VAN DAMME STATE PARK

   
Van Damme Cove looking south.  Again, thanks to John, for all of today's photos.

It was 48 degrees at our starting time, with just a slight breeze hitting us in the face as we went east into Fern Canyon.  It's as pretty as ever but unfortunately, the trail remains muddy and slippery for quite a few areas and eroded badly enough that it is dangerous (as a bike trail) and difficult as a runner or walker.

Mendocino daffodills, early signs of  Spring!

Thanks Shari and Peter for bringing your friends, Annette and Ed.  It was nice meeting and talking with them while walking and over a great Champagne Breakfast at the Little River Inn.

Kelly House/Museum, Mendocino

Also present today:  Fran, Nancy B., Gay, Mark, Toni, Joe, Charlene, Ron, John, Bob, Nancy and Tom (16).

More signs of Spring, J. Loomis photos 

It was a beautiful morning and a very nice run or walk for all.  Top it off with a great breakfast with complementary champagne at the Little River Inn and lots of nice people, it doesn't get better!


Upcoming venues:
March 8, Pudding Creek Trestle
March 15, Coastal Trail - Middle
March 22, Russian Gulch

NEXT SUNDAY, FEB. MARCH 1ST, GROUP RUN AND WALK,  BIG RIVER (still no mosquitoes so don't miss this one, could be our last for awhile).

EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY, GROUP RUN, 7:00 A.M., Big River Logging Road on Tuesday and Heeser Drive/Mendocino on Thursday.

COASTAL TRAIL - SOUTH

John's niece sent him the cute cat picture for Valentine's Day. Since Valentine's Day was two days ago, I thought that I'd better get it into the blog right away.  I hope that everyone had a nice day.

John sent us all of today's photos and I'm most thankful for all that John does.  Remember, all of the photos are better and bigger if you click on them.

I want to thank Joe for inviting a guest today, Christian.  Also present today; Toni, Nancy B., Fran, Neil, Shari, Peter, Deb, Sam, Bob, John, Nancy and Tom (14).

Heron

We ran and walked on the Coastal Trail today, starting at the southern parking lot, more easily referred to as "Taco Bell".

It was a really nice morning.  It was very summer-like, about 47 degrees, calm and mostly overcast when we started but then the sun started breaking through.  The whistle bouy and 

our local Canda Geese seemed very busy today, whistling and honking.  Maybe I just had my hearing aides turned up too high?

Noyo Harbor

We last ran and walked at Van Damme last March 24th, almost a year ago.  At that time, the Fern Canyon Trail was badly eroded.  It was one of our favorite trails and I want to give it another try.  Hopefully, some maintenance has been done on it and I'm sure that everyone would like another Little River Inn Champagne Breakfast.

Pushing up Daisies, J. Loomis photo

NEXT SUNDAY, FEB. 23RD, GROUP RUN AND WALK,  VAN DAMME STATE PARK

EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY, GROUP RUN, 7:00 A.M., Big River Logging Road on Tuesday and Heeser Drive/Mendocino on Thursday.


I got a couple of late photo entries here from John, so I'm just going to squeeze them in.  When I try to start maneuvering photos around, blogger does strange things.  That's my alibi, for sentences or paragraphs that seem completely

out of place, or type that is in bold face for no apparent reason.  It is, what it is.  Hope you all have a great week!

MENDOCINO HEADLANDS AND TOWNSHIP

We were in Mendocino this morning.  John's picture above shows how picturesque Mendocino is.  The ocean this morning was kind of stirred up, very pretty,  and we were lucky to get our exercise mostly done before the wind started kicking up.

Turkey vultures, J. Loomis photo

These two vultures were taking advantage of the rising sun right next to our starting/finishing spot.  Thanks to John for all of today's photos.

Full moon, setting

   
John often goes out long before us in order to have time to search for photo ops.  This morning, he captured the setting full moon.

The runners outnumbered the walkers today, something I really like to see.  I kind of kept close to the runners by walking fast but couldn't keep it up.  This week, I made the transition from being a runner to now being a walker.  After 37 years of running, it will take awhile for my mind to accept it.

Present today:  Fran, Nancy B., Nancy T., Joe, Deb, Sam, Bob, John, Nancy and Tom (10).

When we finished running and walking, we headed over to St. Anthony's Pancake and Egg Breakfast.  It had been a long time since we had eaten there.  Being vegan, I couldn't eat as I used to but Nancy was nice enough to make up some vegan pancake batter for us and the crew at St. Anthony's was happy to cook us vegan pancakes.  For the others, I think that all enjoyed their eggs cooked to order, along with pancakes, french toast, sausage links, potatoes, coffee and juice, it sure looked good.

Point Cabrillo Lighthouse, thanks John.

NEXT SUNDAY, FEB. 16TH, GROUP RUN AND WALK,  COASTAL TRAIL - SOUTH (Taco Bell)

EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY, GROUP RUN, 7:00 A.M., Big River Logging Road on Tuesday and Heeser Drive/Mendocino on Thursday.

COASTAL TRAIL - NORTH

Windy Fort Bragg morning, J. Loomis photo

Thanks Fran, for bringing a guest, C(K)atherine and your son, Steve.  Also present today:  Charlene, Ron, Nancy B., Peter, Neil, Nancy T., Toni, Joe, Cindy, Joel, Nancy and Tom (15).


It was very, very windy this morning.  It made the 47 degrees seem much colder.  We all had rosey cheeks by the end of this one.

Thanks John, for all of today's photos.  The one
above and the one to the right, depict well what this morning looked and felt like.

Many years ago, Saint Anthony's Church in Mendocino offered one of our favorite Grange/Church pancake breakfasts.  We stopped going to it in support of a couple of friends that disagreed with the Knights of Columbus political support of certain groups.  Our friends have moved on and it's time to check out St. Anthony's again.  

Next Sunday, we will run and walk around Mendocino and those that would like to go to breakfast at St. Anthony's can check it out, or those preferring David's or Little River Inn could go to one of those.

Early Spring Feeding, J. Loomis photo

Glass Beach Kitty, J. Loomis photo

NEXT SUNDAY, FEB. 9TH, GROUP RUN AND WALK, MENDOCINO HEADLANDS AND TOWN. (begins at the Heeser Drive restrooms)

EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY, GROUP RUN, 7:00 A.M., Big River Logging Road on Tuesday and Heeser Drive/Mendocino on Thursday.