RUSSIAN GULCH STATE PARK

This was the first morning, I think, that it was just like one of our summer mornings.  It was 49 degrees, calm and a thick overcast made it feel a little warmer than it was.

John took a photo of part of our group.  We were all jubilant to be out and about and not wearing masks!  In real life though, I think we all look a little better than in picture.  On John's photo, The Lone Ranger seems to have snuck in somehow.  He's still masked.

Present today:  Joe, Toni, Charlene, Bob, Fran, Jean, Pat, Gay, Mark, John, Nancy and Tom (12).

                                               Caspar Creek (or Puddle)

Seems as though most of us have survived Covid-19, will we survive another drought?  Water issues seem to be on everyone's mind.  Fort Bragg and Mendocino both have inadequate water storage and many with wells, are experiencing problems.

         The  Point Cabrillo Lighthouse, J. Loomis photo, as are all of today's photos.

John has many talents.  I don't know how he finds the time to do all that he does.  Lately, with whatever spare time he has had, he decided to move this log up to his house and then carve it into a totem pole!  Now, how will he get it upright?

                                                  Top section of the totem pole

Next week, we'll stay local but in two weeks, on May 30th, we'll go up to Ward Avenue and while we are there, there will be a -1.5 foot low tide.  That may not excite you but for beachcombers and walkers, that's a good low tide!

SUNDAY, MAY 23RD @ 8:OO A.M., GROUP RUN, WALK AND BIKE, POMO BLUFFS PARK.  You can always click on "Our Routes" at the top of the page to find out more about our venue and where to park.

EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY, GROUP RUN/WALK @ 7:30 A.M.:  Beginning behind the Fort Bragg Fire Station on Tuesdays and on Big River Logging Road on Thursdays.

MENDOCINO TOWN AND HEESER DRIVE

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms.  And thanks to John, for all of today's photos.  I saw on Listserv that he was selling his 5 barrel cacti, pictured below.  I don't know if he sold them or not.  A lot of interesting things pop up on MCN's Listserv.

                                     

It was windy again this morning, but not nearly as bad as it was last week.  Today, we actually had two bike riders.   Present today:  Nancy and Tom brought daughter, Shannon, and granddaughter, Logan, and her friend, Julia.  Also there: Gay, Mark, Pat, Leon, Ann, Jean, Fran, Charlene, Deb, Sam, Toni, Joe, Kim and Doug (19).

                                              Alstroemeria, J. Loomis photo

We went by Jean's place on our walk and saw her very pretty yard.  I think she may be fortunate to be on a separate water system from the town.  Many in town are having to buy truckloads of water now, and it a long time in the future before we'll get significant rainfall.

                                                       John's barrel cacti

At our 8:00 start, Mendocino was still fairly quiet on this Mother's Day.  It was easy walking the streets, very few cars.  At 9:15 when we departed, things were beginning to pick up.  We had hopeful dreams of getting into The Goodlife Bakery/Cafe but a long line outside the door quashed those dreams.  We ended up in Harvest Market, buying not the healthiest of breakfasts.  

                                                      Mendocino- Spring

                                             Posing Ravens, J. Loomis photo

                                                              Mendocino

SUNDAY, MAY 16th @ 8:OO A.M., GROUP RUN, WALK AND BIKE, RUSSIAN GULCH STATE PARK. You can always click on "Our Routes" at the top of the page to find out more about our venue and where to park.

EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY, GROUP RUN/WALK @ 7:30 A.M.:  Beginning behind the Fort Bragg Fire Station on Tuesdays and on Big River Logging Road on Thursdays.

COASTAL TRAIL - SOUTH

It was sunny and clear this morning,  but geezus was it windy!  It was windy enough that the bicycle riders decided that keeping their feet on the ground was a better choice, so, no bikes.  We did see one bike rider, kind of sailing downwind, passing us from behind, and scolding us to "keep to the right!".  Sorry, Mr. Bike Rider, our fault but couldn't hear or see you coming.

Present today:  Leon, Pat, Jean, Charlene, Cheryl, Scott, Joe, Fran, John, Bob, Nancy and Tom (12).

All of today's photos are supplied by John.  Thank you, John.  So as not to make blogger mad by rearranging them or labeling each one separately, I'll tell you here, what they're filed as in John's photo file, from top to bottom:  Jes An, Lilac Time, Under Noyo Bridge, Sea Gull, Noyo Harbor.  I like that John gives us these photos in full resolution, so if you want to copy one or blow it up, it still comes out beautifully clear.  I like today's sea gull.

There's a real good minus tide coming up on May 30, so we're going to go to Ward Avenue that morning.  Just advising those that like to walk or run the beach.

We haven't gone around Heeser Drive or the town of Mendocino for quite awhile.  Next Sunday is Mother's Day and a good way to start that off, would be to run, walk or bike there.

