Russian Gulch State Park

The weather continues to be the subject of conversation.   We're sorry about the drought but what incredibly nice weather we've had along the Mendocino Coast.

Point Cabrillo Lighthouse, J. Loomis

Caspar home, J. Loomis photo

We met this morning at Russian Gulch.  It was 63 degrees (tying our warmest ever record) for our 8:00 start.    Thanks Sam and Deb for bringing niece, Lauren, and friend, Preston.  Also nice to have (Healdsburg) Tony back for his fourth visit.  Rick, it was good to see you back and looking good.  Also present:  Nancy B., Chuck, Sheila, Fran, Donna, Neil, Cheryl, Laura, John, Charlene, Ron, Joe, Zelda, Nancy and Tom (21).

August blooms, J. Loomis photo

"I see you!", J. Loomis photo

Next Sunday, we'll meet at Big River.  Yesterday, many of us met there for the 1st Annual Big River Run.  The morning was very, very warm but there were no mosquitoes.  I don't know if our luck will hold til next Sunday.

Early morning Caspar, J. Loomis photo

I should mention that the Fog Dodgers really did an excellent job at yesterday's Big River Run.   There are many divisions for age and distance and we represented most of them.  I haven't seen all of the results and didn't see everyone come in but I can mention that we won a lot of gold and silver medals.  Congratulations to Nancy (1), Tony Fleming (1), Bob (2), John (2), Tom (1), Randy (1), Nicholas Loomis (1), Cyd (3) and Marc, the overall race-walk winner!

NEXT SUNDAY, Sept. 6th @ 8:00 A.M.: BIG RIVER 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.  In a couple of weeks, we will probably switch the Thursday run to Big River due to darkness and mountain lion sightings at Van Damme.

Pudding Creek Trestle

We had an overcast walk and run, starting at the Trestle Bridge. We were a small, dedicated group today of runners, walkers and one biker, all of home headed north rather than south this time.

We noticed that the creek is covered with algae. I wish I'd had a camera or an iPhone with me to take a photo of the creek today. The colors were spectacular, but the water probably isn't good for the water critters. The water is standing because the river isn't flowing heavily enough to breach the sandbar and reach the ocean.

The runners included Bob C., Chandra and  Bruce, who rode his bike but is also a runner and a new member.  The walkers included Charlene, Donna, Fran, Neil, Peter, Tom T., Rick and Nancy, and Sheila, who I believe had her first walk with us thanks to Donna. Five of us enjoyed breakfast at David's, which wasn't nearly as busy as last Sunday. And we all miss Tom and Nancy! Looking forward to seeing you next week.

Future location: Sun. Sept. 6, 10 Mile Road

NEXT SUNDAY, DATE @ 8:00 A.M.: Russian Gulch 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.

Caspar Logging Roads

We had a small group today of three runners, six walkers and three dogs! We don't usually count the dogs but given how small our group was today, I figured we needed to add them. We were happy to have Bruce (runner) & Susan (walker) with their dog, Otis; Rick and I were there, Nancy T. was there with Abbey, who got to know Otis today, Tom T. and his dog Bennie and our other two runners were Bob and John. Six of us drove up to David's for a hearty breakfast.

Orange sun shining on an old barn.

Unlike Roger, I didn't keep track of the temperature, but it was a bit cooler but by the time we were leaving the warmth had us taking off jackets and hoodies.

 Smokey sunrise.

John didn't ask me to put in a plug in for the Mendocino College, but if you haven't yet signed up and are interested, it would be nice to add your community involvement by signing up for classes this semester. 




Your participation can help the College be more viable and help the Ukiah Campus keep it as a  Satellite. Here are some more words from one of John’s friends.

John's contributed his lovely photos of the Caspar Orchard Road area.

 Naked ladies decorating the fence.

NEXT SUNDAY, DATE @ 8:00 A.M.: Pudding Creek Trestle
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

This morning - calm waters

Van Damme Blue Blossom

Today, I’m starting a new tradition.  When I’m a guest “poster” of the blog, there’ll be no list of folks that joined in the Sunday festivities.  Some cynics might be thinking this is because I can never remember names, but really, I am being very thoughtful, avoiding embarrassing those that weren’t there!  However, I do have to mention that we had a whole bunch of new people that joined us today, but as I can’t remember all of those I was introduced to, just a big welcome to you all.

As always, John provided some of his wonderful photos.  Thanks John.  John also wanted me to put in a plug in for the Mendocino College, that it would be nice for some more community involvement signing up for classes this semester to make the College more viable and for the Ukiah Campus to keep it as a  Satellite....  Here are some more words from one of John’s friends

Nancy and I visited Rick, who you'll all be glad to hear, is recovering really well from his recent surgery. He’s already walking better than before the surgery, and by the time I get back from my trip to England, he’ll be dancing in the aisles.

It was a lovely 58° when we set off, and with global climate change continuing to keep our coast basking in glorious sunshine and warm, even hot temperatures, it was quite toasty by the time we got back.

Eleven of us enjoyed coffee, champagne and a wonderful breakfast at Little River Inn.  See you all in six weeks, when I’m sure I’ll return with a lot less tan then when I left.

NEXT SUNDAY, August 16th @ 8:00 A.M.: Caspar Logging Roads
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.

Sun. Aug. 23rd, Pudding Creek Trestle
Sun. Aug. 30, Russian Gulch
Sun. Sept. 6, Big River

Big River Logging Road

Egret, J. Loomis photo

It was 61 degrees, calm and overcast this morning.  I think that is just one degree below our all time record for our 8:00 a.m. start.  One morning, it was 62 on Navarro Ridge Road.  We are lucky to live and "play" in this area.

Thank you, John, for today's photos.

With the warm overcast morning, I didn't expect such a nice turnout.  The mosquitoes can be fierce when conditions are such.  But, present this day:  Chandra, Julie, Melissa, Katie, Tabi, Fran, Cindy, Deb, Sam, Nancy T., Roger, Charlene, Ron, Laura, Cheryl, John, Nancy and Tom (18).

J. Loomis photo
Sun. Aug. 9, Van Damme

Sun. Aug. 16th, Caspar Logging Roads
Sun. Aug. 23rd, Pudding Creek Trestle
Sun. Aug. 30, Russian Gulch
Sun. Sept. 6, Big River 

NEXT SUNDAY, AUGUST 9TH @ 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.