POMO BLUFFS

Gentle rain accompanied a few brave souls on this morning's hike. We ended up actually walking south from Pomo Bluffs through the neighborhood and returning through the campus of Mendocino College before heading toward the Noyo bridge, which we never ended up actually crossing. Hikers were John, Sky, Cindy, Charlene, Tom, Nancy, Joe and Toni. The rain was pretty light and the wind not extreme, so it ended up being a nice walk.

Afterwards five us us shared breakfast at David's Deli, which was pretty empty initially. I guess many diners were staying cozy and warm in bed until a bit later. The five of us sat at our old round table for tradition's sake.

John has supplied some photos:

French-Prune-Buds

 Garden-Bed

 

Goose-on-the-Noyo-Bluff

 

Hare-Creek

North-View-Noyo-Bay

and, for an imaginative image, Noyo-Headlands-Fanciful

NEXT SUNDAY, March 5 @ 8:00 A.M.: GROUP RUN/WALK/BIKE, Ward Avenue. Hopefully we will start seeing the gray whales. You can click on the "Our Routes" tab at the top to get directions, if needed.

EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY, GROUP RUN/WALK @ 7:30 A.M.: COASTAL TRAIL - MIDDLE, behind the Fort Bragg Fire Station.

A relatively small group this week hiked the Caspar Logging Road. Hikers were John, Tom, Nancy, Sky, Deb, Sam, Toni, Joe and Charlene, who brought her granddaughter, Haley, along with her friend, Jake. However this group was soon joined by Jean and Sarah, who arrived a little late. It started out pretty cold, but we all soon warmed up. A lovely sunny day. It was a bit difficult on the way out, as the sun was shining directly toward us as we hiked up the road.

Afterwards seven of us shared breakfast at the Home Style Cafe, which was pretty busy, probably because of the Presidents Day weekend.

As usual John has provided some wonderful photos.

Caspar-Pond-Goose

Early-Morning-Noyo-River-Feb-2023

Fern-Creek-Cow

 

Fern-Creek-Rental

Noyo-Harbor-Boat-heading-out

 Scott-Fog-Dodger-Runner

 Spring-Flowering-Plums

 

NEXT SUNDAY, FEB. 26TH, @ 8:00 A.M.: GROUP RUN/WALK/BIKE, POMO BLUFFS - NOYO BAY. You can click on the "Our Routes" tab at the top to get directions, if needed.

EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY, GROUP RUN/WALK @ 7:30 A.M.: COASTAL TRAIL - MIDDLE, behind the Fort Bragg Fire Station.

MENDOCINO HEADLANDS

I sizable group of the Fog Dodgers hiked along the headlands and through the town of Mendocino. We pretty much filled the parking area at the headlands restrooms and along the opposite side of the street. A new hiker, Judy Leach, joined Cindy, Bob, Sam, Deb, Diana, Jeff, Jean, John, Tom, Nancy, Shari, Barbara, Charlene, Sarah, and Sky. Beautiful clear weather. There were not many people out and about at that hour in the town.

Several of us then went to breakfast at St Anthony's for their pancake breakfast while others went to the Good Life Cafe, which offered more choices.

Here are some photos by John Loomis:

 Daffodil-Mendocino

Dicks-Place

 

Door-to-Heaven-Mendocino

 

Fence-Repair

Spider's-Web

NEXT SUNDAY, FEB. 19TH, @ 8:00 A.M.: GROUP RUN/WALK/BIKE, CASPAR LOGGING ROAD (JACKSON STATE FOREST ROAD 500) planning more of the coastal routes for March when the whales come)  You can click on the "Our Routes" tab at the top to get directions, if needed.

EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY, GROUP RUN/WALK @ 7:30 A.M.: COASTAL TRAIL - MIDDLE, behind the Fort Bragg Fire Station.

BIG RIVER ROAD

Several fogsters braved the rain and hiked the haul road up Big River with minimal sprinkles most of the time. Those hiking were Shari, Toni, Joe, Sam, Deb, Tom, Nancy, Jean, Sky, and Bob. It was wonderful to see the occasionally increased rain falling on Big River below us.

8 of us 8 breakfast at the GoodLife Cafe and witnessed some intense bursts of rain while indoors enjoying or meal and companionship.

Here are John's photos for the week:

North Looking Mendocino

Jack Peters Creek Cloud Display

Kelly House February

Big River Dormant Trees

Big River East

NEXT SUNDAY, February 12 @ 8:00 A.M.: GROUP RUN/WALK/BIKE, MENDOCINO HEADLANDS

EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY, GROUP RUN/WALK @ 7:30 A.M.: COASTAL TRAIL - MIDDLE, behind the Fort Bragg Fire Station.

