VAN DAMME STATE PARK

It was a beautiful Spring morning at Van Damme.  When we started out, it was 48 degrees, clear and calm.

J. Loomis photo

Present this morning, Charlene, Ron, Jan, Joe,  Mary, Fran, Nancy B., Rick, Jeff, Bob, Roger, John, Nancy and Tom (14).

J. Loomis photo

The Fern Canyon Trail is passable but just barely.  To do the three miles in it's entirety,  is very pretty but does involve going over or under a half dozen fallen trees.  When I chose this for the run/walk, I thought that the trail would be cleared by now.  I heard this morning though, that it could be mid-August before chainsaws could be run, due to nesting endangered birds.

J. Loomis photo

As for other trail news, I hear that the rock slide on Big River Road has been cleared, so we can resume running and walking there.  I think though, that come August, it will again closed for repair work.

J. Loomis photo

With the fallen trees at Van Damme, and the poison oak at Russian Gulch, we have again decided, to do the Tuesday and Thursday morning group runs at Big River.

SUNDAY, APRIL 10TH, WARD AVENUE (a good low tide at 8:00 a.m., -0.9)
SUNDAY, APRIL 17TH, NOYO HEADLANDS TRAIL - NORTH

SUNDAY, APRIL 24TH, CASPAR LOGGING ROADS

SUNDAY, MAY 1ST, POMO BLUFFS- NOYO BAY

NEXT SUNDAY, APRIL 10TH @ 8:00 A.M.:  WARD AVENUE, see "Our Routes" above.

EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY, GROUP RUNS, 7:00 A.M.,  BIG RIVER LOGGING ROAD.

CASPAR LOGGING ROAD

J. Loomis photo

It was beautiful Spring morning!  At our 8:00 start, it was 52 degrees, clear and calm, the kind of a morning that makes you want to look for brightly colored eggs along the roadway and surprises hanging from the branches.   And so, at exactly 8, off all 18...  of us went, with plastic bags in our hands, in search of eggs and treats.  Congratulations to Nancy B., for finding the Golden Egg!

Caspar barn, J. Loomis photo

Cheryl, Neil really was with us last week, even though I failed to mention it.  Neil was with us again this morning, along with:  Fran, Nancy B., Rick, Jan, Joe, Bob, Joel, Shari, Peter, Bruce, Charlene, Ron, John, Orah, Steve, Nancy and Tom (18).

Caspar Duck Pond, J. Loomis photo

Nine of us enjoyed breakfast at David's, where Kira greeted us with bunny ears on and handing out candy!
   
SUNDAY, APRIL 3RD, VAN DAMME STATE PARK   
SUNDAY, APRIL 10TH, WARD AVENUE
SUNDAY, APRIL 17TH, NOYO HEADLANDS TRAIL - NORTH

NEXT SUNDAY, APRIL 3RD @ 8:00 A.M.:  VAN DAMME STATE PARK, beginning at the beach parking lot.

EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY, GROUP RUNS, 7:00 A.M.,  beginning at the Duck Pond, Fern Cr. Road and Hwy. One, Caspar.

POMO BLUFFS PARK - NOYO BAY

Noyo Bay, J. Loomis photo

Like last week, it was raining again as we met.  I'm told though, that it rained more last week.   Today, there was a 10 or 15 minute period where it came down pretty hard and the wind really kicked up.  Unfortunately, those 10 or 15 minutes came when we were furthest away and had turned back, walking into the wind.  Of those "intrepids" from last week, only three were daring enough to have another go at it.

USCG Noyo Bay, J. Loomis photo

Present this morning:  Toni, Joe, Charlene, Ron, Mary, Jeff (at least his second appearance), John, Nancy and Tom (9).  Seven of us enjoyed breakfast at David's and were joined by Sheila and Jamie.

Spring is here and J. Loomis shows an example

and another example, thank you John for the photos

SUNDAY, MARCH 27TH, CASPAR LOGGING ROADS   
SUNDAY, APRIL 3RD, VAN DAMME STATE PARK   
SUNDAY, APRIL 10TH, WARD AVENUE

NEXT SUNDAY, MARCH 27,  8:00 A.M.: CASPAR LOGGING ROADS, see "Our Routes" above.

EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY, GROUP RUNS, 7:00 A.M.,  beginning at the Duck Pond, Fern Cr. Road and Hwy. One, Caspar.

Big River

Seals enjoying the rain - Big River

It was raining, in fact we've had nearly 11" so far in March!  The rain brought out only the most intrepid.  Worse than the rain, are all the pot-holes the rain has created on the road (he says euphemistically), really requiring a hummer to reach the parking area.

The daring souls (maybe another euphemism) were Joel, John, Nancy T. Roger, Charlene and Ron, a total of 6!

Even going for a swim

However, it was only raining lightly and the temperature was mild.  It wasn't even windy (was this really Big River), so off we went.  Only 10 minutes into the walk we were halted by a landslide and a large trees across the road.  Looking UP at some of the boulders that had been dislodged, discretion became the better part of valor. We decided to turn around, however, Joel continued past the slide - and did he return?  Several people decided to continue to run or walk along Big River towards the bridge, but Nancy and I decided it was time to go have some breakfast.  

Once again thanks to John for pictures of seals, who really don't seem to mind the rain.

SUNDAY, MARCH 20TH, POMO BLUFFS PARK- NOYO BAY  
SUNDAY, MARCH 27TH, CASPAR LOGGING ROADS   
SUNDAY, APRIL 3RD, VAN DAMME STATE PARK   
SUNDAY, APRIL 10TH, WARD AVENUE

NEXT SUNDAY, March 20th @ 8:00 A.M.: Pomo Bluffs Park- Noyo Bay
EVERY TUESDAY, GROUP RUN @ 7:00 A.M.: RUSSIAN GULCH STATE PARK, beginning on Point Cabrillo Drive, 1/10 of a mile north of it's south end.
EVERY THURSDAY, GROUP RUN @ 7:00 A.M.: VAN DAMME STATE PARK, beginning at the beach.

