CASPAR LOGGING ROADS

A garage in Caspar, J. Loomis photo

We ran and walked on the Caspar Logging Roads today.  I think that everybody took Road 500, the one that just seems to keep going upward.  The overcast 46 degree sky soon became a very heavy drizzle or light rain, that wasn't supposed to happen.

Jughandle Creek Center, J. Loomis photo

We had a nice group of Fog Dodgers though and it was nice to get out one last time in 2018.  Present today:  Sue, Lisa, Catherine, David, Nancy B., Rick, Shari, Toni, Joe, Greg, Keith, Nancy T., Roger, John, Nancy and Tom (16).

Caspar Creek waterfall, J. Loomis photo

Caspar Duck Pond, J. Loomis photo

     

1/6/19   Russian Gulch State Park
1/13      Coastal Trail - South
1/20      Mendocino-Heeser Drive
1/27      Big River Logging Road

NEXT SUNDAY, JAN. 6TH, GROUP RUN AND WALK, 8:00 A.M., RUSSIAN GULCH STATE PARK

EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY, GROUP RUN @ 7:00 A.M.: Big River on Tuesdays and Mendocino (Town and Heeser Dr.) on Thursdays.  

COASTAL TRAIL - NORTH

We had a very wet run and walk this morning.  I was hoping that the predicted rain would hold off but instead, it came down about 3 minutes into our run/walk.  We only had four runners and three of us bailed early but Bob gets an extra star this morning for going the distance.  I'm sure that he was 10 pounds heavier when he finished, soaked to the bone.  The walkers all did great also but then they at least dressed as though it would rain.

Thanks to John for today's pictures.  Happy Holidays to all.

J. Loomis, Christmas Card

Present today, Lisa, Fran, Shari, Peter, Nancy B., Toni, Joe, Nancy T., Roger, Deb, Sam, Bob, John, Nancy and Tom (15).

J. Loomis photo, Fort Bragg's Guest House

J. Loomis photo, Pudding Creek Trestle, grey morning

Next week, we will run and walk on the Caspar Logging Roads.  That's always an easy pick for me, since it is kind of central for all, no parking problems, dogs are allowed and it's good for running or walking.  There several options from our starting point, uphill, downhill or single track.  Hope to see you there.

12/30    Caspar Logging Roads
1/6/19   Russian Gulch State Park
1/13      Coastal Trail - South
1/20      Mendocino-Heeser Drive
1/27      Big River Logging Road

NEXT SUNDAY, 12/30/18, GROUP RUN AND WALK, 8:00 A.M., CASPAR LOGGING ROADS

EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY, GROUP RUN @ 7:00 A.M.: Big River on Tuesdays and Mendocino (Town and Heeser Dr.) on Thursdays.  

POMO BLUFFS PARK, COASTAL TRAIL

Wasn't bad at all.  I think we all expected the worst, and so a little drizzle and a stiff headwind didn't seem bad, especially since the arriving storm has come with "warm" air.  We tightened up our hoods and hatbands, focused our eyes just in front of our feet, and headed off towards the Noyo Bridge.  After crossing the bridge, the wind died down just adjacent to the Rancheria and the remainder of the run/walk was quite nice.

Noyo Bay, J. Loomis photo

After the run/walk, we had our Annual Potluck Breakfast and Cookie Exchange at Tom and Nancy's. It was a nice, stormy and cozy morning, spent with good friends, good food and conversation.  Present today:  Lisa, Fran, Cheryl, Neil, Deb, Sam, Charlene, Ron, Bob, Nancy B., Rick, Keith, Ron, Bob, Shari, Peter, Toni, Joe, John, Rod, Nancy and Tom (22).

Keith sent these photos, and since I have so much difficulty in arranging photos on blogger, 
I'm just sticking them in here and hope that you all enjoy, thanks Keith.

Noyo Mooring Basin, J. Loomis photo

J. Loomis photo

12/23 Coastal Trail- North (Glass Beach)

EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY, GROUP RUN @ 7:00 A.M.: Big River on Tuesdays and Mendocino (Town and Heeser Dr.) on Thursdays.  

BIG RIVER (The Ron Jahelka Trail)

I hope that you are available next Sunday,  for our annual Pot Luck Breakfast and Cookie Exchange.  It will be at Tom and Nancy's this year.  You can bring any kind of breakfast item and, if you wish to participate in the cookie exchange, a plate of cookies.  If you haven't been to the Tom and Nancy's before, I'll give you the address at the run/walk.  Or, just follow someone, it isn't difficult.

