The Ron Jahelka Trail (Big River)

"On days when I'm not motivated, I reason that I'd rather put in one hour of drudgery to gain 23 hours of bliss.  Bliss means that for the rest of the day, I'm not guilty about drinking a beer, watching a football game, taking a nap."-- Stuart Witt

Hmmm, where to start.  I think I'd like to start by nominating Bob to write the blog much more often. If you don't know what I'm saying, you need to go back and read last week's blog.  All those in favor, raise your hand or say "aye".  Thanks to Bob and to Roger for blogging in my absence.  And again, thanks to John, who continually takes the photos that make this blog look good.  Here's a couple more of John's Van Damme bridge series, taken recently.

Van Damme, Bridge 2, J. Loomis

Van Damme, Bridge 3, J. Loomis

It was a bit chilly at Big River this morning, 45 and overcast, and with a breeze that made it feel colder.  It didn't seem quite Spring-like, as these photos from John would suggest:

J. Loomis

J. Loomis

Present this morning:  Greg, Gay, Mark, Bob J., Toni, Joe, Nancy B., Rick, Charlene, Ron, John, Fran, Donna, Nancy T,, Roger, Faye, Geri, Nancy and Tom (19).

Here's one we haven't done for quite awhile, since August 25th, or 30 weeks ago,  Navarro Ridge.  You know, it's just about 10 minutes further than going to Van Damme State Park.  The views from the roadway and the Grange Pancake Breakfast should make it worth your time.  It should be the perfect place to witness Spring!

NEXT SUNDAY, MARCH 23 @ 8:00 A.M.:  NAVARRO RIDGE ROAD , see "Our Routes" above.

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.

Daylight Delight

"Walking is falling forward. Each step we take is an arrested plunge, a collapse averted, a disaster braked. In this way, to walk becomes an act of faith. We perform it daily: a two-beat miracle--an iambic teetering, a holding on and letting go." Paul Salopek 

This was the first morning of the onset of daylight time. You know that biannual artificial disruption of the fall of darkness and emergence of light. A self inflicted crack in chronobiology, a bump in biorhythm, a poke in the pendulum of the circadian clock consequently sustaining an insidious assault of living systems. Otherwise it was a beautiful morning.

Participants were greeted with a very comfortable 54 degrees, no wind, and only an occasional drop of rain. The forest floor was clean, quiet, and soft displaying refreshing signs that recent rainfall was replenishing the the moisture depleted soil. This made for a basically good smooth trail but for a few slick spots around puddles which did grow larger near the far end  of the road but none were impassable. Mud slung evidence of the journey was visible on splattered shoes and tracks up the back side of legs. In my case the mud went all the way to the shoulder blades. Not because I ran fast but that I fell down hill skidding on knees and elbows, then barrel rolled to finish the slide on my back relatively unharmed. Indeed Paul Salopek is correct, walking is falling.

Present today were John, Melissa, Nichole, Joe, Mark, Toni, Peter, Sheri, Bob, two others arrived seconds after we set out but I wasn't able to get their names, and the Smart one in our midst Tonya who ran at the normal time. Others that were absent may have stayed home to reset their circadian clocks.

I'm taking this opportunity to give recognition to, and appreciation for, Tom and Nancy in maintaining the heartbeat of the Fog Dodgers. They are always there when you need someone to run or walk with and put much effort into blogging and reporting information to the group. Thank you Tom and Nancy we are grateful to you for your work in making it so easy for the rest of us to simply show up when we can to join other nice people for a pleasant walk or run.

Photos by Loomis. Thank you John


NEXT SUNDAY, March 16 @ 8:00 A.M.: Big River. Aka; the Ron Jahelka Trail
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.

