Spring Lake

Santa Rosa
Sunday, March 17, 2002

Contact: Scott Aster, 415-456-8118

Faith & begorrah! 'Tis surely the luck that our annual Spring Lake orienteering event should fall on St. Patrick's Day this year! As your (part) Irish event director, I am planning on marking the day with some traditional "Irish style" orienteering. Come try your luck as I prepare courses to challenge beginners and advanced participants alike around our picturesque yet surprisingly challenging map.

Registration: 9:30 AM until 12:00 PM
Starts: 10:00 AM until 12:30 PM
Courses close: 2:00 PM

I will set traditional White and Yellow courses for first timers and advanced beginners (and the non-Irish), with beginner clinics running throughout the morning, while for everyone else I will have three special orienteering challenges direct from the Emerald Isle itself! Those of you who have tried Shamrock O, Leprachaun O, and Blarney O before know what to expect, while the rest of you are in for some (hopefully) delightful surprises. These three special events will present unusual orienteering challenges, including unusual mapping, hidden treasures, mental challenges, and lots of fun. "Irish rules orienteering" will be in effect for these three events, and the first person who can correctly tell me what these are will receive a free pint of Guinness!

Orienteers of all skill levels are welcome to try the Irish-O events, and you may attempt one, two, or all three challenges. The emphasis will be on having a good time, so come to Spring Lake with some moxie and remember that the wee people love to play tricks on the unsuspecting, so be prepared!

Directions

Take U.S. Highway 101 north to Santa Rosa. Once in Santa Rosa, exit onto highway 12 going east. Follow highway 12 for 1.5 miles to its left turn at Farmer's Lane. Do not take this turn, but instead, continue straight onto Hoen Avenue. At the Hoen-Summerfield traffic light 1.5 miles later, continue straight, then take an immediate left onto Newanga Avenue. Newanga leads into Spring Lake County Park. At the ranger's kiosk, make a right and go up the hill to the Oak Knoll Picnic Area.