TIMBER RIDGE ROAD -- POSH SQUASH

Meet at 10:00 at pullout for Gualala business directory north of bridge to carpool and/or at the end of Verdant View near the Ranch Cafe at 10:15. Hang tags needed for non Sea Ranchers. Walk on informal path west to Timber Ridge Road. Walk south on this road until the end of the road. This is a forested road with ups and downs so a hiking stick could be helpful but is not mandatory. When we reach the end, we will turn around and walk back stopping at the Posh Squash where there are picnic tables where we can eat our lunch and survey the vegetable gardens. Note: added on a side trip to the tower.
Leader: Laura Bridge
Mileage: 3.8
photos contributed by Bob R, and Phil

WALK ON JOYCE'S PROPERTY AND FROG SONG VISIT (New)

all photos by Bob Rutemoeller

Meet at 9:20 at pullout for Gualala business directory and/or at Bower Park at 9:30 to carpool. The final carpool spot will be at Ten Mile (Cutoff) Road and Eureka Hill Road at 9:50. Joyce Nugent will lead us to her house. She only has room for 4, perhaps 5, cars so car pooling is essential if very many people come. The hike starts in the back of  her house. Go through the meadow to a path that leads to a swimming hole at the Garcia River. Continue on this private road through the community area passing interesting out buildings including a studio, winery and an outdoor pizza oven. Keep going until you reach the creek on a logging road; continue on up a rather challenging hill. Then down the dirt road back to the house.  After walking this loop we will drive to Frog Song, Sandy Scott's amazing garden, where we will have an opportunity to explore all the special features. There will be a lot of inviting places in her garden where we can eat our lunches.

MANCHESTER STATE BEACH AND THOMPSON HEATHER GARDENS

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

Meet at 9:05 at pullout for Gualala business directory and 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 to the ocean and then go south on the beach and then return. We will drive to the Thompson garden afterwards for lunch. There will be a little beach walking, but there aren't rocks to scramble over and Manchester Beach is very pretty. The Thompson garden, always wonderful, in August is a feast for the eyes with the heathers in bloom.
Leaders: Mary Sue Ittner and Bob Rutemoeller

HARRIS RANCH ROAD AND FROG SONG GARDEN

Carpool at pullout for Gualala business directory just north of the bridge at 9:30 or at Bower Park at 9:40. We will meet at Bill Clement's house at 10:00. He will lead us on a walk on the road that borders his property and perhaps on his property as well. Afterwards we will drive to Frog Song Garden, Sandy Scott's amazing garden for a tour. You can read more about her and her garden here:
http://www.gualalaarts.org/Events/2010-07GardenGuildLuncheon.html
Afterwards we will eat our lunches. Sandy's garden has been featured in the Garden Conservancy Open Days and she has also created a lovely small area for her grandchildren out of recycled materials that is fun to see. There will be a lot of inviting places in her garden where we can eat our lunches.
Leader: Bill Clement

TIMBER RIDGE ROAD - POSH SQUASH - POTLUCK

photo credit: Bob Rutemoeller

Meet at 9:45 at pullout for Gualala business directory north of bridge to carpool and/or at end of Verdant View near Two Fish at 10:00. Hang tags needed for non Sea Ranchers. From there we will carpool to Diana and Dave's house at the end of Timber Ridge Road. Diana will make soup for our potluck and the rest of us can bring food to go with that. We'll walk north on this road (with perhaps some side trips) stopping to see the Posh Squash before turning around and walking back to the Bower house for lunch. This is a forested road with ups and downs so a hiking stick could be helpful. Rain won't cancel, but could shorten the hike.

Leaders: Diana and Dave Bower