SUNDAY, MAY 9th @ 8:OO A.M., GROUP RUN, WALK AND BIKE, MENDOCINO HEADLANDS AND TOWN

EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY, GROUP RUN/WALK @ 7:30 A.M.:  Beginning behind the Fort Bragg Fire Station on Tuesdays and on Big River Logging Road on Thursdays.

CASPAR LOGGING ROAD

  

   Caspar Community Center

                                                             Artist Perspective, Caspar Creek, J. Loomis photo 

It was raining pretty good this morning.  I thought to myself, shouldn't have chosen Caspar Logging Road for today's run/walk, probably won't be anybody there.  Happily, I was wrong, though it was a small group today.  We walked and ran, and got pretty wet, and felt better for having done it!

                                            Caspar Old Farm House, J. Loomis photo

    

 Swallow Tail

                                              Artist in Caspar, J. Loomis photo
                                                                      

Present this morning: Pat, Joe, Kim, Doug, Bob, Nancy and Tom (7)  I'm not sure where John is today, so I've pulled a few old photos out of the archives.  Editing this in later, as John has now sent more photos.  Think I'll just try to squeeze them in somewhere.

                                   Just a little over four years ago, J. Loomis photo

                                                      Hummingbird, J. Loomis

The weather next week will be better.  I hope to see you then.

SUNDAY, MAY 2ND @ 8:OO, COASTAL TRAIL - SOUTH

EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY, GROUP RUN/WALK @ 7:30 A.M.:  Beginning behind the Fort Bragg Fire Station on Tuesdays and on Big River Logging Road on Thursdays.

WARD AVENUE

We met at Ward Avenue this morning.  It seemed pretty nice for a walk, run or bike ride.  It was something like 47 with a thick overcast or fog and just a slight breeze.  Starting off going south, all seemed good, turning around and coming back north, with the fog and wind chill, it was freeeeeezing!!

                                  

Thank you, John, for all of today's photos.  A couple of them show this morning's fog and the deer were hanging out on Ward Avenue.

                                             Noyo River Hwy. One Bridge

                                                             Skeleton trees

                                                  Pudding Creek Trestle

Present today:  Pat, Leon, Fran, Gay, Mark, Jean, Bob, John, Deb, Sam, Shari, Joe, Charlene, Susan, Bruce, Nancy and Tom (17).

                                                          Ward Avenue deer

SUNDAY, APRIL 25TH @ 8:OO, CASAPAR LOGGING ROAD

EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY, GROUP RUN/WALK @ 7:30 A.M.:  Beginning behind the Fort Bragg Fire Station on Tuesdays and on Big River Logging Road on Thursdays.

VAN DAMME STATE PARK

It seems to me that the mornings should start warming up, but they're not.  It was a chilly 41 this morning when we met at Van Damme.  We had a nice walk and run up Fern Canyon, but my fingers never did warm up.  Wildflowers are increasing.  

                                           Cherry blossoms, J. Loomis photo

It is definitely Spring though and John has provided today's pictures that prove it.  Thanks John.

                                                        Mendocino Village

                                           Spring Ranch barns, Little River

Present today:  Jean, Fran, Pat, M. T. , Barbara, Deb, Sam, John, Bob, Joe, Nancy and Tom (12).

                                                   Van Damme State Park beach

We haven't been up to Ward Avenue for awhile, so for next week,

SUNDAY, APRIL 18TH @ 8:OO, WARD AVENUE

EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY, GROUP RUN/WALK @ 7:30 A.M.:  Beginning behind the Fort Bragg Fire Station on Tuesdays and on Big River Logging Road on Thursdays.

POMO BLUFFS PARK

We had a great Easter morning, good weather and a nice turnout.  Present this morning:

Mark, Gay, Fran, Barbara, Bonnie from Placerville, Shari, Cheryl, Scott, Kim, Doug, Bob, Deb, Sam, John, Joe, Pat, Charlene, Nancy and Tom (19).

                                   

I want to thank John for all of today's pictures.  He does great work, in many fields.  This photo above, obviously the Easter Bunny, but I'm not sure if it one of his clay sculptures or something he just observed.  I'm betting it's something he created for his new grandson.

                                                The Blue Pacific, J. Loomis photo

                                                     Trillium, J. Loomis photo

Next Sunday we'll again try Van Damme State Park.  The last time we were there, the trail was badly eroded and not safe for bicycles.  It's a pretty walk up Fern Canyon and if you're walking your dog, you can walk the campground section and the up to the Upper Meadow part of the campground.  You'll get plenty of exercise!

SUNDAY, APRIL 11TH @ 8:OO, VAN DAMME STATE PARK

EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY, GROUP RUN/WALK @ 7:30 A.M.:  Beginning behind the Fort Bragg Fire Station on Tuesdays and on Big River Logging Road on Thursdays.