Thank you Fran, one of our better recruiters, for bringing along Sue and Lisa.  I hope they enjoyed the walk enough that they return many more times.  Also present this cool, 46 degree morning (cool because of the wind chill factor), were:  Deb, Sam, Charlene, Ron, Nancy T., Roger, Gay, Mark, Shari, Peter, John, Toni, Joe, Nancy and Tom (18).

Here's a bit of Fog Dodger Trivia that I bet you didn't know.  Deb is one of the 5 that was present on the very first Fog Dodger run, 7/26/1998.  That's right, over 20 years ago!



Thanks, John, for today's photos.  The blog wouldn't look too good, without all the work that John puts  into it.  It looks like John must have hiked down the stairs to the beach to get the above photo.






   

12/16 Pomo Bluffs, Annual Potluck Breakfast at Tom and Nancy's.  As it looks now (Sat. morning), the probability of rain at 8:00 is between 80 and 90% and the wind will be 20 mph, SE, with a Large Surf warning.  If you choose to skip the run or the walk, that would be understandable, just come to Tom and Nancy's around 9:15.

12/23 Coastal Trail- North (Glass Beach)

EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY, GROUP RUN @ 7:00 A.M.: Big River on Tuesdays and Mendocino (Town and Heeser Dr.) on Thursdays.  

Van Damme

Little River and some autumnal color

For us (Nancy and Roger), it was the coldest morning of the year so far, 32 deg.  We had to scrape ice off the car!

It was a relativity small group that braved the cold, however, it turned out to be a beautiful, sunny and crisp morning.

Some pretty mushrooms

On the walk/run were Charlene & Ron, Shari & Peter, Bob, Nancy B, Joe, Nancy T and Roger, and Rick and Toni joined us for a lovely breakfast at Little River Inn.

Van Damme car park and beach

Roger took the pictures of our walk this morning, but they don't do justice of how wonderful everything looked with the leaves falling as winter starts to push it's way in to autumn.

NEXT SUNDAY, 12/9, 8:00 A.M., GROUP RUN AND WALK, BIG RIVER

12/9   Big River

12/16 Pomo Bluffs, Annual Potluck Breakfast at Tom and Nancy's.

EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY, GROUP RUN @ 7:00 A.M.: Big River on Tuesdays and Mendocino (Town and Heeser Dr.) on Thursdays.  

Coastal Trail - South

Thanks Charlene, for bringing grand-daughter Hailey and her boyfriend, Jake.  It's been about 10 years since we last saw Hailey and she is now a teacher, amazing!  Also present: Ron, Neil, Nancy T., Roger, Bob, Nancy and Tom (10).

John's Thanksgiving at Lake Tahoe

It was 46 degrees when we started, just a little brisk.  The morning was clear and beautiful, recent rains having cleared out the smoke.

Fishermen on the Noyo Jetty
J. Loomis photo

A lot of Canada geese have chosen to rest up and eat a bit along the Coastal Trail, more than I had ever seen locally.  The geese and the beautiful ocean made for a great morning walk or run.

On the 16th we will have our annual Pot Luck Breakfast and Cookie Exchange.  It will be at Tom and Nancy's this year.  You can bring any kind of breakfast item and if you wish to participate in the cookie exchange, a plate of cookies.

NEXT SUNDAY, 12/2, 8:00 A.M., GROUP RUN AND WALK, VAN DAMME STATE PARK

12/2   Van Damme State Park, beginning at the beach.

12/9   Big River

12/16 Pomo Bluffs, Annual Potluck Breakfast at Tom and Nancy's.

EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY, GROUP RUN @ 7:00 A.M.: Russian Gulch on Tuesdays and Mendocino (Town and Heeser Dr.) on Thursdays.  Beginning 12/4, the Tuesday runs will be at Big River and the Thursday runs will continue in Mendocino.

Ninth Annual Bin 2 Bin 2 Bin Run and Walk

For the Food Bank today, we did our 9th Annual Bin 2 Bin Run and Walk.   We started with a little problem though, when we discovered that the Food Bank had not been around to put out their donation barrels.  Store employees seemed slightly confused when we asked them if they could hold on to some donated food items for the Food Bank, but eventually figured out that we meant them no harm and were not trying to rob the store or whatever.  I think the Food Bank dropped the ball by not having their barrels out during this week before Thanksgiving.