Caspar Logging Road

"The only exercise I take is walking behind the coffins of friends who took exercise"
- Peter O'Toole

Sorry Tom, just more my type of quote!  For this week, I thought I'd add a couple of 'picture' quotes:

I guess it's the wrong time of year to call it an Indian Summer - but the weather continues to come from the south, making it warmer than most summers here on the North Coast.  Yesterday the temperature reached a balmy 70°, and our rain gauge has crept up to nearly 12".  Still a long way down, but a big improvement on a week ago.

So this morning we met at one of my, well to be truthful, Abby's favorite walks.  Thanks Tom for selecting this location.  I'd also like to thank Tom for writing this blog every week.  I really don't enjoy writing, but I do look forward to reading Tom's report every week.  So keep being a Vulcan so you may "live long and prosper" to keep up the excellent work.  Oh, I guess I meant Vegan!

I don't have any photos of Caspar Logging Road, so here's one of our coast:

Although the weather was a bit drizzly this morning, it was very warm and we had a good turn-out.  Enjoying the morning air today were: Bob C., Donna, who brought her friend Nancy 4 (sorry - best I could do), Fay, Fran, Geri, Joe, Toni, Joel, John, Peter, Shari, Rick B., Nancy B., Roger and Nancy T.  Nine of us went to David's for breakfast, where we all got seated around one of those new round tables.  Great move Kira - we love those round tables.

Having said I don't have photos of Caspar, I just received some from John - thanks John.  so here's one of John's photos he took this morning.

John also wanted to mention that:

This Week, First Fri. and Friday the 7th is open House at the College of the Redwoods Art Dept.

Being as we have quite a few people in the group who concern themselves with healthy eating, I thought you might like this book (in pdf format) that gives a list of the many brands of different food products that are certified GMO free.

So, with some luck Bob will be writing the blog next week, and in the meantime, if, Neil and Cheryl you get time to read this, I hope you're having a great hiking trip in New Zealand.

NEXT SUNDAY, MARCH 9TH, JACKSON STATE FOREST ROAD 450,  the one off Simpson Lane, see "Our Routes" above.  Hopefully it won't be too muddy.

SUNDAY,  MARCH 16TH,  BIG RIVER ROAD, see "Our Routes" above.

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 Road

"Running allows me to recharge my batteries.  A good run adds a little bounce to my step." -- George W. Bush

While running at Van Damme 10 days ago, John, spotted a steelhead trout in the creek.  We had just had a good rain.  So, after our run, John grabs his camera bag, and heads all the way back to Bridge 8, no small feat in itself, photographing each bridge along the way.  I'll post a couple of the bridge pictures here and the fish he found at Bridge 8.   Thank you,  John

    Bridge 1, Van Damme's Fern Canyon 

Bridge 8, Fern Canyon

           
These photos were all taken by J. Loomis.   There's more but I'll save the others for later.

Steelhead Trout, Van Damme State Park

This morning, we met at Big River.  It was overcast and 44 degrees with just a slight breeze.  It was a good morning for walking and running and even bike riding.  Present today:  Zelda, Donna, Cindy, Jim, Fran, Geri, Greg, Henry, Tom T., Cheryl, Neil, Nancy B., Rick. Shari, Peter, Orah, Steve, Faye, Katie, Nichole, Melissa, Joel, Bob, John, Nancy and Tom (26).




Bob says that he'll write the blog next week, probably.  Hopefully he or Roger will do the blog on the 9th and 16th also.  I'm taking a break.  Please come and support the group and have a good time.  I'm picking the locations for the next three run/walks, just in case Bob or Roger can't.

NEXT SUNDAY, March 2nd @ 8:00 A.M.:  Caspar Logging Road, see "Our Routes" above.

SUNNDAY, MARCH 9TH, JACKSON STATE FOREST ROAD 450,  the one off Simpson Lane, see "Our Routes" above.  Hopefully it won't be too muddy.

SUNDAY,  MARCH 16TH,  BIG RIVER ROAD, see "Our Routes" above.

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.

