WARD AVENUE

It was a beautiful, crisp and clear morning at MacKerricher.  It was 38 degrees with a 5 mph wind, but the ocean and surf were so pretty that we didn't notice the cold.

J. Loomis photo

John was away but still gave me a couple of photos for the blog.  Just telling you so that you'll understand why the pictures aren't always of the area of our run/hike.   I think that today's pictures were taken by John while in the Bay Area.  He titled this one  a cypress forest but they look like pine trees to me.  At least I can identify the two birds below, I think.             

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J. Loomis photo

Present this morning:  Greg, Gay, Mark, Neil, Randy, Janis, Katie, Nancy T., Roger, Toni, Nancy and Tom (12).

Gay told me this morning, that she will again do her Waffle Bar at our potluck breakfast/cookie exchange on the 13th.  So, don't bring waffles but anything else is fair game.  There's always lots of food and Mark and Gay are wonderful hosts.  An added bonus this year, is the "Incredible, Amazing and Beautiful Surprise" that they will show those that come.  I can't say more here but your children and grandchildren would also love it.  Mark will bring a few maps to our run/hike for those that haven't been to their home, or you can easily follow someone else, it's not too far from our run/hike.

SUNDAY, DEC. 6TH, NOYO HEADLANDS TRAIL  (The new South half!) 
SUNDAY, DEC. 13TH, CASPAR LOGGING ROADS + POT LUCK AND COOKIE EXCHANGE
SUNDAY, DEC. 20TH, BIG RIVER LOGGING ROAD
SUNDAY, DEC. 27TH, PUDDING CREEK TRESTLE

SUNDAY, JAN. 3, WARD AVENUE

SUNDAY, JAN. 10TH BIG RIVER LOGGING ROAD

NEXT SUNDAY, DEC. 6TH @ 8:00 A.M.:  NOYO HEADLANDS TRAIL, The south half, just opened!  See "Our Routes" above.

EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY @ 7:00 A.M.:  GROUP RUNS AT BIG RIVER

Sixth Annual Bin-2-Bin-2-Bin Run and Walk

This morning, we had our Sixth Annual Bin-2-Bin-2-Bin Run and Walk to benefit the local Food Bank.  It was a perfect morning weather wise for running and walking across the Noyo Bridge and up and down Main Street.

Original logo, Sam Elufson creation

There was conversation this morning regarding the Fog Dodgers and it's origins.  Deb thought of the name and Sam drew up the logo.  That was shortly after our beginning on July 26, 1998. On our first run were:  John Bailey, Tom Riley, Deb Elufson, Ute Luyties and Bill Adams.  There has been a group run/walk on every Sunday since then, every one of them!

Present today:  Chandra, Laura, Janis, Cheryl, Bob, Orah, Steve, Deb, Sam, Suzanne, Michelle, Toni, Susan, Bruce, Nancy and Tom (16).

J. Loomis photo

It was 51 degrees, mostly sunny and calm when we started this morning.  It was nice to see Chandra and Laura take off super fast, just as we used to do on the first few Bin-2-Bins.  It started off as a race but has evolved into a fun run and walk.  Someone said, that Chandra and Laura were off fast because younger people know how to work those  self checkout stands better, very true.

J. Loomis photo, Noyo River and harbor

We had fun this morning and we managed to help out the Food Bank.  I hope that everyone has a nice Thanksgiving. 

Remember, Mark and Gay will host our annual  Holiday Pot Luck Breakfast and Cookie Exchange on Sunday, Dec. 13th, immediately following the run/walk.  You needn't bring much, just any kind of a breakfast item.  Bring a plate of cookies, if you wish to participate in the Cookie Exchange.  You bring a plate of your cookies and then take home (mandatory!)  a plate of mixed cookies.  There's always plenty of food.  Making this year's breakfast especially nice is a "Special Tour" of something you just have to see to believe.  It's right there in their yard, we aren't going anywhere.  Can't tell you more because it's secret, just believe me, you don't want to miss this!  It's for the young and young at heart.  Chandra, bring Tenley and Chris.  Lisa and Tabi, bring Linnaea and Zavier.

SUNDAY, NOV. 29, WARD AVENUE
SUNDAY, DEC. 6TH, NOYO HEADLANDS TRAIL  (The new South half!) 
SUNDAY, DEC. 13TH, CASPAR LOGGING ROADS + POT LUCK AND COOKIE EXCHANGE
SUNDAY, DEC. 20TH, BIG RIVER LOGGING ROAD
SUNDAY, DEC. 27TH, PUDDING CREEK TRESTLE

NEXT SUNDAY, NOV. 29TH @ 8:00 A.M.:  WARD AVENUE, see "Our Routes" above

EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY @ 7:00 A.M., GROUP RUNS AT BIG RIVER

Big River Logging Road

Mendocino Bay, J. Loomis photo

John's picture above shows how pretty the morning was.  It was 51 degrees with a pretty good northerly breeze and partially cloudy skies.  Once we got going up river, it was really a perfect morning to be out for a run or walk.

Big River Salmon Run, 11/14/15 , J. Loomis photo

Yesterday, about 10 Fog Dodgers ran in the Big River Salmon Run.  Tony and Janis were each  First Place in the 10K.  Five of us; Nancy, Bob, Tom, Cyd and Chandra were age group winners in the 5K and John, in a tougher division, was Second Place for the 5K.  John's caption above is only part of the story, but thanks John.  I should also add, that Chandra's husband Chris (not sure whether he has joined the Fog Dodgers on any Sundays ??), taking turns with Chandra pushing the baby jogger, got Third Place in his age group.

