The Hiking Club held its annual white elephant gift exchange and soup supper fun event on Thursday, January 14 starting at 5:30 pm at Foothill Center. Guests were asked to bring a soup, an appetizer, salad or dessert. Cider and coffee were provided. The White Elephant gift exchange took place after supper and produced many interesting gifts and treasures.
The hiking club once again celebrated New Year’s Day at the top of our tallest hill, at 2,300 ft elevation. Dan Kato led thirty-eight long hikers to the top, starting from Foothill Center, leaving at 10:00 AM. and the celebration officially started at 11:30 AM. at the top of the hill. Everyone brought snacks to share with friends and fellow hikers. Wendy Ledamun led the Ramblers on the lower hill trails, covering some of the new trails put in place this year. They finished at the picnic area at Indian and Skyway.
The weather cooperated and rain ceased, so Johanna & Wate Bakker led a bird walk in Shoreline Park. The small group received large rewards in numbers of birds sighted: Egrets, Heron, Shovelers, Buffleheads, Double Crested Cormorants, Grebes, Green Winged Teal, Avocets, Stilts, Pintail, Pelicans and Sandpipers. Lunch at the waterside cafe rounded out a great day of birding.
Wate and Johanna Bakker led hikes in the Anderson County Park with some interesting and beautiful views for both groups. The hike was 2-3 miles long with elevation gains of 300 feet.
Nancy Rumple led a hike on the Coyote Creek trail on Saturday, December 12th. It was a nine mile hike and was sunny and pleasant with some wind.
The Hiking Club’s annual holiday party was held on Thursday, December 10 beginning at 5:30 pm at Foothill Center. Classic R&B and Jazz Vocalist, David Johnson provided background music and entertained us for the evening. The buffet featured hand-carved, roasted turkey breast and herbed salmon plus a vegetarian option.
Gary Holmquist led a hike in the Baylands from the Don Edwards Environmental Center in Alviso. The hike turned out to be a little muddy so the distance was approximately two miles on the levees into the marshlands. There were many types of migratory waterfowl and also included human footprints .
On Saturday, November 21st Wate Bakker led a long hike around the top of Mount Diablo . It was a strenuous hike of 6-8 miles with lots of ups and downs amounting to total elevation difference of 1200-1500 ft. The trail was rocky in some places at times. The views were fabulous and beautiful with plenty of sunshine and pleasant weather.
40 members and guests of the Villages Hiking Club recently spent three glorious days in the wine country exploring beautiful Jack London and Sugarloaf Ridge State Parks and environs. Upon arrival they took a short but lovely hike in Jack London State Park The next day was spent hiking Sugarloaf Ridge State Park taking in the beautiful scenery all around us. That evening all celebrated their good fortune with a delicious meal at the Wolf House Restaurant.