PUDDING CREEK TRESTLE

We met at the Pudding Creek Trestle this morning.  It was really windy and something like 46 degrees.  There were more stocking caps and hoodies today.  We all had a good time, though it was a bit difficult to talk or hear while walking in to the wind.  Coming back, with the wind at our backs, it was an easy walk.

Thanks to John for all of todays photos.  They were all (but one, the Point Arena Lighthouse) taken in the vicinity of our run/walk today.

                                       

                                         

                                            PUDDING CREEK BEACH AND TRESTLE

                                       

Credit to Sara and Bob today, the only runners.  Bob wasn't exactly with us but doing his own run just behind us on the Coastal Trail.  He's trying to keep to softer surfaces for awhile.  I sure wish we could interest more runners.  The Fog Dodgers are evolving and not necessarily in a good way.  We started, in 1998, as a running group.  Soon after beginning, we began to have walkers or hikers start joining.  This was all great and we would have large numbers every week and everyone had someone that walked or ran at their pace.  Now though, we're getting old and mostly walking.  If you know of any young neighbors or friends, please invite them to come out for a run or walk.  It's good if they bring a friend.  This helps them get used to the group and not feel so alone.  When someone new shows up, please reach out to them, introduce yourself and find out a little about them.  Okay, off my soapbox now.

Others present:  Diana, Jeff, Charlene, Fran, Jean, Toni, Deb, Sam, Shari, Peter, Sky, Kim, Doug, John, Nancy and Tom (18).

                                                  YELLOW HOUSE - FORT BRAGG

                                        

                                                FORT BRAGG - SKUNK TRAIN YARD

As of now, we have 5 days of rain or showers beginning next Thursday.  There's not a lot of rain during the period and so I'm hoping that the puddles on the Big River Road won't be too big nor the road too muddy on Sunday.

                                                      POINT ARENA LIGHTHOUSE

Nine of us enjoyed breakfast this morning at Homestyle Cafe.

                                                                RAVEN SILOUETTE

NEXT SUNDAY, 02/05/23, @ 8:00 A.M.: GROUP RUN/WALK/BIKE, BIG RIVER LOGGING ROAD.  You can click on the "Our Routes" tab at the top to get directions, if needed.

EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY, GROUP RUN/WALK @ 7:30 A.M.: COASTAL TRAIL - MIDDLE, behind the Fort Bragg Fire Station.

WARD AVENUE

Sunday, January 22, 2023

Though my alarm clock failed to go off I was able to make it up to Ward Avenue just as the group was coming back into sight. Attending were: Charlene, Morning, Shari, John, Diana, Jeff, Joe (technically), Nancy,Tom, Fran, Mark, Gay, Sky, Jean and a new hiker, Karen (15). A beautiful sunny morning with large waves and near high tide, a king tide. The wind made it quite bracing, especially on the return going into the wind. The road to the parking area at the point has been cleared after the last storm.

Here are John's photos for this week's blog:

Mackerricher-Beach-looking-north

 Mackerricher-Beach-Parking

 

Mackerricher-Fisherman

 

(I love the way John caught the action of the cast, with the rod bending)

Mackerricher-Jan-2023

Mackerricher-King-Tide-on-the-way

 

And some photos provided by Shari

Photo of the group, those who made it out to the point

 

Group photo with Shari

Sunrise photo (with UFO?)

After the walk several of us went to the Caspar Community Center for breakfast and we were joined by Peter. Good to see him again.

NEXT SUNDAY, January 29 @ 8:00 A.M.: GROUP RUN/WALK/BIKE Pudding Creek Trestle (Haul Road)

EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY, GROUP RUN/WALK @ 7:30 A.M.: COASTAL TRAIL - MIDDLE, behind the Fort Bragg Fire Station.

COASTAL TRAIL - SOUTH

Sunday, January 15, 2023

A break in the rain brought out a large contingent this Sunday: Sheri, John, Sam, Deb, Jeff, Dianna, Scott, Cheryl, Sara, Bob, Joe, Kim, Doug, Charlene,Tom, Nancy and Sky (17).  There were some muddy spots on the trail but this route was a good one for a post-rain walk, with most of it paved.

As often, John provides photos for this week's blog:

Signs of Spring

 

Early Morning Sunrise - Ft Bragg

Tommy's Marine - reflection in a puddle

Teresa Marie

John pointed out that, in spite of heavy seas there was a party boat out fishing on the ocean. The waves were large enough that the boat completely disappeared in the troughs between them. Probably not the most fun fishing excursion.

After the walk a large group tried to go to David's Deli. We have not had breakfast there for a long time. however it was too busy, so we went to the Home Style and were seated a one long table for a very convivial breakfast.

NEXT SUNDAY, Ward Avenue @ 8:00 A.M.: GROUP RUN/WALK/BIKE

EVERY TUESDAY AND THURSDAY, GROUP RUN/WALK @ 7:30 A.M.: COASTAL TRAIL - MIDDLE, behind the Fort Bragg Fire Station.