CASPAR LOGGING ROADS

Nice morning, I think about 47 degrees, clear blue skies and no wind.

Caspar horses, J. Loomis photo

Present today:  Catherine, Tom T., Cheryl N., Neil, Shari, Nancy B., Rick, Charlene, Ron, Susan, Bruce, Joe, Toni, Jan, Joel, Bob, John, Nancy and Tom (19).

J. Loomis photo, Caspar Church

It was just a very nice morning, not much else I can say.  It's Super Bowl Sunday, if that means anything to you.   If you favor one of the teams, I hope your team wins or won.

Caspar barn, J. Loomis photo

The weather is forecasted to continue very pleasant for at least the next two weeks, enjoy!

Caspar llama, J. Loomis photo

I don't want to project future venues too far into the future because we're still hoping day to day, that we will get word of the two Coastal Headlands Trails connection process being completed.  Once that happens, I think we will meet out there more often.  But for now:

Sunday, Feb. 18th, 8:00 A.M., Group Run and Walk, Big River

NEXT SUNDAY, FEB. 11TH, 8:00 A.M., GROUP RUN AND WALK, PUDDING CREEK TRESTLE (see "Our Routes" above).

EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY, GROUP RUNS AT 7:00 A.M.  TUESDAYS AT BIG RIVER AND THURSDAYS AROUND MENDOCINO, BEGINNING AT THE HEESER DR. RESTROOMS.

Noyo Coastal Headlands Trail- South

Nicest morning we've had in awhile, it was great to be out.  We were hoping that the two halves of the Coastal Trail would be connected for this one but they aren't.  The Fort Bragg City Planner has told me that they are hoping to open it all around mid-February, others have heard March.  It will really be nice whenever they do, and I'm sure that Joel will be relieved to not have to circle so many times.

Noyo River and harbor entrance, J. Loomis

It was 43 degrees and the sky was mostly sunny.   The ocean and was beautiful with lots of whitewater nearshore.  It seems as though it was warmer for Roger and Nancy's hike/kayak adventure:

photo from Roger, thank you!

Present today:  Gay, Mark, Cheryl N.,, Neil, Joel, Lucinda, Toni, Joe, Charlene, Ron, Nancy B., Rick, Rod, John, Nancy and Tom (16).  Nine of us enjoyed breakfast and conversation at David's Restaurant afterwards.

Noyo Mooring Basin, J. Loomis photo

NEXT SUNDAY, FEB. 4TH, 8:00 A.M., GROUP RUN AND WALK, CASPAR LOGGING ROADS.

EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY, GROUP RUNS AT 7:00 A.M.  TUESDAYS AT BIG RIVER AND THURSDAYS AROUND MENDOCINO, BEGINNING AT THE HEESER DR. RESTROOMS.

Big River

Big River, J. Loomis photo

It was 44 degrees and breezy at our 8:00 a.m. start.  We

succeeded though, in keeping everyone from jumping 

the gun, which is what often happens when the conditions

are such.

We returned  to Big River today.  We had stopped running and hiking there last August, due to mosquitoes and pending road construction.  State Parks installed a really nice bridge where there was formerly a culvert.  There was a threat of a "blowout" of that culvert in a heavy storm and by removing it and all of the soil above it, they could restore the creek and create salmon spawning habitat.  At least that it what I was told and it makes sense.

     

Big River also, thank you, John.

Sunday, Jan. 28th, Noyo Headlands Park - South, across from Taco Bell.  It said in the Advocate News that the two halves of the Coastal Trail are now connected and to open in January.  I checked this week with the City Planner and was told that they are hoping for "mid February", so maybe in three weeks or so.




Present today:  Gay, Mark, Shari, Peter, Tom T., Joe, Nancy T., Roger, Nancy B., Rick, Geri, Cheryl N., Neil, Liz, Bob, Jan, Ron, John, Nancy and 
Tom (20).




NEXT SUNDAY, JAN. 28th  @ 8:00 A.M.: GROUP RUN AND WALK, NOYO HEADLANDS PARK - SOUTH.  (see "Our Routes" above).


EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY, GROUP RUN @ 7:00 A.M.:   Tuesdays at BIG RIVER LOGGING ROAD  and Thursdays around MENDOCINO, beginning at the restrooms on Heeser Dr.

UPPER RUSSIAN GULCH STATE PARK

J. Loomis photo

Today's run/walk was an experiment.   I always welcome suggestions for new venues and today's was a request.  I think it will work out great in the future, with a better job by me in describing the venue.  I apologize for not describing the routes with more detail.  Today's, was either uphill or downhill, but rarely flat.  That doesn't work well for some and is perfect for others.

Russian Gulch waterfall, J. Loomis photo

Thanks, Zelda, for this photo

It was 53 degrees at our start, a perfect morning!  Present today: Zelda, thanks for bringing back, Lala, Karl and Andreis, Charlene, Catherine, Nancy B., Rick, Cheryl N., Neil, Shari, Peter, Toni, Joe, 

Geri, Nancy T., Roger, Joel, Bob, Nicole, Cheryl, Rod, Jan, John, Nancy and Tom (26).

Next week, we will go back to Big River.  We haven't gone there since being chased out by the mosquitoes last summer.  It will be fine now and you will get to see the new bridge, which is now completed.    On the following week, we will again run and walk the Noyo Headlands Park - South.  It should now be connected to the North trail, which will make it a great venue for all, whether you go short or long.

Sunday, Jan. 21st, Big River, the Big River Road is again open and for the time being, mosquito free.

Sunday, Jan. 28th, Noyo Headlands Park - South, across from Taco Bell.  It said in the Advocate News that the two halves of the Coastal Trail are now connected and to open in January, we will see.


NEXT SUNDAY, JAN. 21st  @ 8:00 A.M.: GROUP RUN AND WALK, BIG RIVER LOGGING ROAD.


EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY, GROUP RUN @ 7:00 A.M.:  MENDOCINO, beginning at the restrooms on Heeser Dr.

POMO BLUFFS - HARE CREEK - NOYO BAY

It was a beautiful morning but cold.  It was 40 degrees at start time and whichever way we chose to go, there would be a little breeze of about 5 mph into our faces.  It makes for watery eyes and drippy noses but it's all good!

thanks, Nancy, for a photo of today's venue
Photos are all "clickable", bringing up a much larger image

Tomorrow it's going to rain.  The breeze has already swung around to be SSE, so as we ran, it was hard not to notice the smell of pancakes and bacon that must have come from David's.  On cold mornings, it just kind of hangs in the air.

I'm not sure if that had any effect upon Joe, he had made a resolution to eat healthy in 2018.  When we went to David's for breakfast, he ordered this special................

Way to go Joe! (if you have trouble seeing, that is vanilla atop blueberry)

We had a small group today:  Joe, Toni, Geri, Nancy T., Roger, Shari, Cheryl N., Neil, Charlene, Ron, Jan, Nancy and Tom (13).

Raven, J. Loomis photo

sunny bench, Pomo Bluffs Park, J. Loomis photo

Sunday, Jan. 14th Upper Russian Gulch State Park, beginning on Road 409, 3.2 miles east of Hwy One.  It is right where the paved road ends and there is a sign that says, "Horse Camp".  Sections of the trail may be muddy.  Also, you'll need to use your watch to know when to turn around.  Runners may do a loop course but hikers probably an out and back route.

Sunday, Jan. 22nd, Big River, the Big River Road is again open and for the time being, mosquito free.

Sunday, Jan. 29th, Noyo Headlands Park - South, across from Taco Bell.  It said in the Advocate News that the two halves of the Coastal Trail are now connected and to open in January, we will see!

NEXT SUNDAY, JAN. 14TH, 8:00 A.M., GROUP RUN AND HIKE,  Upper Russian Gulch (described just above).  This is a beautiful trail leading to the Russian Gulch Waterfall.  Maybe this week's rain will bring the waterfall flow up.  The rain may also have left sections of the trail muddy, so be prepared for that.

EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY, GROUP RUN @ 7:00 A.M.:  MENDOCINO, beginning at the restrooms on Heeser Dr.