J. Loomis photo

J. Loomis photo

It was 44 degrees at our start, with just a slight amount of smoke in the air.  The smoke was from the Paradise "Camp Fire", California's worst fire ever.  We've been very fortunate here on the coast but are deeply saddened for all of the fire victims.

Thank you, John, for today's photos.  John was with us today, along with:  Joe, Charlene, Nancy B., Rick, Nancy T., Roger, Bob, Healdsburg Tony, Nancy and Tom (12).

I hope that you are available on the 16th for our annual Pot Luck Breakfast and Cookie Exchange.  It will be at Tom and Nancy's this year.  You can bring any kind of breakfast item and if you wish to participate in the cookie exchange, a plate of cookies.

NEXT WEEK, 11/25, 8:00 A.M., GROUP RUN AND WALK, COASTAL TRAIL, beginning at the south end, across from Taco Bell.

11/25 Coastal Trail - (beginning on the south end, across from Taco Bell).

12/2   Van Damme State Park

12/9   Big River

12/16 Pomo Bluffs, Annual Potluck Breakfast at Tom and Nancy's.

EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY, GROUP RUN @ 7:00 A.M.: Russian Gulch on Tuesdays and Mendocino (Town and Heeser Dr.) on Thursdays.

RUSSIAN GULCH STATE PARK

It was 42 degrees and calm this morning at 8:00.  At Russian Gulch, there was just a slight bit of smoke in the air, much better than the past couple of days.  While we ran, we talked about how sad it was about all of the new fire victims,  entire neighborhoods or the town of Paradise, completely burned!  Pretty hard to rebuild from that.

The Post Office flag on a smoky Veteran's Day

Zoppe Circus Clown, J. Loomis photo

Present today:  Fran, Neil, Gay, Mark, Nancy T., Roger, Toni, Joe, Charlene, Ron, John, Nancy and Tom (13).

Crow or raven, J. Loomis photo

smoky skies, J. Loomis photo

Next Sunday, we will have our 9th Annual Bin 2 Bin 2 Bin Run and Walk.  It is our small contribution to the local Food Bank and it's fun.  Basically, buy an item from each store and drop it into the Food Bank's barrel and proceed on, Harvest to Safeway to Purity and back.   If you need further information about it, I'll tell you just before our start, just a simple and fun way to help out a little.

11/18 9th Annual Bin 2 Bin 2 Bin Run and Walk, starting in front of Harvest Market

11/25 Coastal Trail (beginning on the south [Taco Bell] end)

NEXT SUNDAY, 11/18, 9th Annual Bin 2 Bin 2 Bin.  Meet in front of Harvest Market and have a little cash or a credit card in your pocket.  You needn't spend a lot, just buy something that would be welcomed by the Food Bank.

EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY, GROUP RUN @ 7:00 A.M.: Russian Gulch on Tuesdays and Mendocino (Town and Heeser Dr.) on Thursdays.

WARD AVENUE

This morning, we met at Ward Avenue in Cleone.  A very high tide and large surf kept all of us off the beach today but it was a beautiful morning for running or walking along the Haul Road.  It was 44 degrees at out start but sunny skies and a lack of wind made it just about right.

Lake Cleone, J. Loomis photo

John was in Sacramento this weekend, "meeting the fokkers", or if you didn't see that movie, he was meeting the daughter-in-law's parents.  He was thoughtful enough to leave me a few photos from his Ward Avenue file and then Cheryl got the nice photo of Joe, Neil and Rick below.

Joe, Neil and Rick, photo from Cheryl N.

Present today, to the best of my recollection:  Joe, Toni, Charlene, Ron, Gay, Mark, Fran, Nancy T., Roger, Nancy B., Rick, Cheryl N., Neil, Nancy and Tom (15).

J. Loomis photo, Ward Ave. looking north

J. Loomis photo

Hope you all had a Happy Halloween.

On the 18th, we will have our 9th Annual Bin 2 Bin 2 Bin Run and Walk.  It is our small contribution to the local Food Bank and it's fun.  Basically, buy an item from each store and drop it into the Food Bank's barrel and proceed on, Harvest to Safeway to Purity and back.  

