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About Janet Balicki

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So far Janet Balicki has created 265 blog entries.

Hike of the week: Salt Point State Park Prairie Loop

A wide open grassland, Prarie Trail at Salt Point. (Janet Balicki/ The Press Democrat) Dramatic coastal views, crisp ocean air, mushroom dotted forest floors, windy sweep prairies and pygmy forests. Salt Point State Park has a lot to offer in its 6,000 acres, including 20 miles of hiking [...]

By | February 11th, 2016|Comments Off on Hike of the week: Salt Point State Park Prairie Loop

Ride of the week: Joe Rodota Trail

Resting for a photo on the Joe Rodota Trail in Sebastopol. (Janet Balicki/ The Press Democrat) Fifteen years ago, I was a bicycle commuter in Seattle. My old pink Bianchi was decked out with black fenders and I wore rain gear to protect myself from the elements. Come [...]

By | January 27th, 2016|Comments Off on Ride of the week: Joe Rodota Trail

Santa Rosa’s Lake Ilsanjo

Rosanna Morse and her Arabian, Mystic , of Sebastopol , plod along the Lake Trail near Lake Ilsanjo, at Annadel State Park. (Kent Porter/ The Press Democrat, 2011) Dozens of hikers, mountain bikers, horseback riders and a few anglers took to the trails on the day after Christmas, [...]

By | January 21st, 2016|Comments Off on Santa Rosa’s Lake Ilsanjo

Gualala Point Regional Park to Sea Ranch

  Hikers on the Coastal Bluffs Trail (Photo by The Press Democrat) When The Sea Ranch was first developed along the Sonoma Coast in the 1970s, view spots along its 10-mile coastline were reserved for residents of the exclusive community. All that changed in 1981 when the California [...]

By | January 21st, 2016|Comments Off on Gualala Point Regional Park to Sea Ranch

Foothill Regional Park, a year-round favorite

    Foothill Regional Park is a year-round staple for hiking in my family. Of the 211 acres of former ranchland, 6.8 miles of trails are available to hike, run or bike. This time of year, a few golden and russet leaves cling to trees, and moss and lichen dapple [...]

By | December 16th, 2015|Comments Off on Foothill Regional Park, a year-round favorite

Hike off those holiday feasts on Calistoga’s Oat Hill Mine Trail

Intersection of Pallisades and Oat Hill Mine Trail Looking for a good day hike after Christmas to work off  those extra calories? Waddle on over to Napa County for a picturesque intermediate level adventure on the Oat Hill Mine Trail. The 8 to 10 mile trip will take [...]

By | November 19th, 2015|1 Comment

A Harvest Widow’s lament, finding the value of repetition

Rusty Bug at Riverfront Regional Park, Windsor. Trailhead, climbing up that hill. This fall, I have learned the value of consistency. As all harvest widows can relate, it is hard to carve out time for physical fitness, when you are juggling the responsibilities of home and [...]

By | September 21st, 2015|1 Comment

A Flashpacker’s Guide to Isla Bastimentos

Beach hike from Wizard Beach to Red Frog Beach. Sailing around the isles of Bocas del Toro, Panama; hiding from a light drizzle, Green Flash tours owner, Bryan Blaze described my travel companions and I as “flashpackers.” Backpackers, who are a little bit older, with more cash to [...]

By | July 30th, 2015|Comments Off on A Flashpacker’s Guide to Isla Bastimentos

Trails for Taylor Campaign and Challenge Hike #4

Cows grazing at the summit of Taylor Mountain, CLICK ON ME TO SEE THE PANORAMIC.   In honor of the Sonoma County Regional Parks, "Trails for Taylor Campaign", Trailhead decided to hit Taylor Mountain this week. The 1,100-acre park includes 5 miles of trails with some of the [...]

By | July 22nd, 2015|Comments Off on Trails for Taylor Campaign and Challenge Hike #4

Trail Challenge Hike #2: Ragle Ranch Regional Park

  Bee pollinating a flower on Blackberry Trail. Sunday morning, after a quick stop at the Sebastopol Farmer's Market, Sylvester and I headed out to Ragle Ranch Regional Park for a trail run. The Regional Parks Challenge guidebook recommends a perimeter hike on the 1.50 mile, Blackberry trail. [...]

By | July 21st, 2015|Comments Off on Trail Challenge Hike #2: Ragle Ranch Regional Park

Trails Challenge Hike #1- Riverfront Regional Park

Riverfront Regional, mostly easy, flat trails, perfect for a quick trail run before work, or a leisurely dog walk that can be accomplished in under an hour.

By | June 13th, 2015|Comments Off on Trails Challenge Hike #1- Riverfront Regional Park

Sonoma County Parks Trails Challenge- Part Deux

Sylvester is ready for the Trails Challenge are you! Another year, another Trails Challenge! This Saturday, June 6, Sonoma County Regional Parks kicks off it's second annual Trails Challenge on National Trails Day.  Have you been busy with graduation, work, and catching up on all your television show finales? [...]

By | June 4th, 2015|Comments Off on Sonoma County Parks Trails Challenge- Part Deux