LEEWARD ROAD - BLUFF TRAIL (variation)

What a glorious day!
Carpool at pullout for Gualala business directory just north of bridge at 10:20 and at the Del Mar Center at 10:30. Hang tags needed for non Sea Ranchers. Walk south on Leeward Road until it intersects Sea Pine Reach , accessing the meadow trail at Post 43B. Turn right on Pacific Reach and walk until you intersect the Public Access trail to Shell Beach. Turn right on the Bluff Top Trail and follow it to Walk On Beach for lunch. Follow bluff (as much as possible) back until you get to post 49 where you take the "Portal Babbling Brook" connector to Tide Pool, Sea Drift and Leeward to the Del Mar Center.
Leader: Tina Vasavada (subbing for Teresa Yuen)

KRUSE RANCH ROAD TO PLANTATION

Photo credit: Anita Green

Photo credit: Anita Green

Photo credit: Massomeh Roberts

Photo credit: Massomeh Roberts

Photo credit: Massomeh Roberts

Photo credit: Massomeh Roberts

Photo credit: Anita Green

Carpool at 10:30 at pullout for the Gualala business directory north of bridge, or at the Sea Ranch Lodge at 10:45. Shortly after entering Salt Point State Park, drivers from the north should prepare to turn left on Kruse Ranch Road and drive to the official parking area for Kruse Reserve. There are no fees or passes required. Hike will begin from the Kruse parking area at 11:00. We will hike up the gravel road all the way to Plantation and have our lunch there. The leaders may be able to arrange a tour. The ascent is gradual, but the gravel large and often sharp, so sturdy shoes are recommended. In the late nineteenth century, Plantation was an important destination for travelers from San Francisco on their way to Gualala. It had the only hotel available.  The views are spectacular. We will walk along several gushing creeks, and have views into deep forested canyons.
Leaders:  Dave and Diana Bower

CRISPIN LANE

Photo credit: Jane Seck

Photo credit:  Jane Seck

Meet at 9:20 at pullout for Gualala business directory and at 9:30 at Anchor Bay (West side of Hwy 1) to carpool. We will drive to Crispin Lane in Manchester, parking at the Grange and walk to the end of this county road. Hike starts around 10:00 a.m. We will pass green fields and have lovely views of the ocean on our way back. This road starts out relatively flat and then goes slowly up so we'll coast on the return trip. When we reach the lane to Francesca Tyrnauer's, we will turn left. The walk to her house is an interesting one and this year she has suggested that we walk on the road past her house to the "Glen" and then back to her house where we will have lunch on the covered deck and then return to our cars.
Leader: Gary Sprague

AIRPORT ROUNDABOUT: FLY CLOUD, DEEP WOODS, SEA RIDGE

Rain, glorious rain. yes. wet.

coming in out of the rain and cold

Jane and Jim's lovely home!

Meet at 9:45 at pullout for Gualala business directory north of bridge and at 10:00 at Jane Seek's house.  Jane will be providing a vegetarian soup and others are invited to bring food to share with this (eg. bread, salad, dessert). Start at the end of Spar Close; right on Pilot's Reach; right on Sea Ridge Road. Continue on Sea Ridge across Annapolis, where it becomes Timber Ridge. Walk Timber Ridge, Fly Cloud, Westgate Drive to Timber Ridge. Continue along the trail until Verdant View, cross Annapolis and turn right on the trail a short distance to Timber Ridge, where you turn left. Walk along Timber Ridge turning right on River Beach Road, to Deep Woods Drive, right on East Ridge Road to post 311, left on trail to post 313 left on Timber Ridge, right on Spring Meadow, left on Sea Ridge. Turn right on Pilot's Reach, then left on Spar Close and lunch.
Leader: Jane Seck

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARY SUE!

it started out foggy at Salt Point

but the sun prevailed. . .

and we found our lost 1/2 at Timber Cove where we all made wishes

Benny Bufano's 93 foot peace sculpture takes 5 people to hug

Ginger read a poem about Mary Sue
 

Ode to Mary Sue 

by Ginger Veys

Today is the day to be of good cheer,

Because Mary Sue Ittner’s birthday is here.

She stands straight and tall, surveying it all,

Looking forward  to planting bulbs in the fall.

With Bob on her right and faithful Foxy on lead,

There is nothing and no one she can’t supersede.

The Oscar she could win for “The Radio” play will have to wait for another day,

For life is calm  & sunny up on the ridge and that makes any kind of fame not worth a smidge.

With recycling and trash to be done,

We know Mary Sue will help make it fun.

The Ramblers will follow wherever she may go,

For good times and lovely hikes are always sure to flow.

So raise your glass for a toast

To Mary Sue, our leader we love the most!

the food was delicious at the Timber Cove Inn

It is MARY SUE's Birthday today so we are expecting a fabulous hike! Carpool at the pullout for Gualala business directory at 9:15 and at The Sea Ranch Lodge parking lot at 9:30. Start at 9:45 at Salt Point State Park. Turn west at Main Entrance and follow road down to ocean where large parking lot and (locked) restrooms are.  There may be a $6 charge per car so bring coupons if you have them. Hike the coastal trail along the bluffs starting at left side of parking lot. Continue north for about 30 min and then return.  We will return to our cars and then continue south to Timber Cove Inn where we will hike their trails, including a visit to the 2nd smallest state park in California.  The hike will conclude with a lunch celebration at the Timber Cove Inn

CHAPEL TO WHITE BARN

Linda's house under construction

Another view of Linda's house

Carpool at pullout for Gualala business directory just north of bridge at 9:50. Start at the Sea Ranch chapel at 10:00. Hang tags needed for non Sea Ranchers. Go south on to the firebreak and cross Highway one at hole in fence. Take Frontage Trail almost to the White Barn. Walk on the feeder trail to the Blufftop Trail. Walk north until you reach the Shell Beach public access trail, take it to Pacific Reach and from there back to Frontage and return. Lunch optional.
Leader: Linda Kennedy, 785-3682

GUALALA ARTS TO GREEN IRON BRIDGE ROAD HIKE

sadly this sign was not obeyed....

Meet at 10:30 in back part of Gualala Arts parking lot. Hike along the road down to the bridge and the end of the county road and back. There are some mild elevation changes on this hike. Along the way we visit the campground this time of the year. There are nice views of the Gualala River. We can eat our lunches at the Art Center at the end and view any shows in progress. You may have the opportunity to add to Harmony and Mary Sue's gratitude list as they try to reach 2012 things to be grateful for before the end of the year.
Leaders: Bob Rutemoeller & Mary Sue Ittner,