MENDOCINO HEADLANDS AND TOWN

It was a perfect morning, not just for those folk escaping the inland heat, but also for us locals.  There was no wind, therefore the ocean was flat calm, and it was overcast, so no need to worry about sunscreen or burn.  On a day like today, you could walk forever it seemed, unless you were a Fog Dodger, then your chances of being on the disabled list were about 50-50.  Actually, the healthy did slightly outnumber us on light duty.

Our daughter sent this photo, so proud of her vegan parents; 

Thanks to John also, for sending photos today.  His are better.

Main Street

Present today: Cheryl, Scott, Cindy, Pat, Leon, Shari, Peter, John, Deb, Sam, Eric, Sky, Fran, Kim, Doug, Nancy and Tom (17).

Mendocino water tower

The ocean this morning was flat calm and crystal clear, perfect for a walk around the Mendocino Headlands.  A lot of birds, sitting on their island nests, well protected from predators.

Would you hire these guys?

Thanks to Fran also, for going ahead to the Little River Inn and obtaining for us a table for 10, just abandoned by another group that was unable to keep their reservation.

Yes, a bunny!

You know, next weekend is the Fourth of July weekend.  The fourth being on Tuesday, I don't know if that makes it a 3 day or 4 day weekend?  In any case, we'll hide away from the crowds by walking, running or biking on the Caspar Logging Road.  I hope to see you there.

NEXT SUNDAY,  JULY 2ND @ 8:00 A.M.:  GROUP RUN/WALK/BIKE, CASPAR LOGGING ROAD, You can click on the "Our Routes" tab at the top to get directions, if needed.

EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY, GROUP RUN/WALK @ 7:30 A.M.: COASTAL TRAIL - MIDDLE, behind the Fort Bragg Fire Station.

POMO BLUFFS

This is Tom now and I'm adding this into the blog below that was written by Joe (because some don't read all of the blog, just want to know where we go next week).  We didn't know this at the time that Joe published the blog but found out just today (Tuesday) from Fran.  On Sunday, Fran and Jean were just a little late.  They could see our group heading up the trail.  Fran walks a little slower than Jean, so she told Jean to go ahead and catch up.  Jean began running but tripped soon thereafter and landed very hard on her knee.  Fran got Jean back home where Jean iced her knee and took Tylenol.  A while later, Jean asked Fran for a ride to the ER, she was in a lot of pain.  Well, the knee cap is fractured and Jean now needs to use a walker and has her knee in a stabilizer.  She just wanted us Fog Dodgers to know, I think she didn't want us to think she wimped out.  Fran knows the situation a little better though and it is her decision to ask for help.  Fran is helping her out and she has other friends and neighbors, but thought that we should all know about Jean's predicament.  Jean's husband is a paraplegic, Jean now requires a walker.  She can't drive with the stabilizer on her knee. She may need some help, so if you've got an hour or you're going to the market, maybe you could pick up something for Jean or water something in the garden, I don't know what, but you might email Fran (franbschwartz@mail.com) to see if there's some way you can help out.  I'm putting Fran's email address because I don't want to post a phone number on the www.  Fran can give you Jean's cell phone number for texting.

Now, the blog:

It was an absolutely beautiful day walking from Pomo Bluffs north along the coastal trail. Clear skies and little wind. Hikers were Nancy, Tom, Toni, Joe, Deb, Sam, John, Charlene, Sky, Eric, Diana, Jeff, and young Westen. Later we were joined along the trail by Kim, Doug and Bowie. Along the way three groups sorted themselves out according to pace. We walked by the newly opened location of the Noyo River Grill overlooking the entrance to the harbor on the south end of the bridge on the west side of the highway (see the first photo below). Some of us commented that we would like to try them out.

After the walk ten of us, including Westen, went to breakfast at the Laurel Deli.The chef made a Mickey Mouse pancake for Westen's breakfast with plenty of bacon!

Some photos from John:

 Noyo-Bridge-down-under-Noyo-River-Grill

Noyo-Rowing-Club

Say-Ohmm

Signs-of-Spring

Purple Poppy Bud

Purple Poppy

NEXT SUNDAY, June 25 @ 8:00 A.M.: GROUP RUN/WALK/BIKE, MENDOCINO HEADLANDS. You can click on the "Our Routes" tab at the top to get directions, if needed.

EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY, GROUP RUN/WALK @ 7:30 A.M.: COASTAL TRAIL - MIDDLE, behind the Fort Bragg Fire Station.

RUSSIAN GULCH STATE PARK

We hiked the main trail at Russian Gulch today. It was a smaller group since Tom and Nancy and Sam and Deb were away. Hiking were Shari (back from her 3500 mile! trip with Peter), Eric, John, Charlene, Jean, Fran, and Joe. Bob even put in an appearance just before we started. Things are growing all along the trail and the campsites were mostly full, one of the nicest campgrounds along the coast. Some sites are quite private, such as the two most easterly ones. The trail was marked "CLOSED" but we hiked it anyway and did not make it to the closure point. Apparently here is an alternate trail to the waterfall.

 Afterwards four of us went to breakfast at St Anthony's, always a good deal.

John sent some photos:

Early-Morning-Sunrise-Fort-Bragg

Caspar-Water-Tower

Caspar-visit-to-tree-garage

Caspar-Old-Home (this is the John Simpson Ross house from the Caspar Lumber Company days)

NEXT SUNDAY, June 18 @ 8:00 A.M.: GROUP RUN/WALK/BIKE, Pomo Bluffs. You can click on the "Our Routes" tab at the top to get directions, if needed.

EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY, GROUP RUN/WALK @ 7:30 A.M.: COASTAL TRAIL - MIDDLE, behind the Fort Bragg Fire Station.

NOYO MOORING BASIN

We hiked a new route this time - along the south bank of the Noyo River as far as Dolphin Isle. It was a bit exciting to go someplace new. There had been concerns about traffic on the narrow road, but no problems were encountered. There were very few vehicles. Hiking were Jean, Sky, Fran, Tom, Nancy, John, Toni, Joe, Sam, Deb, Eric, Kim, Doug (and Bowie). There was no wind, so the river was mirror-like with our spring overabundance of Broom reflecting in the water. Many harbor seals were checking us out along our way. We started at Tommy's and then walked up river, walking out on the first pier. Further up trees shaded the path as we crested the hill and looked down on the site where the junk boats used to lie in disrepair (now all cleaned up). On the way back Deb spotted some baby ospreys in their nest (see Toni's photo below).

Afterwards seven of us went to the Home Style Cafe for breakfast. 

Here are some photos from John:

Abe's Propeller

Dry-Dock-Winch

Girl on Swing

Harbor-Dry-Dock

Hot Diggity Dog

And one from Toni

Osprey Nest

NEXT SUNDAY, June 11 @ 8:00 A.M.: GROUP RUN/WALK/BIKE, RUSSIAN GULCH. You can click on the "Our Routes" tab at the top to get directions, if needed.

EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY, GROUP RUN/WALK @ 7:30 A.M.: COASTAL TRAIL - MIDDLE, behind the Fort Bragg Fire Station.