WARD AVENUE

It was another perfect morning for running and walking.   We met at Ward Ave., giving us the option of either going north along the beach or south along the Haul Road.  It was 49 degrees, calm and mostly sunny, right on the edge of the coastal fog.

R. Thornburn photo

This is not Ward Avenue.  If you look closely, you'll see that it's Nancy, having her morning coffee in Maui.  I guess that she did not miss Ward Avenue too much.

J. Loomis photo, MacKerricher coot

                                   
Thank you Jackie, for bringing a new person, Cindy.  I hope she enjoyed it enough to keep coming back.   Welcome to the Fog Dodgers, Cindy!

J. Loomis photo, MacKerricher

Others present this morning:  Geri, Cindy P., Fran, Nancy B., Rick, Gay, Mark, Greg, Toni, Shari,
Lisa, Tabi, Linnaea, Zavier, Melissa, Katie, John, Nancy and Tom (21).  Joel was there on his bike and I'll assume that he came to see us, so (22!)

J. Loomis photo, Lake Cleone

J. Loomis photo, Lake Cleone

We haven't been to Ten Mile River since last August, so you'll see it scheduled below.  It's only 5 minutes further than where we met today, so don't stay home thinking it's too far away.  It is a great road for walking, running and biking.

Sun. April 26, Van Damme State Park
Sun. May 3, Big River (cut it short, use it as a warm up, and head to Boonville Classic 10:00 )
Sun. May 10, Caspar (Mother's Day, great start to the day, Mom!)
Sun. May 17, Ten Mile River Logging Road

NEXT SUNDAY, April 26 @ 8:00 A.M.:  Van Damme State Park (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 and Pudding Creek

All of the "bloggers" were busy the past couple of weeks but I trust that some of you were here and hopefully took advantage of the pre-published schedule and had a good run or walk.  John Loomis was nice enough to send me the photos below so at least the blog would look nice, even if I had nothing to say.

Pudding Creek sunrise and barn, J. Loomis

Next Sunday, we'll start at Ward Avenue in Cleone.  There's a -0.9 low tide just before our start time so for those wanting to beach comb or run on the flat and damp sand, it should be very nice.  Walking or running to the south and around the Laguna Point area is very pretty.  Whichever way you choose, it's a good place to start.

Foggy Pudding Creek, J. Loomis

Cyd completed the Zion 100 Mile Race, so we're anxious to hear the details of that.  Congratulations!

Mendocino sunburst, J. Loomis

The weather continues to be great.  Looking forward to seeing everyone on Sunday!

Sun. April 5,  Big River
Sun. April 12, Pudding Creek Trestle (MacKerricher Haul Road)
Sun. April 19, Ward Ave.,  -0.9 tide at 6:30
Sun. April 26, Van Damme State Park

NEXT SUNDAY, APRIL 19TH @ 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.

CASPAR LOGGING ROADS

It was a little chilly this morning, but not too bad.  We met at "the scales" on J.S.F. Road 500.  It was 42 degrees under bright blue and calm skies.

Caspar Sunrise, J. Loomis photo

Thanks, Charlene, for bringing your d-i-l, Amber.  Amber has been here before.  Also present today:  Nancy T., Roger, Nancy B., Jennifer, Donna, Melissa, Katie, Cyd, Cindy, Jim, Greg, Gay, Mark, Tom T., Joe, John, Shari, Nancy and Tom (21).

Spring Iris, J. Loomis photo

Most of the group chose to start out going uphill, six of us started downhill.  Going down today seemed tiring but coming back uphill, I was happy that I chose what I did.  It was really a good morning for a run or a hike.  There is still a lot of loose rock on Road 600, so if you're going for a bike ride, 500 is the better choice.

Caspar Creek, J. Loomis photo

When we started at 8:00, Cyd was starting her second six mile.  When we finished at 9:00, Cyd was starting her third six mile, with another one to do after that!  Just two weeks from now, she will be running her 100 Mile Zion Run!

Caspar barn, J. Loomis photo

Thanks to John for today's pictures!

Caspar blooms, J. Loomis photo

Sun. April 5,  Big River
Sun. April 12, Pudding Creek Trestle (MacKerricher Haul Road)
Sun. April 19, Ward Ave.,  -0.9 tide at 6:30
Sun. April 26, Van Damme State Park

Suggestion, copy and paste the above schedule on an email to yourself and save it.  Then, if I don't show up on Sunday, you'll know where to meet.

NEXT SUNDAY, APRIL 5 @ 8:00 A.M.: BIG RIVER, 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

Grey Whale skeleton, MacKerricher State Park
J. Loomis photo

Great day!  55 degrees, overcast/sunny skies, no wind and we got a new member!  I think.  Thanks, Michelle, for coming today and please keep coming!  Also with us today, was Healdsburg Tony.  Tony comes each year after obliterating his age group in the Whale Run.  He's fast and friendly and loves the coast!

Grey Whale tail, I think, J. Loomis photo

Thanks to John, for today's photos.  He's on a Whale theme here, likely because this weekend is the Annual Whale Festival.

