Big River

"If you can train your mind for running, everything else will be easy."--Amby Burfoot

A Valentine's Day Sunset, J. Loomis photo

We met at Big River today.  It was a beautiful morning.  While waiting to get started, it seemed colder than the 48 degrees because of the easterly breeze blowing downriver.  Once we were up the river a bit, very nice.  It's trying to turn into Spring, trees and bushes beginning to leaf, little buds opening up and stinging nettles already a foot tall!  John captures the changes nicely with the photos below, thank you John!

J. Loomis photo

It is President's Day weekend and it was nice to see a good turnout.  I think that a few of our runners were over at the Willits Classic.  Present were:  Gay, Mark, Geri, Nancy T., Roger, Rick, Tom T., Bob J., Greg, Judith, John, Rod, Cheryl, Laura, Cyd, Nancy and Tom (17).

J. Loomis photo

Upcoming dates and locations:  

Sun. Feb. 22, Ward Ave.  (good low tide!)
Sun. Mar. 1,  Pudding Creek Trestle
Sun. Mar. 8,  Van Damme State Park
Sun. Mar. 15, Russian Gulch
Sun. Mar. 22, Ward Ave. (another good low tide, -0.2)
Sun. Mar. 29, Caspar Logging Roads

NEXT SUNDAY, FEB. 22 @ 8:00 A.M.:  WARD AVENUE (a good low tide!)

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 Roads

"Putting miles in your training log is like putting money in the bank.  You begin to draw interest on it immediately."-- Hal Higdon

It was kind of nice this morning at Caspar.  There were a few rain drops, not many, and the wind, a bit blustery but not too bad.  The 61 degrees made it all seem worth showing up.  It was like the second time this year I wore shorts.   Not very proud of these old legs but when it's raining and warm, shorts are better than tights or pants.

Thanks to John, for the pictures that make the blog look nice and keep it interesting, I think.  John has a good eye!

Russian Gulch waterfall, J. Loomis

I thought that after the driest January ever, the muddy sections we encountered a month ago  on Road 600 would be well packed.  I guess they didn't pack, so a lot of clean 2" rock has been spread over those areas, making for tricky footing in a few areas but otherwise the road was nice.

 Old Caspar farmhouse, J. Loomis photo 

Can't blame anyone for staying home, with the rain and wind forecast that we had.  When it rains, more runners are likely to show up than walkers.  That was the case today, until a couple of late arrival walkers showed up, making it 7 walkers and 6 runners.  

Caspar watertower, J. Loomis photo

Present today:  Cyd, Cheryl, Laura, John, Nancy T., Roger, Toni, Joe, Deb, Sam, Charlene, Nancy and Tom.  Judith was still without internet, so was unsure about the venue,  but joined us for breakfast at David's (14).

Another old Caspar farmhouse, J. Loomis photo

 We might be passing the blog author duties around a little and I thought it would make it easier if I chose the upcoming locations in advance.  Then, if a new blog entry isn't posted some week, we'll still know where to go.  You can put these on your calendars or just remember they are here and come back to check.  As always, I'll gladly accept requests and would love for additional and suitable venues.

Upcoming dates and locations:  
Sun. Feb. 15, Big River
Sun. Feb. 22, Ward Ave.  (good low tide!)
Sun. Mar. 1,  Pudding Creek Trestle
Sun. Mar. 8,  Van Damme State Park
Sun. Mar. 15, Russian Gulch
Sun. Mar. 22, Ward Ave. (another good low tide, -0.2)

NEXT SUNDAY, FEB. 15, @ 8:00 A.M.:  BIG RIVER

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

"I've never known a runner who had as much patience as he needed." -- Amby Furfoot, THE RUNNER'S GUIDE TO THE MEANING OF LIFE.

Jack Peters Creek, J. Loomis photo

 This morning, was one of those first of the month days, when the ReserveAmerica reservation window opens at 8:00 a.m., for State Park Campgrounds, so Nancy and I had to stay home and take care of business.  Thanks,  Roger, for taking the roll and I'm sorry to have missed the run.  We were successful though, in reserving our San Clemente campground for later in the year.

J. Loomis photo

Present this morning:  Cheryl, Geri, Jennifer, Toni, Joe, John, Laura, Nancy B., Rick,  Rod, Charlene, Deb, Sam, Orah, Steve, Nancy T., Roger, and joining 10 others for breakfast at David's, Nancy and Tom (19).

Russian Gulch State Park, J. Loomis photo

Thanks to John L., for today's photos.  They were taken earlier and in my file here.

Asked if there was anything "special" about today's walk/run, I only heard a couple of 'it was muddy's.'  Maybe someday, a little of the State Park System's maintenance money will be diverted to Mendocino County and we could have trails to be proud of.  Until then, State Park's should be ashamed of our local trails.


NEXT SUNDAY, FEB. 8th @ 8:00 A.M.:  CASPAR LOGGING 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.

Pudding Creek Trestle/Coastal Trail

"For me, running is a great way to jump-start my day, boost my energy, and have a few minutes to plan and prioritize my schedule."-- Michael Dell

Oh, what a beautiful morning!  Did that get you to singing?  Not the purpose, it was just that kind of morning.   We checked out the new section of the Coastal Trail today.  It was just the north half of the old mill property, as it hasn't been linked to the south half yet.  They will eventually meet in the middle at Soldier Bay (?) or Fort Bragg Landing (?) or at the City Water Treatment Plant, your choice of names.  It is already a beautiful trail and will be so much better when it goes all the way from Noyo to Pudding Creek.

view from Coastal Trail, R. Thornburn photo

It was 50 degrees this morning, with calm and clear blue skies.  The large surf of the past couple of days has gone down but still remained beautiful.

