Jim Beyer

Bay Bridge Hike

Rich Bainbridge led a hike on Saturday, June 11th onto the Bay Bridge, with great views of SF Bay. The hike was 3.2 miles from the trailhead to the end point on the bridge, with an elevation gain of a couple hundred feet. After the hike the group headed to Jack London Square for lunch and browsing at the “Jack of All Trades Market” that features food and craft beers for sale and a curated mix of nearly 100 local makers, indie designers, antiquers, collectors, artists, start-ups and more.

Rancho Canada Del Oro Open Space Hike

Saturday, May 28th. Nancy Rumple led a 9 mile hike with 1200ft. elevation gain for long hikers in Rancho Canada Del Oro Open Space. The hike was on Mayfair Trail, Longwall Trail, and Bald Peaks Trail and looped back through Calero County Park with a variety of wildflowers along the trails. For the Ramblers, Gary and Terry Holmquist led a hike of about 4.5 miles in length with an elevation gain of approximately 800 feet. The views were spectacular.

Russian River Outing

Some of the club traveled to Russian River May 24th thru May 26th which is a beautiful resort town with a number of wineries nearby and lots of water activities plus one of the most spectacular Red Wood Forests in Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Preserve. Fern Grove Cottages was the location of the motel. There were trails for all to enjoy from easy to strenuous.

Villages Pathway Hike

Katy Peretti and Suzanne Pham led a rambler hike around the Villages pathways on Wednesday, May 18th. The first part was walking up Fairway Drive and entering Olivas then through Hermosa, Montgomery and Del Lago for a total of about 5 miles.

Almaden Quicksilver Park Hike

Wate and Johanna Bakker led rambler and long hikes in the Almaden Quicksilver Park, starting at the Mockingbird Hill entrance on Saturday, May 14th. Johanna led a 7.1 mile hike with an elevation difference of 800ft. Wate led a 8 mile hike with an elevation difference of 800 ft. Both trails provided an easy pleasant experience. There were still many flowers blooming.

Variety Show and Potluck Event

The Hiking Club on Thursday, May 12th held our First Annual Variety Show and Potluck at Foothill Center. It was a resounding success with all going away buzzing about the talent in the Villages. The evening started with the Ukulele club conducting a sing along followed by Karen Carlson playing “Send in the Clowns” on the piano. Dan Kato followed with a blues guitar solo. Sy Gelman dazzled the audience with his magic act or was it a comedy act? Next came Barbara Knight and Marion Logie with a comedy reading based on Abbott and Costello’s “who’s on first”. Betty Stednitz performed music from the “Phantom of the Opera” on the piano. Dan Kato and Vera Hutton then performed guitar, ukulele, and flute duets. Wendy Ledamun and Rich Bainbridge conducted a mind reading act using cards. The entertainment concluded with Dan Kato performing Marty Robbins song and lyrics of “El Paso”.

Los Gatos Hike

Cookie Hunley and Johanna Bakker led a rambler Hike hike in the historical part of Los Gatos. The group learned some things from the past and admired the beautiful gardens in the old neighborhoods

Evergreen Library Hike

Jackie Jones led a rambler hike to the new Evergreen Library on Saturday, April 30th. The hike was a 4-mile round trip with a stop for coffee at the Evergreen Coffee Shop.

Uvas Canyon Park Hike

Susan Brown led a group of long hikers on a 6 mile hike at Uvas Canyon Park on Saturday,April 30th. The hike started at Waterfall loop Trail and we found our way to Swanson Creek and then went up to Alec Canyon Creek to the Triple Falls where we had lunch and back. We were able to see some water in the waterfalls. The weather was sunny but cool and the wind didn’t bother us.

Japanese Friendship Garden Tour

Kathy Tanaka led a tour of the Japanese Friendship Garden at Kelley Park where she is a docent. There were beautiful grounds, plants, ponds and koi fish. After the tour the group had special permission to use the tea house for tea and cookies.