Yesterday, at the Whale Run and Walk, we (Fog Dodgers and frequent visitors) did very well.  Congratulations to Marc, the Overall Race Walk winner, covering the 3.1 miles at a 11:05 pace, finishing in 34:25.  Amazing!    To Tony, First Place 5K, Male 60-69, Nancy, First Place 5K, Female 70+, Sarah, First Place Female 30-39,  Cyd, First Place 5K, Female 20-29, and  Bob got a third place behind Tony in the 60-69 group,  then Tom and John came in in fifth and sixth.

Lake Cleone, J. Loomis photo

Also present today:  Lisa, Toni, Joe, Nancy T., Roger, John, Joel, Cheryl, Nancy and Tom (12).  Small turnout today and I'm not sure why.  Perhaps the rain forecast or not wanting to walk/run on the beach, oh well.  Next week's venue is really nice for both running and walking.  We will be on the Caspar Logging Roads and hope that you will join us.

Snowy Egret, J. Loomis photo

Sun. Mar. 29, Caspar Logging Roads
Sun. April 5,  Big River
Sun. April 12, Pudding Creek Trestle (MacKerricher Haul Road)

NEXT SUNDAY, MARCH 29 @ 8:00 A.M.: CASPAR LOGGING ROADS, 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

It was a nice morning to run or walk.  We were at Russian Gulch and it was a calm, overcast and 58 degrees, sort of perfect conditions.  A new runner joined with us today, thanks Katie for bringing Jackie.  Jackie lives locally and hopefully she will continue to run with us.

Pink Peonies, J. Loomis

Though a little early, it has certainly seemed Spring-like, with all the trees beginning to leaf and bloom.  John must be in a Spring mood, pictures of new plants and little critters building nests.

Humming bird nest building, J. Loomis

Others present today:  Fran, Bob J., Nancy B., Rick, Shari, Peter, Melissa, Rod, Bob, John, Cyd, Joe, Nancy and Tom (16).

Spring broccoli, J. Loomis

Next Saturday is the Whale Run and Walk.  It is a nice race and supports a good cause.  If you're going, pass the Fog Dodger invite on to all the friends you talk with.

Spring peas, J. Loomis

Okay, that's enough Spring stuff.  Hope the remainder of your weekend is fun and hope to see everyone next Sunday!

Sun. Mar. 22, Ward Ave. (another good low tide, -0.2)
Sun. Mar. 29, Caspar Logging Roads
Sun. April 5,  Big River
Sun. April 12, Pudding Creek Trestle (MacKerricher Haul Road)

NEXT SUNDAY, MARCH 22 @ 8:00 A.M.: WARD AVENUE, see "Our Routes" above.  There's a   -0.2 tide and so running and walking the beach would be good for those wanting to.

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.

Sunday, March 8, 2015

"I'm the walkingest girl around. I like to work at it — really get my heart pounding." Amy Yasbeck

 We all remembered to set our clocks back last night - or our devices did that for us while we slept. In any case, our group reduced from 26 runners and walkers this week to 12. Our runners were John L. , Rod and Bob C. The walkers included Charlene, Joe, Fran, Steve & Orah, Nancy B. and Rick. six of us had breakfast together at the Little River Inn. We experienced a chilly air and foggy sky. Enjoyed watching the geese sort our their relationships at the Little River where it meets the ocean.

Foggy Day at Van Damme by J. Loomis

Fog Surrounds Remnants of Spring Ranch by J. Loomis

View of Van Damme Spring Flowers by Unknown Phtographer

The Whale Run is coming up March 21st. Don't forget that there are many walkers there as well. Mark it on you calendar. 

 NEXT SUNDAY, MARCH 15TH @ 8:00 A.M.: RUSSIAN GULCH STATE PARK

Sun. Mar. 22, Ward Ave. (another good low tide, -0.2)
Sun. Mar. 29, Caspar Logging Roads
Sun. April 5,  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.

Sunday, March 1, 2015

Pudding Creek Trestle

I only went out for a walk, and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in. John Muir, 1913, in Linnie Marsh Wolfe, ed., John of the Mountains: The Unpublished Journals of John Muir, 1938

We had a large assembly this morning. All expected me to lead them in a specific direction, but I fooled them and chose to go south and others expected to go north and I said, "go whichever you desire." And they did. So most went north and some went south and we all convened again at the starting point.

Colorful house near Pudding Creek Trestle trail by J. Loomis

This week we had seven runners: Lisa and Tabi and their children, Linnaea and Zavier, John L., Cheryl W., Cyd, Bob C., Melissa and Randy. Joel was our sole bicyclist. Our collection of walkers was impressive. We had Suzanne & Henry, Toni, Judith, Bob ., Gerri, Steve & Orah, Fran, Mark & Gaye, Neil & Cheryl, and Rick & Nancy (26).

Trestle Bridge with over-flying birds by J. Loomis

Beautiful cypress trees by J. Loomis

Decommissioned rails and water tank by J. Loomis

The Whale Run is coming up March 21st. Don't forget that there are many walkers there as well. Mark it on you calendar. Today, seven of our large group went to David's for breakfast.

Sun. Mar. 15, Russian Gulch
Sun. Mar. 22, Ward Ave. (another good low tide, -0.2)
Sun. Mar. 29, Caspar Logging Roads
Sun. April 5,  Big River

NEXT SUNDAY, MARCH 8 @ 8:00 A.M.:  Van Damme State Park
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.