Ward Avenue

"I always cringe inside when people say running comes naturally to me, that training is an uplifting joy.  That's not why I race well.  I'm competitive." - - Eamonn Coughlan

John took some great photos of Van Damme this week.  I was going to use a few of them but then he took some more this morning and I think these depict the morning very nicely.  Thank you, John.

Wet all week but it looks better now.
photo by J. Loomis

What a beautiful morning!  We met at Ward Avenue.  It was sunny and clear, 42 degrees and calm.  I chose to run on the beach, since I had taken the road on our last visit.  It was absolutely perfect!  It was fun, trying to find a "whole" sand dollar, never did, and stepping over the jellyfish and running from the incoming waves.   The ocean, dunes, coastal mountains and blue sky, were all beautiful today.



Present this morning:  Donna, Zelda, Cheryl, Neil, Cindy, Jim, Greg, Shari, Peter, Nancy T., Roger, Geri, Charlene, Ron, Toni, Joe, Nancy and Tom (18, is that all?).

Cleone Lake, J. Loomis

Seven of us went to David's Restaurant for breakfast.  I continue to be amazed by Kira's energy, attitude and success.   She has really turned around a failing business.

I'm still uncertain as to when State Parks is going to temporarily close the Big River Road.  I thought that I had read very soon, and that was about a month ago.  Until it is closed, we will go to often, as it is central for all of us and doesn't get too muddy.  So,

J. Loomis photo

NEXT SUNDAY, Feb. 23rd @ 8:00 A.M.:  BIG RIVER ROAD, see "Our Routes" above.

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.

The Ron Jahelka Trail (Big River)

"Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body, it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity."-- John F. Kennedy

turkeys, photo by J. Loomis, 2 days ago

It was a great morning!  I think luck played a big part.  We've been getting plenty of rain the past few days and it was forecast to be heavy showers today but the rain god held back for the Fog Dodgers!  It was 50, a little drizzly but generally just right for both running and walking.

J. Loomis, this morning at Big River

 Present this morning:  Deb, Sam, Geri, Mark, Nancy T., Roger, Joel, Bob, Melissa, Nichole, Katie, John, Rod, Nancy and Tom (15).


I was so happy with the trail repairs made at MacKerricher when we were there a couple of weeks ago, I would like to go there again.  The weather forecast for next Sunday (if you can believe in such things) is for sunshine and light winds.  The tide at 8:00 will be about half way between high and low, around 4 feet, and so we'll have the option of using either the Haul Road and trails or using the beach.  It will be another great day!

NEXT SUNDAY, Feb. 16th @ 8:00 A.M.: WARD AVENUE, see "Our Routes" above.

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.

Russian Gulch State Park

"Running is a thing worth doing not because of the future rewards it bestows, but because of how it feeds our bodies and minds and souls in the present." -- Kevin Nelson, The Runner's Book of Daily Inspiration

John went out yesterday to take a picture of today's venue.  Today, was different enough to warrant another picture, before and after, thanks John!

Russian Gulch State Park, J. Loomis

J. Loomis

Phil saw his shadow this morning, six more weeks of winter.  Winter won't be bad, if we can have enough days like this, rainy and cold.  We've had lots of cold so far but very little rain, and so this morning was kind of nice.  l could have predicted that not many would show up but I was surprised that there were eight runners and no walkers.  I was going to give each of us runners two gold stars in the attendance book.  At the last minute, Joe showed up.  As the ONLY walker, Joe gets four gold stars!!  The runners were:  Melissa, Nichole, Katie, Joel, Rod, John, Nancy and me (9).

Between 5 a.m. and 11 a.m. this morning, we had .37 inches of rain.  Not a real gully washer but it was enough, that Nancy exclaimed, "Listen, you can hear the stream!"  That was at that nice place about a mile in on the Fern Canyon Trail, where falling boulders and logs have created a little waterfall and stream obstruction.  So far this winter, it had been quieted by the severe drought.

7:00 A.M. ON TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS AGAIN.  Yes, we've turned the corner and the sun is rising earlier again.

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

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.