Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/894571
22 LIVE IT UP! FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2017 SANTA CRUZ SENTINEL REAL ESTATE IN OLDERHOOD STUCK on how to move your stuff? House TOO BIG and needs REPAIRS? Kids giving too many OPINIONS? Ready to SIMPLIFY and ENJOY life?! I can help you move forward one step at a time. Changing the Conversation NavigatingOlderhood.com facebook.com/mapsforaging (831) 588-8485 CalBRE# 01257150 on Facebook at: Terry Ballantyne REALTOR® Sereno Group Real Estate www.terryballantyne.com Ridge Trail. Go up the Aptos Creek Fire Road to the start. Note that the hike includes an 850-foot elevation gain. e Advocates suggest various trails based on the climate and time of year. "Depending on the rainfall, some of the best hikes from now through Febru- ary would be Five Finger Falls, Bridge Creek, or the West Ridge trail to see the waterfalls," says Livingston. "From February-April, hikes with wildflow- ers are wonderful—such as Oak Ridge Trail, the West Ridge trail, and the Buggy Trail." Also, Livingston adds, a wonderful event that happens in the spring, usually around March, is the blossoming of the Fat Solomon Seal flower, which "smells like Hawaii." For summer months, omson rec- ommends the park's upper trail—past the Porter Picnic Area—as a good place to explore. Advocate Melanie Domin- guez says that for bicycling, the Aptos Creek Fire Road is great all year round unless there is significant rain. "e lower Split Stuff trails are fun on a cross bike or mountain bike," says Domin- guez, "but remember, no trails should ever be ridden in rain, for it ruins the trail and increases erosion." In 2017, the Advocates are celebrat- ing their 25th anniversary working for the maintenance and improvement of the Park. Once a month, volunteers maintain and repair the Park's trails, bridges and even the 'out-buildings.' ey do this by heading onto the trails to do things like brush back trails, remove obstructions, clear or maintain drainage, and grade the trail surfaces as necessary. Every spring and fall, they also install and remove the seasonal bridges over Aptos Creek. e Ap- tos Chamber of Commerce recently named them "organization of the year." e Advocates also work collabora- tively with Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks and serve on its Nisene Commit- tee to pursue larger projects. "By the end of this year, all three bridges will have been replaced on the Bridge Creek trail along with the bridge at the bot- tom of the West Ridge trail," says Fuchs. For those inspired to get involved with e Advocates, Fuchs recommends visiting the web site advocatesfnm. org to learn about ways to contribute, volunteer or donate. "I joined and serve on the Board of Directors currently as an ambassador, and previously as President and Vice-President, because I love the Park and this community," says Fuchs. "It's a wonderful way to be involved, make a difference and be able to give back." Basic Information: e Forest of Nisene Marks State Park web site: www. parks.ca.gov/?page_id=666 Location: Aptos Creek Road, off Soquel and State Park Drive, Aptos Main park phone #: 831-763-7062 Park hours: Sunrise to Sunset Fees: $8 vehicle day-use fee. (Seniors 62 or older, $7) Advocates for e Forest of Nisene Marks web site: www.advocatesfnm.org CONTINUED FROM 21 Photo courtesy of Nisene Advocates. Advocates Board Members Bob Bailey and Allison Livingston