OCEAN RIDGE DRIVE-BOWER PARK-BULBS

Meet at 9:50 at pullout for Gualala business directory north of bridge to carpool and at Mary Sue's house at 38240 Ocean Ridge Drive at 10:00. (Turn left off Old Stage Road past Pacific Woods going north.) Hike on Ocean Ridge Drive and on informal trails surrounding Bower Park and the area for the proposed recreation center. Try and see if you can discover if you are retracing your steps or covering new ground as you leader tried to focus on where she is going. End back at Mary Sue's garden where there are bound to be some bulbs in bloom. Lunch optional or eat your lunch in Mary Sue's garden.
Leader: Mary Sue Ittner

ALDER CREEK - MANCHESTER STATE BEACH

Ginger found a message in a bottle - time recorded

We found a Styrofoam log on the beach. . .

and had to remove it.

The Baby Blue Eyes were in full bloom!

Lunch with Beverly in her spectacular garden.

Carpool at Anchor Bay (west side of Hwy 1) at 9:15. The hike starts at the public access from Highway One on about mile marker 22.27 at 9:45. We will turn in at Alder Creek Beach Road, then turn directly left and park on the road that parallels Highway One. We will walk down the road where it is closed until we come to the trail that leads to the environmental campground hoping to see iris, poppies, and baby blue eyes along the way and walk back via the beach if we can. We will have lunch afterwards at Beverley Thompson's lovely garden to view spring flowers (Rhododendrons and Azaleas to name a few.)
Leaders: Bob Rutemoeller & Mary Sue Ittner

BLACK & BIHLER FLOWERS AND BLUFF WALK

Carpool at pullout for Gualala business directory just north of bridge at 9:45 and meet at the Sea Ranch Lodge at 10:00. We will be exploring the marvelous wildflower displays this time of the year (it was not the usual color explosion, the flowers on the bluff seem to be a bit late this year, but we did see a few signs of spring.)  on the Black and Bihler footpaths finally intersecting with the Blufftop Trail and heading north. At post 7 we will take the Sea Meadow Trail and when it intersects with the Blufftop Trail again we will this time turn south. Lunch was enjoyed at the chairs outside of the Lodge.  About 1/2 hour after the hike ended the rain began.
Leader: Jane Seck brought us oatmeal chocolate chip cookies - yummmm

HORSESHOE COVE--SALT POINT NORTH

Footsteps of Spring - photo credit:  Mary Sue Ittner

photo credit:  Mary Sue Ittner

Meet at 10:00 at pullout for Gualala business directory north of bridge to carpool and at The Sea Ranch Lodge at 10:15. Park at MM 44.00 at Salt Point. The turnoff is tricky; turnoff at MM44 even though the sign says Turnout 1/4 mile. This hike is quite steep in places so hiking sticks and boots are recommended. Hike on the trail staying right at the fork until you go over the crest of the hill and have a beautiful view of Horseshoe Cove. Descend sharply until you reach the Bluff. Walk south along the bluff until about 11:30 and retrace your steps until we reach a magical rock formation for lunch. The return to the cars after lunch will be uphill, but this is a gorgeous spot so worth the effort.
Leader: Gary Sprague