Pudding Creek Trestle, J. Loomis photo

It was really nice to have four new people today.  They are friends of Katie and Melissa and I hope they will return (they are runners!!!!).  Well, at least two of them are runners, Lisa and Tabi.  Along for a free ride (in the baby jogger) were Linnaea and Zavier.  Thanks to all six of you!

Odd Couple, J. Loomis photo

Others present today:  Chuck, Charlene, Caroline, Richard, Joel, Cheryl, Laura, Cyd, John, Nancy T., Roger, Geri, Nancy B., Rick, Deb, Sam, Toni, Joe, Gay, Mark, Suzanne, Henry, Donna, Nancy and Tom (31).

Turkey vultures, J. Loomis photo

 Next weekend, Cyd is doing the 100K Ordinance Run in Monterey.  Good luck Cyd!  And, Happy Birthday to John (tomorrow) and thank you for the photos!

NEXT SUNDAY, FEB. 1ST @ 8:00 A.M.:  RUSSIAN GULCH STATE PARK, see "Our Routes" above.  I asked John to choose the venue because I will have to be on the computer at 8:00, trying to reserve a campsite with ReserveAmerica but I hope to see you all at breakfast after the run/walk.

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 Logging Road

"Is it raining?  That doesn't matter.  Am I tired?  That doesn't matter, either.  Then willpower will be no problem." -- Emil Zatopek

Big River, King tide, J. Loomis photo

We were pleasantly surprised upon arrival at Big River this morning.  It was 57 degrees, that's nice, but unlike the clear skies that current radar and satellite imagery were showing, it was raining!  I didn't expect such a nice turnout, hence the 'pleasantly surprised'.  Sometimes on the coast here, it just keeps on drizzling or raining, long after the last clouds disappear from satellite view or raindrops from the radar, I don't understand that.

J. Loomis photo

 Present this morning:  Nancy B., Rick, Orah, Steve, Deb, Sam, Cheryl, Laura, Melissa, Katie, John, Geri, Donna, Judith, Cyd, Jennifer, Nancy and Tom (18).  Sheila joined us for breakfast at David's.

Thanks, John, for so many nice photos.

NEXT SUNDAY, JANUARY 25 @ 8:00 A.M.:  PUDDING CREEK TRESTLE, see "Our Routes" above.  I have heard that the barricades have been taken down and the north half of the new coastal trail along the former mill property is now open.  We intend to run and walk from the Pudding Creek Trestle, to the south to check out the new 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.  Yaay! It is beginning to get lighter in the mornings now.

EVERY THURSDAY @ 7:00 A.M.: VAN DAMME STATE PARK, beginning at the beach.

Ward Avenue

"Go fast enough to get there, but slow enough to see."-- Jimmy Buffett

Lake Cleone, J. Loomis

It's nice to have John back, thanks for the photos!  As nice as it is to have John back, we're sorry to see Fay leave.  Thanks, Fay, for bringing a guest, Jim, today and best wishes to you on your journey.

J. Loomis photo

Also with us this morning, John's brother-in-law, Jim.  Actually, he ran a little earlier than us but was there to see us off.  Jim has been doing the Tuesday/Thursday runs with us.  Others present:  Cyd, Melissa, Katie, Fran, Charlene, Gay, Mark, Deb, Sam, Toni, Joe, Nancy B., Rick, Barbara, Zelda, Tom T., Nancy and Tom (22).

J. Loomis photo

 It was a good morning to run or to walk, 45 degrees, partly cloudy and calm.   The ocean was beautiful and it created a light hazy condition.  The pink team (minus Nancy) ran north along the beach and I'm not sure how many walkers went that way.  Nancy, John and I went south, along with many hikers.  It was interesting to see the efforts that State Parks is making towards removing the invasive ice plant.  It is a monumental job!

J. Loomis photo

 At 8:00 next Sunday, it will be high tide at 6.9 feet.  It will be nice to see Big River with all the mud flats flooded.  Where do the mosquitoes go when it floods?  For that matter, where do they hibernate or whatever when it's cold?  The forecast right now, calls for a chance of rain next weekend but that doesn't hurt the Big River Haul Road.

NEXT SUNDAY, JANUARY 18TH @ 8:00 A.M.:  BIG RIVER HAUL 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.

Russian Gulch

"You, sir, are the greatest athlete in the world."  Thanks, King."-- Exchange between Gustav V of Sweeden and Jim Thorpe at the 1912 Olympics.

R. Thornburn photo, Russian Gulch

 

This morning we met at Russian Gulch.  Conditions were perfect for hiking or running, 46 degrees, cloudy, calm and dry.  It was a great way to start another year.  Happy New Year to all!

Present today:  Deb, Charlene, Judith, Fay, Donna, Shari, Peter, Nancy B., Toni, Joe, Cyd, Laura, Cheryl, Nancy and Tom (15).

Russian Gulch Hwy. One Bridge
J. Loomis photo

Lately, it's been really dark at 7:00 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but there's only another week or so before the sun starts rising earlier each day.  I think we'll make it without changing our starting time.  In years past, we moved starting time to 7:15 for two or three weeks.

David's was very nice for breakfast today, it always is!

NEXT SUNDAY, DATE @ 8:00 A.M.:  WARD AVENUE, see "Our Routes" above.  The tide will be about 3.0 feet, not great but it will be going out and the beach runable.  The Haul Road going south and the headlands are really nice too!

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.