Russian Gulch State Park

We had a great run and walk today with a total of 19 Fog Dodgers. We had seven runners and 12 walkers. We had the benefit of bright blue skies and huge waves. Some ran down the hill, which was blocked by a gate. I'd never seen a closed gate at Russian Gulch before. No one was there, except a Park Ranger and us. The group split up into different routes. Some of us went out along the bluffs and then checked out the blow hole, which was completely filled with ocean waves shoving in large quantities of salt water. Some of us walked down the hill, clambering over the gate and down to the beach, where there wasn't much of a beach. The creek was full with muddy water clashing with the waves. Six of us went to David's and had a great time. Bruce and Susan, who had walked their dog somewhere else, joined us for breakfast.

High waves crashing on the bluffs. 

Photo taken by Shari Lyon

 

High waves come in one after the other.

Photo by Shari Lyon

 The Blow Hole, which is completely filled with water by the huge waves. 

 Photo by Shari Lyon

       

A view of the ocean from the gulch of Russian Gulch.

Photo by Toni Rizzo

SUNDAY, MARCH 13TH, BIG RIVER LOGGING ROAD
SUNDAY, MARCH 20TH, POMO BLUFFS PARK- NOYO BAY  
SUNDAY, MARCH 27TH, CASPAR LOGGING ROADS   
SUNDAY, APRIL 3RD, VAN DAMME STATE PARK   
SUNDAY, APRIL 10TH, WARD AVENUE


NEXT SUNDAY, 3/13/16 @ 8:00 A.M.: Big River Logging Road

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

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

NAVARRO RIDGE ROAD

This morning, we ran and walked on Navarro Ridge Road.  We used this venue last on May 24, 2015.  We don't do it very often because it's further than many want to drive early on a Sunday morning.  It was suggested today, that perhaps three times a year would be about right.  John said that the road kind of has seasons and the views are always different.  From the photos that John took, both today and a couple very recent, you can see why we don't want to forget about this venue, it is beautiful!

Haystacks at Elk, J. Loomis photo

John took these photos from the Navarro Ridge area.  Thanks, John!

J. Loomis photo

It was 49 degrees with overcast/foggy skies this morning.  As our hour progressed, a drizzle became heavier and heavier, so most of us were pretty wet by the time we finished.

Navarro Ridge, J. Loomis photo

Out for the walk or run this morning:  Mary, Fran, Nancy B., Rick, Toni, Joe, Shari, Peter, John, Charlene, Ron, Bob and Tom (13).

Navarro Ridge, J. Loomis

I couldn't stay for the Grange Breakfast but most did.  It's another reason that this is a good venue.  I hope that it was enjoyed by all.

Green shed, J. Loomis photo

Cow barn, J. Loomis photo

This week, it's forecasted to get rainy near the weekend.  I hope that our parking area at Russian Gulch doesn't get too muddy.  The trail in Fern Canyon is already a mess but for the walkers, there are lots of different loops and trails that make this one a very nice walk!

Potters, J. Loomis photo

SUNDAY, MARCH 6, RUSSIAN GULCH STATE PARK
SUNDAY, MARCH 13TH, BIG RIVER LOGGING ROAD
SUNDAY, MARCH 20TH, POMO BLUFFS PARK- NOYO BAY 
SUNDAY, MARCH 27TH, CASPAR LOGGING ROADS
SUNDAY, APRIL 3RD, VAN DAMME STATE PARK
SUNDAY, APRIL 10TH, WARD AVENUE

NEXT SUNDAY, MARCH 6TH @ 8:00 A.M.:  RUSSIAN GULCH STATE PARK, see "Our Routes" above.

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

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

Noyo Headlands Park- North

J. Loomis photo

This morning, we met near Glass Beach and ran and walked the trail at Noyo Headlands Park.   We did the north section, as the two halves are not joined yet and it will be awhile before they are.  When the trails connect in the future, it's going to be a great trail.  Now, it's a nice trail.

Early and cold arrivals

It was brisk when we met, 38 degrees with a steady breeze and mostly sunny skies.  John caught a picture of some kind of weird cloud formations.

strange clouds, J. Loomis photo

A nice turnout today, 31 seemingly  happy people!  Present were:  Sheila, Martha, Bill, Jordan, Mary, Heidi, Orah. Steve, Neil, Joel, Fran, Gay, Mark, Susan, Bruce, Jordan, Nancy T., Roger, Nancy B., Rick, Toni, Joe, Charlene, Ron, John, Shari, Peter, Donna, Jamie, Nancy and Tom (31).

Blackbirds, J. Loomis photo

J. Loomis photo

SUNDAY, FEB. 28TH, NAVARRO RIDGE ROAD (Great Grange Pancake Breakfast!)
SUNDAY, MARCH 6, RUSSIAN GULCH STATE PARK
SUNDAY, MARCH 13TH, BIG RIVER LOGGING ROAD
SUNDAY, MARCH 20TH, POMO BLUFFS PARK- NOYO BAY 
SUNDAY, MARCH 27TH, CASPAR LOGGING ROADS

NEXT SUNDAY, FEB. 28TH @ 8:00 A.M.:  NAVARRO RIDGE ROAD (see "Our Routes" above).  This one is a little further for those from Fort Bragg.  It's worth it for the good Grange pancake breakfast (with eggs, ham, juice and coffee).  Nice views from the ridge if it is clear.

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

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