B., Rick, Barbara, Zelda, Tom T., Nancy and Tom (22).

J. Loomis photo

 It was a good morning to run or to walk, 45 degrees, partly cloudy and calm.   The ocean was beautiful and it created a light hazy condition.  The pink team (minus Nancy) ran north along the beach and I'm not sure how many walkers went that way.  Nancy, John and I went south, along with many hikers.  It was interesting to see the efforts that State Parks is making towards removing the invasive ice plant.  It is a monumental job!

J. Loomis photo

 At 8:00 next Sunday, it will be high tide at 6.9 feet.  It will be nice to see Big River with all the mud flats flooded.  Where do the mosquitoes go when it floods?  For that matter, where do they hibernate or whatever when it's cold?  The forecast right now, calls for a chance of rain next weekend but that doesn't hurt the Big River Haul Road.

NEXT SUNDAY, JANUARY 18TH @ 8:00 A.M.:  BIG RIVER HAUL 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.

Russian Gulch

"You, sir, are the greatest athlete in the world."  Thanks, King."-- Exchange between Gustav V of Sweeden and Jim Thorpe at the 1912 Olympics.

R. Thornburn photo, Russian Gulch

 

This morning we met at Russian Gulch.  Conditions were perfect for hiking or running, 46 degrees, cloudy, calm and dry.  It was a great way to start another year.  Happy New Year to all!

Present today:  Deb, Charlene, Judith, Fay, Donna, Shari, Peter, Nancy B., Toni, Joe, Cyd, Laura, Cheryl, Nancy and Tom (15).

Russian Gulch Hwy. One Bridge
J. Loomis photo

Lately, it's been really dark at 7:00 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but there's only another week or so before the sun starts rising earlier each day.  I think we'll make it without changing our starting time.  In years past, we moved starting time to 7:15 for two or three weeks.

David's was very nice for breakfast today, it always is!

NEXT SUNDAY, DATE @ 8:00 A.M.:  WARD AVENUE, see "Our Routes" above.  The tide will be about 3.0 feet, not great but it will be going out and the beach runable.  The Haul Road going south and the headlands are really nice too!

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.