The Villages Hiking Club held its annual Summer Picnic on Thursday, July 9, beginning at 5:30 pm at the Gazebo. Bocce courts were available for our exclusive use. Grilled burgers (turkey, salmon and beef) with all the trimmings were provided by the club. Wendy Ledamun and her team of helpers did a fabulous job of making the event fun and memorable for the eighty-five members and guests that attended. There were even a few uninvited guests that had feathers!
Sy Gelman led a rambler hike on a 3 to 4 mile tour of Golden Gate Park in San Francisco on Wednesday, July 8th. The group viewed the Dutch Windmills, Chain of Lakes, ambled by the herd of buffalo, and visited Spreckles Lake where model boat enthusiasts sail and race their creations. Afterwards there was lunch at the recently refurbished beach restaurant.
Several members participated in the annual Villages 4th of July parade. It was a warm pleasant day and all enjoyed themselves. Nancy Rumple brought signs for some to wear depicting scenes from several of our national parks.
Katy Peretti and Faye Swanson led a rambler hike to New Leaf/ Seasons Market for a coffee and a goodie.
On Saturday, June 27th Nancy Rumple led the long hikers on a 12 mile moderately hilly hike from the park headquarters to the Pacific Ocean. The hike was through Redwood trees with a view of a waterfall, and the Pacific ocean. Wendy Ledamun led the ramblers on the sequoia trail on a 4.5 mile trek with elevation gains of 420 ft. The route, was almost entirely under old-growth redwoods, included a stop at Sempervirens Fall, a scramble up Slippery Rock and a visit to the Maddock Cabin site
On Wednesday, June 24th Johanna Bakker led a 2.6 mile rambler hike on our shady new Villages trails.
The Villages Hiking Club had a ceremonial opening of the new trails in the hill lands. All gathered at the end of Village View Drive at 8.45 AM to attend the official opening of the new trails in the lower hill lands at 9 AM. Following a brief ceremony,walkers and beginning hikers explored the new trails led by Johanna Bakker. Dan Kato, and Wate Bakker. After the hikes all gathered at Picnic area 1 for appetizers and drinks around 11.00 AM. All brought appetizers to share and the hiking club provided water, beer and wine to celebrate this milestone in our long history. About 45 people attended with about 12 new comers.
Wate and Johanna Bakker led a rambler hike on the Villa Montalvo estate in Saratoga. After a 3-4 mile hike through the redwoods to a lookout point we toured the beautiful grounds of the Villa. Afterwards all went be a sushi lunch in downtown Saratoga.
Nancy Rumple led a hike to Alum Rock Park and hiked mostly under the trees on the South Rim Trail. The hike location was changed from Calero Park due to the extreme heat. This morning’s hike was cool and comfortable and the trees turned out to be the perfect place.
33 members and guests of the Villages Hiking Club recently spent three glorious days in the gold country exploring beautiful Jenkinson and environs. Jenkinson Lake is a reservoir constructed as part of the American River Division of the Central Valley Project to provide irrigation water to a portion of El Dorado County, California. The dam was begun on May 1953 and was completed in mid 1955. Surrounding the lake is Sly Park with facilities for all year outdoor activities. Upon arrival they took a short but lovely hike beside a running stream to become acclimated with the altitude. That evening all were invited to partake of a delicious dinner at the rented cabin of gracious hosts and members Mike and Trish Warfield. The next day a small group went off to explore the high country while the rest spent the day hiking around Jenkinson Lake enjoying the great scenery and hiking to a real jewel, a wonderful waterfall. During the day one group encountered a reenactment of the wagon train journey some 160 years ago. That evening all celebrated their good fortune with a delicious meal at 50 Grand Steak House, a well known local restaurant.
