March 29, 2012 - Coloma Loops

This week, we finally had decent weather so the geezers gathered for what was to be a two part hike. Eleven guys showed up for the adventure, Beuford, Clark, Glenn, John, Larry, Merrill, Rich, Roland, Sherm, Vello, and Wayne. After surviving last weeks bike ride, Clark decided to join us for his first hike. Roland was back hiking after a lengthy recovery from foot surgery and John joined us after arriving well tanned from a great trip to Maui. The morning hike was a 4 mile loop that started at the Coloma State Park, which commemorates the discovery of gold by John Marshall in 1848. As you know, this started the '49er gold rush. The trek climbed about 500 feet to a ridge overlooking the American River canyon. Following the ridge for over a mile, the trail then descended to a memorial statue of John Marshall, and numerous restored buildings of the gold rush days.
Lunch was enjoyed near the American River, and a plan for the afternoon was hatched. We drove down the road about 5 miles to a trailhead adjacent to the American River, at one end of Cronan Ranch Regional Park. The trail followed the river downstream for over a mile, then climbed about 100 feet to another trail that returned us to near the starting point. The return trail was new to all of us and was beautiful as we hiked through many oak trees with the sound of the cascading river below. In all, another 3 miles was covered. This left us with just enough time to head back for our reward (ice cream at Micky D's). Another successful geezer event enjoyed by all who attended.


Larry, Clark, Sherm, Vello, Beuford, Wayne, Merrill, Glenn, John, Roland.
Photographer - Rich

March 22, 2012 - Bike Ride to Beals Point

This week's Geezer adventure was a 20 mile tune up bike ride from the Hazel Avenue Fish Hatchery to Beales Point and return. We took the usual route along the south side of Lake Natoma, returning on the north side. Lunch was at McDonalds on Auburn- Folsom Road near Greenback Lane. Our next tune up ride will be a 28 mile round trip to Sacramento Old Town from Arden Park. The proposed date (to be confirmed in writing) is April 12th. As you can guess, many of the Geezers want to tune up ready for our bike ride in San Fransisco which is scheduled for May 3rd. I'm sure our chief organizers for the month will be getting information out about these rides but meanwhile, mark your calendars.

March 8, 2012 - Snowshoeing at Echo Lake

On a beautiful, sunny, windless day at Echo Summit, we trekked to Echo Lake and our favorite overlook at an elevation of 7600ft. Today, we had nine Geezers, Glenn, Rod, John, Wayne, Loren, Bob, Merrill, Sherm and our newest Geezer, Clark. The outing was on the western heights above the Lake Tahoe basin. For Wayne and Clark it was their first time on snow shoes and they both took to it very well. It was also Clark's inaugural outing with the geezers. Hopefully he will return for another adventure. The day was spectacular as were the views as evidenced by our photos. Only one major incident happened. But the "Geezer Golden Rule" (what happens on the trail stays on the trail) was invoked by the unfortunate soul. However, photos do exist and blackmail is a distinct possibility. Although there was not nearly as much snow as in years past, there was enough to give us a great snow shoe experience and a better day couldn't have been planned.

March 1, 2012 - Granite Bay Hike

Today, only 5 geezers chose to hike on a day of morning rain, but clearing afternoon skies. We didn't start hiking until we had lunched at the Habit Burger so we hit the trail at about 12:30 pm. Although it was cool and windy, no raindrops were seen, and the sun finally poked out at the end of the day. Note the shadow in the picture of extremely low Folsom Lake. While some unnamed geezers chose to eat at a buffet, the big 5 consisting of Loren, Glenn, Merrill, Sherm and Rich hiked 7 miles. We started at Granite Bay and hiked toward Horseshoe Bar along the shores of what was Folsom Lake and returned along a trail overlooking the lake through the rocks and trees. We enjoyed a variety of scenery including the hamburger rock, the moldy loaf of bread rock, and lots of budding poison oak. It proved to be a very interesting hike. Note the primitive lakeside dwelling and the adjacent Stonehenge figure.
We did miss our gluttonous comrades, but we forgave them after we learned that they took along an 88 year gentleman who rarely gets out of his house these days. He appreciated it so much that he bought lunch for all 7 Geezers!! Regardless, next week we may need to do the infamous Lake Berryessa overlook hike to work off the excess calories.



















Today only 5 geezers chose to hike on a day of morning rain, but clearing afternoon skies. We didn't start hiking until we had lunched at the Habit Burger so we hit the trail at about 12:30 pm. Although it was cool and windy, no raindrops were seen, and the sun finally poked out at the end of the day. Note the shadow in the picture of extremely low Folsom Lake. While some unnamed geezers chose to eat at a buffet, the big 5 consisting of Loren, Glenn, Merrill, Sherm and Rich hiked 7 miles. We started at Granite Bay and hiked toward Horseshoe Bar along the shores of what was Folsom Lake and returned along a trail overlooking the lake through the rocks and trees. We enjoyed a variety of scenery including the hamburger rock, the moldy loaf of bread rock, and lots of budding poison oak. It proved to be a very interesting hike. Note the primitive lakeside dwelling and the adjacent Stonehenge figure.
We did miss our gluttonous comrades but we forgave them after we learned that they took along an 88 year gentleman who rarely gets out of his house these days. He appreciated it very much, so much so that he paid for all 7 Geezers lunch!! Regardless, next week we may need to do the infamous Lake Berryessa overlook hike to work off the excess calories.