11/11 Russian Gulch State Park

11/18 9th Annual Bin 2 Bin 2 Bin Run and Walk, starting in front of Harvest Market

11/25 Coastal Trail (beginning on the south [Taco Bell] end)

NEXT SUNDAY, 11/11, GROUP RUN AND WALK, RUSSIAN GULCH STATE PARK, (see "Our Routes" above).

EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY, GROUP RUN @ 7:00 A.M.: Russian Gulch on Tuesdays and Mendocino (Town and Heeser Dr.) on Thursdays.

BIG RIVER

Great walking and running weather, and with the treat that Sam brought, homemade apple
juice.

We all had a wonderful time today, misty and all.
John

11/4 Ward Avenue
11/11 Russian Gulch

 

NEXT SUNDAY, DATE @ 8:00 A.M. (PACIFIC STANDARD TIME): 11/4 Ward Avenue

EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY, GROUP RUN @ 7:00 A.M.: Russian Gulch on Tuesdays and Mendocino (Town and Heeser Dr.) on Thursdays.

MENDOCINO

A very grey morning.  When  we started at 8:00, it was 51 degrees, calm and a thick, dark overcast.  A good morning to stay in bed.  But we did it, had a good run or walk, and then six of us enjoyed breakfast at David's.

Mendocino Presbyterian Church

Thank you, John, for today's photos.

Ford House, Mendocino

Mendocino fence line

Mendocino Headlands House

Present today:  Fran, Shari, Peter, Cheryl N., Neil, Nancy B., Rick, John, Nancy and Tom (10).


10/28 Big River
11/4 Ward Avenue
11/11 Russian Gulch

Let me know if you have a "special request".  It's hard to not just keep the same "old" rotation.

EXTRA!
I've added a tab at the top called "Webcam" where you can view the current conditions at the Noyo Center's Crow's Nest building near the Fort Bragg water treatment plant.
- Roger

10/25/18,  Condolences to Gay and Mark.  Gay lost her father, Harry, this morning.   To those of us that had the pleasure of meeting him, he was a delightful gentleman.  Gay says, "He was a great dad!"  I am certain that he was.  Harry had been battling illness for awhile and now, may he rest in peace.


NEXT SUNDAY, Oct. 28th, @ 8:00 A.M., GROUP RUN AND WALK, BIG RIVER


EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY, GROUP RUN @ 7:00 A.M.:  Russian Gulch State Park on Tuesday and Mendocino (Heeser Dr.) on Thursday.

COASTAL TRAIL

It was foggy and 46, with a slight breeze.  Cold enough to return to the trunk and dawn the stocking cap and gloves, thanks Keith!  Once we got going though, it was really just right.  Could have been prettier though, without the fog.

Pudding Creek Trestle, J. Loomis photo

John's son, Nicholas, was here visiting, and it was nice to have him lead us in the run.  Also present: Fran, Charlene, Ron, Greg, Keith, Nancy B., Rick, Bob, Nancy and Tom (12).  A very thoughtful Bob, brought along a friend's dog that needed some exercise (and a diet!).  That slowed Bob down a lot from his usually fast pace.  Easy going Bob never complains though.

Noyo Bridge, J. Loomis photo

I've been wondering, now that the North and South Coastal Trails have been connected, will the names change.  Googling just now, it appears that the whole thing now goes by "Coastal Trail" or Fort Bragg's Coastal Trail.  I'll see if Roger can work his magic on "Our Routes" and we can just have one venue with several starting points.  Then, each time we are going to the Coastal Trail, we will just name our starting point on it, something like that.  Eventually, there will be three different entrances onto the Coastal Trail.

California Quail, J. Loomis photo

10/21 Mendocino Headlands
10/28 Big River
11/4 Ward Avenue

Let me know if you have a "special request".  It's hard to not just keep the same "old" rotation.

EXTRA!
I've added a tab at the top called "Webcam" where you can view the current conditions at the Noyo Center's Crow's Nest building near the Fort Bragg water treatment plant.
- Roger

NEXT SUNDAY, Oct. 21st, @ 8:00 A.M., GROUP RUN AND WALK, MENDOCINO HEADLANDS (beginning at the Heeser Dr. restrooms.

EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY, GROUP RUN @ 7:00 A.M.:  Russian Gulch State Park on Tuesday and Mendocino (Heeser Dr.) on Thursday.