LAKE CLEONE

J. Loomis photo

 Happy New Year to all.  This morning, we met at Lake Cleone.  I think that everyone, both runners and hikers chose to go south, mostly on the Haul Road.  Joel ran the single track along the bluff.  It was nice this morning, about 49  degrees, I've forgotten now for sure.  The ocean and clouds were beautiful!

Lake Cleone boardwalk, J. Loomis photo

Out to enjoy the last morning of the year:  Steve and his daughter, Jodie, (thanks Steve), Zelda, Cheryl N., Neil, Shari, Peter, Jan, Joel, Nancy T., Roger, John, Nancy and Tom.  We met Toni for breakfast at David's (15).

Ten Mile Beach and morning mist, J. Loomis photo

I've got a bit of good news, Big River Road is again open!  We'll go there often, as long as the mosquitoes are still sleeping.  This week, the Mid-week Fog Dodgers will check it out on Tuesday.  Soon also, I think, the two halves of our new Coastal Trail should be connected and that will give many options out there.  Things are looking better!

Invite your friends to join us.  We will always enjoy more members, especially runners.


Sunday, Jan. 7th, Group Run and Walk, POMO BLUFFS - HARE CREEK (see "Our Routes" above)

Sunday, Jan. 8th Upper Russian Gulch State Park, beginning on Road 409, 3.2 miles east of Hwy One.  It is right where the paved road ends and there is a sign that says, "Horse Camp".

Sunday, Jan. 15th, Big River


NEXT SUNDAY,  JAN. 7TH, GROUP RUN AND WALK, POMO BLUFFS - HARE CREEK - NOYO BAY, beginning at the Pomo Bluffs Parking Lot.
     depending upon how fast you go, there's many options built into this one.

EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY, GROUP RUN @ 7:00 A.M.: This Tuesday (Jan. 2), we will return to Big River and check out how this one is.   On Thursday (Jan. 4th), we will run at Mendocino, beginning at the Heeser Dr. restrooms.   

POINT CABRILLO LIGHTHOUSE and CASPAR UPLAND TRAIL

Merry Christmas everybody!  A lot of the Fog Dodgers are away visiting family.  Present today:  Zelda, Steve, Charlene, Ron, Nancy T., Roger, Jan, Bob, Nancy and Tom.  Afterwards, we went to David's for breakfast and were joined by Toni, Geri and Rick (13).

Point Cabrillo Lighthouse, J. Loomis photo

This run/walk today, was kind of a test.  It was the first time for this venue and we didn't know how it would work out, time and distance-wise.   I think it worked out well for both walking and running.  Now, if it gets wetter, the runners may have problems, as part of the trail gets pretty flooded.  For running, the whole loop came out to 3.78 miles, with almost 400' of ascent.  It's a good loop!

Greetings from John

Pt. Cabrillo Lighthouse on a foggier morning, J. Loomis photo

Skip Brand owns the Healdsburg Running Company.  It's a great little shoe store and they sponsor many races, runs and other activities.  At each event, they try to photograph some or all of the people that were present.   It has been suggested by several, to include some "people pictures" on our blog and that would make it more interesting, I agree.  We will try to do that.  Today's photos came out kind of fuzzy so we'll work on it.  There was this one that could be used.  Would anyone like to be "the people" photographer?  It almost has to be one of the walkers, as the runners all have to take off at exactly 8:00 and John already has done his volunteer photography long before that.

Sunday, Dec. 31st, Group Run and Walk,  Lake Cleone, starting right in the parking lot at Lake Cleone, MacKerricher State Park.  You can run/walk from there in all directions.

Sunday, Jan. 7th, Group Run and Walk, POMO BLUFFS - HARE CREEK (see "Our Routes" above)

Sunday, Jan. 8th Upper Russian Gulch State Park, beginning on Road 409, 3.2 miles east of Hwy One.  It is right where the paved road ends and there is a sign that says, "Horse Camp".

NEXT SUNDAY,  DEC. 31st, GROUP RUN AND WALK, Lake Cleone, beginning at the Parking Lot.


EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY, GROUP RUN @ 7:00 A.M.,  MENDOCINO, starting at the Heeser Drive restrooms.