Big River, J. Loomis photo

Present today:  Deb, Sam,  Tony (Healdsburg), Toni, Joe, Fran, Neil, Jennifer, Nancy T., Roger, Cyd, John, Nancy and Tom (14).

Next Sunday, we will do our Sixth Annual Bin-2-Bin-2-Bin Run/Walk.  Meet in front of Harvest Market and be ready to go at 8:00.   You buy an item of food for the Food Bank and drop it in the bin there and then head to Safeway, buy another food item and drop it in their bin, then head to Purity if you're a runner or back to Harvest if you're walking.  You finish up by buying one last item at Harvest Market and putting it into their Food Bank bin.  These food items needn't cost much, just whatever you'd like to donate to the Food Bank.  Save your receipts, they are deductible on tax day.  No matter what the weather is like, running or walking across the Noyo Bridge early in the morning is really beautiful.  Total time usually 50-60 minutes.

NEXT SUNDAY, NOV. 22 @ 8:00 A.M.:  BOAT YARD CENTER, Bin-2-Bin-2-Bin Run/Walk, please read the above paragraph.

EVERY TUESDAY and THURSDAY @ 7:00 A.M.:  GROUP RUNS, BIG RIVER LOGGING ROAD.

CASPAR LOGGING ROADS

Caspar Creek, J. Loomis photo

We had a nice morning for running and walking.  Rain fell during the night and after our run/walk, but we were fortunate to have 50 degrees, under mostly cloudy and calm skies.  I like the Caspar Logging Roads for a number of reasons;  there's lots of parking, dogs are allowed, minimal traffic and there several different directions that you can go.

Clipper ship, J. Loomis photo

After sitting all week and missing our regular Tuesday and Thursday runs, the uphill leg of Road 500 seemed much steeper today.   It's always nice to be in a group, it kind of pulls you along.

Caspar Bay, J. Loomis photo

Thanks to John Loomis for always making the blog look better  by sending in photos every week!  This week's "Clipper ship" was taken in Half Moon Bay by John.  The ship had earlier sailed past Fort Bragg on it's way south.  The other photos were all taken around Caspar.

J. Loomis photo

Present today:  Gay, Mark, Neil, Ron, Bob, John, Cyd, Orah, Steve, Jennifer, Nancy B., Rick, Nancy T., Roger, Tom T., Toni, Susan, Bruce, Nancy and Tom (20).

Remember, Mark and Gay will host our annual  Holiday Pot Luck Breakfast and Cookie Exchange on Sunday, Dec. 13th.  You needn't bring much, just any kind of a breakfast item and then a plate of cookies, if you wish to participate in the Cookie Exchange.  You bring a plate of your cookies and then take home (mandatory!)  a plate of mixed cookies.  There's always plenty of food.  Making this year's breakfast especially nice is a "Special Tour" of something you just have to see to believe.  It's right there in their yard, we aren't going anywhere.  Can't tell you more because it's secret, just believe me, you don't want to miss this!

SUNDAY, NOV. 15TH, BIG RIVER LOGGING ROAD (This will be the fourth time this week for some of us, Tue.,Thur. Sat. Salmon Run and Sun.)
SUNDAY, NOV. 22, Bin-2-Bin-2-Bin Run and Walk, Boatyard Center
SUNDAY, NOV. 29, WARD AVENUE
SUNDAY, DEC. 6TH, NOYO HEADLANDS TRAIL
SUNDAY, DEC. 13TH, CASPAR LOGGING ROADS + POT LUCK AND COOKIE EXCHANGE

NEXT SUNDAY, DATE @ 8:00 A.M.: BIG RIVER LOGGING ROAD

EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY @ 7:00 A.M.:  GROUP RUNS AT BIG RIVER

PUDDING CREEK TRESTLE

A nice change this morning, rain!  It's a start and hopefully it signals a more normal winter for us.  We started Standard Time today but with the cloud cover, it was still pretty gloomy at 8:00 but a nice 59 degrees with a steady rain.  

Pudding Creek Trestle, J. Loomis photo

Those that came out to welcome the rain and enjoy the morning were:  Susan, Bruce, Zelda, Joel, Bob, Toni, Joe, Charlene, Ron, Nancy and Tom (11).

There's a couple of noteworthy dates below.  On Dec. 1st, the South half of our new Coastal Trail officially opens.  So, on Dec. 6th, we will give it a try.  If you're not familiar with it, check the "our routes" tab above.

J. Loomis photo, Pudding Creek cypress trees

On Dec. 13th, we will have our Annual Fog Dodger Holiday Pot Luck Breakfast and Cookie Exchange.  Mark and Gaye are hosting it and also including a special Open House tour of their new addition.  I'm intentionally underplaying this for secrecy reasons, you really do not want to miss this morning.

SUNDAY, NOV. 8TH, CASPAR LOGGING ROADS
SUNDAY, NOV. 15TH, BIG RIVER LOGGING ROAD (This will be the fourth time this week for some of us, Tue.,Thur. Sat. Salmon Run and Sun.)
SUNDAY, NOV. 22, VAN DAMME STATE PARK
SUNDAY, NOV. 29, WARD AVENUE
SUNDAY, DEC. 6TH, NOYO HEADLANDS TRAIL
SUNDAY, DEC. 13TH, CASPAR LOGGING ROADS + POT LUCK AND COOKIE EXCHANGE

NEXT SUNDAY, NOV. 8TH @ 8:00 A.M.:  CASPAR LOGGING ROADS, see "Our Routes" above.

EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY @ 7:00 A.M.:  Group runs, beginning at Big River Logging Road.