Big River

Photo by John Loomis

A summery brisk but sunny 47F this morning seemed to keep the mosquitoes at bay, thankfully, as there was no significant breeze to help had we needed it. There was however plenty of mosquito bait, if you will, and I'm really happy to report that since our last time here, they've finally graded over all the car-sized holes in the road leading up to the trail head parking area.

We had many guests today, and even the locals showed up in force! John and Marianne came all the way from Kansas City, and apparently I've been missing some Tuesday morning people, like Merri and Pete and his guests Carol and Jennifer. Bob and Susan brought Don, who is here playing at the Muscial Festival. Already I feel the tension mounting that I will forget or misplace someone, but I am the pinch hitter today and my salary and benefits can't possibly go any lower... Marc, Jan, Peter, John L., Toni, Fran, Ron, Charlene, Nancy B., Patty, Nancy T., Roger, Steve, Kathy, Susie, Neil, Cheryl and Johnny (27). Please let me know if I left out someone. Fourteen of us had a good breakfast at the Bayview Cafe.

Now get out your calendar and mark off Sunday, July 24 (two weeks from now), for a run/walk/ride at MacKerricher State Park, and pot-luck picnic afterwards. Please note this is NOT our usual MacKerricher Haul Road route starting at the Pudding Creek trestle bridge. There are some new restroom facilities near the end parking lot:

NEXT SUNDAY, July 18, 2011 @ 8 AM: Caspar Logging Road. See "Our Routes" tab above.

EVERY TUESDAY @ 7 AM: RUSSIAN GULCH STATE PARK, beginning on Point Cabrillo Drive, 1/10 of a mile north of its south end.

EVERY THURSDAY @ 7 AM: VAN DAMME STATE PARK, beginning at the beach.

Big River

The Ron Jahelka Trail proved to be a perfect place to start this special day. Unusually low tide and green grass framed the action as a league of 11 gathered at the trail head watching Big River flow only a short distance from where it is swallowed by the sea. Osprey were giving a welcoming cry. The mosquitoes were mysteriously absent. Everyone was on the move at the stroke of 8:00 AM.

The temperature was a warm 50 at the outset but the weather seemed undecided "do I rain or do I shine." Soon the sun prevailed and gave way to a beautiful day.

Present were Chuck, Geri, Fran, Pat, Rick C., early start Kim, Heather, Nancy, Rick B., John, and Bob. Some mothers may have stayed home to receive their ritualistic breakfast in bed.

Afterward, some discussed having brunch at Little River Inn, others went home to honor their Moms, and one went home to listen to the sounds of Scottish fiddles on Oak and Thorn.

If you haven't yet seen John Loomis's ceramic work and get the opportunity, check out his Sea Urchin series.

Penny and Al we miss you.

Happy Mother day to all of the wonderful Mothers in the world.

NEXT SUNDAY, May 15 @ 8:00 A.M.: Van Damme Park, beginning at the beach

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.

Big River

Stepping out of the house this morning I was met by sprinkles, and I seem to recall that pleasant thoughts did not immediately rush to mind. A few degrees cooler (it was 36F, Tom), and it would have been snowing. But there were clear skies to both the east and west, and I had hope - there would be no mosquitoes!!!

Photo by John Loomis

As it turned out, the sprinkles abated by the time everyone began driving up. What I hadn't really counted on however was that down-river breeze, which prompted several of us to begin a little early just to warm up. Sorry Tom, I know that was against protocol, but it was probably less than 30 seconds, and it was COLD!

I'm guessing few others anticipated that cold wind, as many of you showed up, smiles blazing - John, Melissa, Orah, Steve, Hector, Jim, Cindy, Mark, Gay, Charlene, Toni, Fran, Geri, Sarah, Kim, Neil, Cheryl, Suzi, Roger, Nancy, Deb, Sam, Maddelyn, Scott, Marc and me, Johnny (25). Ten of us had breakfast at the Bayview Cafe afterward. I have to say a great and unanticipated treat was to sit by Suzi and watch her so beautifully and deftly recreate the vista in watercolor right before our eyes!

NEXT SUNDAY, February 27 @ 8 AM: MacKerricher Haul Road (See "Our Routes" above).

EVERY TUESDAY @ 7 AM: RUSSIAN GULCH STATE PARK, beginning on Point Cabrillo Drive, 1/10 of a mile north of its south end.

EVERY THURSDAY @ 7 AM: VAN DAMME STATE PARK, beginning at the beach.

TWO things to note:

Sunday, March 13 will be Daylight Savings Time! Yes, already!

Sunday, April 24 will bring the Easter Bunny Rabbit back, and IT IS the year of The Rabbit, folks.

Happy New Year!!!

