San Ramon Valley Newcomers Club
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Archive for March, 2008
March 31, 2008 at 5:38 am · Filed under Hiking Club
Today’s hikers were Jacky H., Judie B., Jane H., Rose T., Lois T., Gretta T., guest Theresa A and her daughter, and Sharon K. It was another beautiful California spring day. The wildflowers weren’t as plentiful as on other hikes recently but the velvety green hills were wonderful to see. I think the cows have kept this area well mowed. We did see a few wildflowers on our way down Little Yosemite Trail and along Stage Road. We crossed several small streams along Stage Road without one of us getting our feet wet. We did see buttercups, miners lettuce, shooting stars, a few blue dicks, and sticky monkey flowers.
We hiked for a total of 2 hours getting a good aerobic workout hiking back up Little Yosemite Trail. Click here for slide show
Afterwards we all had lunch at Bagel Street Cafe. Our next hike is April 4. I hope to see many of you there.
Happy Trails, Sharon Kovar
March 23, 2008 at 6:56 am · Filed under Hiking Club
Today we had a big group of hikers that enjoyed the beautiful green hills on our hike through Shell Ridge to Borgess Ranch. We started at the trailhead at the end of Marshall Road in Walnut Creek. It was another perfect day for hiking. The day started off frosty but quickly turned to around 70 degrees with a gentle breeze there to cool us as we climbed up and down the hills. We saw a few new flowers, including Wally Baskets and Fiddle Necks. There were hillsides of California Poppies and Buttercups. Cows dotted the hills everyone and we were greeted by friendly dogs many times during our 2 1/2 hour hike.
Today’s hikers were new member Greta and new member Jane—welcome to both of you. It was Greta’s second hike. Also hiking were Shirley A., Rose T., Celia M., Judie B., Aleta S., Julie G., Debbie L., Cindy W., Chris T., and Sharon K. After our hike about 7 of us went over to Bagel Street for a bagel. Barbara Jackson, looking good after her hospital stay, met us for lunch. I hope it won’t be long until you are back on the trails with us. We miss you!
There will be a hike next week on March 28th.
Happy Trails, Sharon
March 12, 2008 at 12:30 pm · Filed under General
Here is this month’s rant: GAS!! These gasoline costs are nothing short of disastrous. It is predicted that prices will be $4.00/gal by summer. Ouch! I am STRONGLY recommending that we look for any ways for any events to carpool. Check with the activity chairperson to see who is coming from your area. Even fairly short trips, with a few people in the car will help. Five cars driving to Park and Ride is just too inefficient. Maybe if we use less gas in this country they will have to produce more. I know, wishful thinking that SRVNC can make a difference-but hey, maybe someone else will get a bright idea in another group-etc., etc., etc.
I’m really grooving on the spring weather. Not missing CT weather at all.
Hope to see you all soon.
Hugs, Myrna
March 12, 2008 at 12:18 pm · Filed under Luncheon
Lunch bunch will be going to a 4 fork restaurant, Olde Town Café, on April 4. It is Singapore style Chinese cooking at the new Ulfert’s Center in Dublin just past Hacienda Crossing and just before Stacey’s. It has been reviewed several times and has gotten nothing less that 4 stars yet.
Please call Jan McArdle at 735-3608 for reservations.
March 12, 2008 at 12:11 pm · Filed under Hiking Club
Today, March 7, 2008, we hiked on the north side of Mt. Diablo. We hiked up Back Creek Trail. The trail started out in the open with views of the peaks with fields of mustard in the foreground. We saw a variety of trees and flowers.
FYI - The tree we were trying to identify with the five narrow leaves arranged in groups of five, like fingers on a hand were California buckeye.
After about one mile of hiking along the stream we turned left on Tickwood Trail, traveling on it until we reached Donner Canyon Road. Along the way we spotted many of the flowers we saw last week plus woodland star and scooting star.
The weather was perfect for hiking once again. Once we reached Donner Canyon Rd. we headed steep uphill for a short way and turned left of Hetherington Loop Trail. This took us though an area of manzanita terrain. We had a small water crossing. This loop took us back to Donner, a little lower down the hill, on which we returned to our car. We hiked for a total of 2 hours and about 3 1/2 miles
Today’s hikers were Jacky H., Lois T., Claudia W., Kathy I., Shirley A, Julie G., Sharon K., and guest Greta. It was very nice hiking with you Greta and I hope you will join us again soon. It was good to have Julie G., back with us after a long absence.
Thank you for driving Lois. Afterwards we all had lunch at the Bagel Street Cafe.
Our next scheduled hike is March 21. I may add another hike on the 14th. Watch for my e-mail.
Happy Trails, Sharon
March 12, 2008 at 12:07 pm · Filed under Movie Date
Today 3/11/08, our movie group ( Anita, Sharon M., Bobbie S. and myself ) went to see “The Other Boleyn Girl” It had gotten lukewarm reviews, but we all loved period movies so we chose this. Well, we all agreed that we loved it.
The history part was right on. The costumes were exquisite. Eric Bana, playing King Henry the Eighth was gorgeous, but as to “cinema veritas” his salon haircut was not quite like the other movies we had seen about him. He was gorgeous, not sloppy and hairy like the other Henry’s.
Sharon commented that she learned three things from the movie- Get a pair of white flowy nightgowns for her and Bill, always be in control-and I forgot the third J. Natalie Portman was very good, and Scarlett Johannsen was excellent. We highly recommend this film and hope all of you join us next month for our next pix pick!
Hugs, Myrna
March 5, 2008 at 10:20 am · Filed under Book Club
The Road by Cormac McCarthy
The Road is the profoundly moving story of a journey. It boldly imagines a future in which no hope remains, but in which the father and his son, “each the other’s world entire,” are sustained by love. Awesome in the totality of its vision, it is an unflinching meditation on the worst and the best that we are capable of: ultimate destructiveness, desperate tenacity, and the tenderness that keeps two people alive in the face of total devastation.
March 5, 2008 at 10:16 am · Filed under Hiking Club
Hi Newcomer Friday Hikers and Guests,
Today, Feb 29, 08, we hiked at Sunol, up Indian Joe and down Hayfield for a total of 2 hours and a little over 3 miles. We stopped many times to observe the lush green hills, flowing stream, and silvery trees shining in the sun against the bright blue sky. The weather was perfect for hiking. I think we all worked up a sweat hiking up Indian Joe. At the top of Indian Joe we stopped at the pond to see the California Newts breeding along the edge of the pond.
We saw many wild flowers along the way including Blight blue speedwell, saxifrage, buttercups, blue witch, milkmaids and several type of geraniums.
Today’s hikers were Debbie L., Kathy I., Jacky H., Lois T., Cindy W., Shirley A., guest Linda V., and Sharon K. It was really nice to have Debbie L. back hiking with us after a long absence!
Thank you Linda for driving and as always adding for expertise with identifying the wildflowers.
Our next hike will be next week, March 7th.
Happy Trails, Sharon
March 5, 2008 at 10:11 am · Filed under Book Club
Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson & David Oliver Relin
Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace . . . One School at a Time (Paperback)
