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!

Early Summer on the Chapel/Azelea Trail

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Bob was definitely outnumbered this week.  8 women + Bob.
I LOVED the dandelions that created the yellow trail through the meadow.  Heaven. 
Big thanks for the trail maintenance which added some wonderful stepping stumps for avoiding the muddiest part of the trail.

Magical Mendocino

It was a glorious sunny day just south of Mendocino on the bluffs.  The color and movement of the meadow in the winds and the blue ocean were a delight for the senses.  If you look closely in the middle picture you will see the heads of two harbor seals peaking out. 

To finish off a great day, we had a wonderful lunch at the Mendocino Cafe: http://www.mendocinocafe.com

Tin Barn Road

Ginger, Bob and I made the treacherous detour off the road to the look out to glimpse one of the temples at Odiyan.  Normally we hike this in the winter but since it was rained out last time we decide to try it in the spring.  The day was perfect and the flowers were an unexpected treat!  I'll let Mary Sue identify them for you....