MANCHESTER STATE BEACH AND THOMPSON HEATHER GARDENS

 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 which hasn't been marked lately, then turn directly left and park on the road that parallels Highway One. We will walk to the end of Alder Creek Beach Road and from there to theocean and then go South on the beach and return via the trail that goes by the environmental campgrounds. 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

Unfortunately I did not make this hike.  I was busy with the Green Bag Lady and Art in the Redwoods prep.   Sounds like it was lovely as always.

BOBCAT TRAIL/BLACK POINT BEACH

Meet at 9:30 at the Gualala business directory and at again at 9 :45 at the Sea Ranch Lodge to carpool. There isn't a lot of space to park at our starting point. Start at 10:00 at the trail head on Indian Close off Timber Ridge Road. Hang tags needed to park here. This is a beautiful hike down a forested, shady hillside. There are some steep stretches, so bring your walking stick. The trail leads down and north, crosses Crows Nest Drive, and eventually turns down and south on the hillside along Hwy 1, ending on Moonraker Road. Cross the highway and walk to The Moonraker Recreation Center. Take trail behind tennis courts.  Trail exits on Ramsgate which take to Galleon's Reach. Turn west to Seagate and turn right on it , turning left on Sea Meadow Drive to catch the Sea Meadow Trail back to the bluff at Post 7. Turn South and follow the Bluff Trail to Black Point Beach for lunch and back to the Lodge afterwards.
Leader: Theresa Yuen

Thank you Jane!

Jane with her "leader lunch bag" made and given by Mary Sue.

It was a beautiful day with a hike that went from the trees to the bluff.  Jane not only lead her first hike, she also brought us a lovely poppy seed cake to enjoy with our lunch in the Del Mar gardens.  We had a bit of a mix up with some super speedy hikers out front, but they made it back and all is well!

A Berry Good Time

Today's hike was on Mendocino Redwoods property (with permission).

I have never seen so many ripe, delicious thimbleberries in all my life!  In fact I ate too many.... but loved every bite.  It's definitely a banner year for these sweet, delicate treats.

 

Also in abundance on the hike were native black raspberries.  I prefer the thimbleberries but still a treat to eat fruit right from the source.  Also (not pictured) were wild strawberries.  Thank you mother earth!

 It's hard to see in the picture but a small blue butterfly landed on my hand.  Awwwww.  :)

Bill our leader of the day resting during our lunch break.  Great day!

Challenge Complete!

It started off foggy and cleared into a bright sunshiny day!  It took just less than 2 years but the Thursday Ramblers have officially walked on EVERY SINGLE trail on The Sea Ranch.  The final marker was 257 (at the bottom of the White Fir trail) and the final hike was lead by the trail blazin' John Petersen.  We ended the monumental hike with a lovely pot luck and John and Jackie's.  In addition to The Sea Ranch trails completion, we also celebrated 10 years of Thursday Ramblers Hikes!  The person who deserves the credit for keeping us organized and hiking is Mary Sue.  She has managed the hiking schedule for most of those 10 years but special gratitude goes to Dard for founding the group.

Hot Spot. . .

Mary Sue's tip:  flip a leaf to server as an arrow for finding you way.

Reported Mary Sue and Bob:  We had 8 hikers and 2 dogs.  The forest was beautiful today and the temperature was perfect for hiking. We were out of the wind and enjoyed the Earthquake Trail and having lunch at the Hot Spot.

While the gang was hiking, I was finishing of the final week of Gualala Arts Summer Art Program for Youth.  Look closely and you can see some Harmony Art sighting....

Fabric tubes cut and reused as Taiko drumsticks in the Music class taught by Stacy Roumas.  Drums are made out of recycled tires and packing tape.

Organic white jersey and lime green interlock used to make pillows to be decorated in the "Creating with Paint" class taught by local artist Jane Head.

Gualala Point Park River Loop

While the group was enjoying the Gualala Point Park loop I was dealing with a different kind of Banana Slug.... this week and next I am helping out with Gualala Arts Summer Art Camp for Youth.  We have 82 children broken into 7 groups... tadpoles, mountain lions, banana slugs, etc.  We're having a blast and making some great stuff!