On January 1st 2015, the Villages Hiking Club had their annual New Year’s Day Celebration. There were 40 who made it to the mailbox at top of our hill, about a 2 mile uphill climb, and another group of 12, led by Bonnie Preston and Barbara Knight, that met at the halfway point on Skyway and Indian trails at our new table. Champagne was served at both locations and members brought their favorite appetizers and drinks.
A small Hiking Club work party, Jim Beyer, Susan Brown, Quincy Chang, Dan Kato, Amy Meier, Debbie Siedband and John Walker repaired the switchback trail from the mail box down to Rawhide to correct the damage the wild pigs made in preparation for the Annual New Year’s Day celebration at the top of the hill. Carrie Woods from the Riding Club generously donated her time and drove her ATV with the Hiking Club tools to and from the work area so that the work party would not have to carry the tools up and down the hill.
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Laura and Sy Gelman led a group that explored various hidden trails that meander through the villages (about 3-4 miles). Afterwards there was a pot luck luncheon at Vineyard Center.
Nancy Rumple led the Long hikers on the paved Los Alamitos Creek Trail from Lake Almaden south to Mc Keen Rd. and back for about eight miles. Gary and Terry Holmquist led the ramblers on a separate hike in the same area. It turned out to be a comfortable easy day with no elevation gain.
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The holiday party on December 11 at the Foothill Center was well attended with over eighty guests and members. The chicken casserole as the main dish was a big hit and was enhanced by many delicious side dishes consisting of vegetables, salads, potatoes, and rolls. Entertainment was provided by the Villages Ukulele group under the direction of Jim Nielsen. Fun and fellowship enhanced the event with many lively conversations.
Barbara Knight led the ramblers to the new Bair Island pedestrian bridge into the almost completed 3,000-acre wetland site. The renovation began in 2007 and now is a part of the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Red Wood City. There was a 2-mile trail around the southern inner island. The sun came out when we found a bench at Pete’s Harbor for lunch. We had a great time playing with the little wooden boat we found at the play ground.
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| Rest Stop |
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| Local Work Day |
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Gary and Terry Holmquist led a rambler Hike to Silver Creek Country Club for lunch. The hike was roughly 3 miles one-way. The overcast sky provided a cool hiking experience.
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| Amy Meier,Sandra Walker,John Walker, Debbie Siedband,Peter Nicholls,Dan Kato, Frances Wilson,Wate Bakker,Faye Swanson,Gigi Clarke,Jackie Jones Photographer:Jim Beyer |
Wate Bakker led the long hikers and Johanna Bakker led the ramblers hike to the Saratoga Gap and into Long Ridge Open Space on Saturday, November 8th. The long hikers traveled approximately 9 miles with some going a couple miles longer. There was moderate elevation gains. Ramblers started at a different location. We saw views of the coastal range and Pacific ocean as it was another beautiful day on the trails.