I was all ready to go the way of Tom last week and also concede that not every one of our Sunday morning runs/walks is pretty. Not today! I was even contemplating how to mention mosquitoes in today's report, but that was not to be, either. It was 46F, with just a slight sprinkle for the first half mile. I think we were all pleasantly surprised.

But hats off to all you die-hards who were driving drearily down to Big River this morning in the pouring rain -- and were rewarded handsomely with a gorgeous double rainbow!!!

Oh well, the Nancys - Nancy B, Nancy R, Nancy T, and the rest of us, Cindy, Jim, Rick, Fran, Toni, Randy, Marc, John, Susie, Rod, Bob, Kim, Roger and I (17) just had to enjoy the Ron Jahelka Trail along side a swollen, muddy Big River.

Afterward, 11 of us had breakfast with Brad (and Tom!) at David's, under new ownership as of this year. Congratulations, Kira!

NEXT SUNDAY, January 9, 2011 @ 8 AM: Noyo River Haul Road (A&W)... could be muddy. See "Our Routes" above.

EVERY TUESDAY @ 7:15 AM (for the rest of January): RUSSIAN GULCH STATE PARK, beginning on Point Cabrillo Drive, 1/10 of a mile north of its south end.

EVERY THURSDAY @ 7:15 AM (for the rest of January): VAN DAMME STATE PARK, beginning at the beach.

p.s. Sorry I'm late getting this out, but it's been really nice out doors today and you should have been out there too....

May 2, 2010

This morning we ran and walked the Ron Jahelka Trail at Big River. It was a balmy 49 degrees when I left Fort Bragg and there was a slight offshore breeze (read "headwind on the way back") picking up. True to May, it was a beautiful Spring morning. That's the most weather report you'll get out of me. There were plenty of birds, and Ron had a whole flock of bird watchers out there this morning too. Hopefully I didn't ruffle any few feathers zipping past them on the way back. My apologies Ron, but they reminded of the Guinea hens that always played chicken with our school bus. And I was wearing yellow.

Present were: Fran, Joel, John, Charlene, Steve, Kathy, Joyce, Elaine, Johnny, Neil, Cheryl, Cindy, Jim, Nancy T., Roger T., Mark, Nancy and Tom (18). Please forgive me if I missed anyone. I did not have my usual notepad with me at the start, and I'm not as adept at this as Tom. Afterwards, Tom and Nancy took off on vacation, and Brad joined me for a delicious breakfast at Bayview Cafe, while many apparently made the trek to The Boontling Classic 5K race, and the rest of you went home to plant your garden now that it's May (hint, hint).

Soon, we'll also dispense with the weekly emails, and you all (and anyone else!) can check out our blog that Brad has set up. We'll overlap for a few weeks, but then it will be the only place to get the email updates.

NEXT SUNDAY 5/9/10 8 AM: RUSSIAN GULCH STATE PARK, beginning on Point Cabrillo Drive, 1/10 of a mile north of its south end.

EVERY TUESDAY 7 AM: RUSSIAN GULCH STATE PARK, beginning on Point Cabrillo Drive, 1/10 of a mile north of its south end.

EVERY THURSDAY 7 AM: VAN DAMME STATE PARK, beginning at the beach.

April 11, 2010

It was a pretty morning at Big River. Lots of birds were heard singing, things looked really green, clean and Springlike. We ran and walked The Ron Jahelka Trail. It was 48 degrees at the start and there was a fairly good southeasterly breeze, driving what felt like ice water into our faces. It rained heavily throughout and made for a good test of raingear. I think everybody's raingear failed today's test. Johnny was the smartest, foregoing any extra rain clothing and running, as usual, in shorts and tank. To clean the mud off after the run, Johnny went all the way into Big River! It's got to be about 55 degrees right now (water temp)! I was amazed!

Present this morning were: Nancy and Roger, Charlene, Ron, Kim, John, Bob, Johnny, Brad, Nancy and Tom (11). Afterwards, 6 of us enjoyed the Bayview Cafe for breakfast.

Thanks to all that voted on their preferred website design. Instead of a web site, Brad is creating a blog. It will look and function much the same but be easier to manage. Look for it to start in a month or so. We think it will be just as easy as receiving an e-mail and will also make it possible for out of town visitors to find and join us.

NEXT SUNDAY, 4/18/10, 8:00 A.M., MACKERRICHER HAUL ROAD, beginning at the south end of the Pudding Creek Trestle (go west on Elm St. to it's end, turn right on Glass Beach Road, it ends at the trestle).

TUESDAYS, 7:00 A.M., RUSSIAN GULCH STATE PARK, beginning on Point Cabrillo Drive, 1/10 of a mile north of it's south end.

THURSDAYS, 7:00 A.M., VAN DAMME STATE PARK, beginning at the beach.