With a catered barbecue and the sounds of bluegrass music, on October 16th TPL hosted its partners, the San Dieguito River Park JPA, the San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy, the California Coastal Conservancy and the Wildlife Conservation Board, along with key legislators and members of the public in a celebration of the San Dieguito River Park's recent purchase of the 75-acre Boudreau floodplain property. On hand to join in the celebration were Assemblymember Christine Kehoe and Del Mar Councilmember Crystal Crawford and Solana Beach Councilmember Tom Golich. About 200 people gathered to enjoy the event, which was followed by a hike in the vicinity of the future "Coast to Crest" Trail.

Join Ranger David Hekel on a November 7 Bike Ride to find out more about geocaching! Geocaching is an adventure game for people who use hand held global positioning satellite devices (GPS) to locate hidden caches around the world. Some of those caches are located along the River Park's trails.

The Fall Quarter's Activity Schedule is now available. See the fun, free "Get Out, Get Active" activities the River Park is offering in October, November and December. Here are some of the fun things on offer:

• On Saturday October 30th, the Pinery Pumpkin Patch (on Highland Valley Road) is offering 50% off on pumpkins and rides if you bring in this notice.
• On Saturday November 6th, join River Valley Guide Mike Thacker at 9:00 a.m. on the trail to learn "More Dam History", the Lake Hodges dam, that is.
• On Saturday November 13th, join Guide Heather Rosing at 9:00 a.m. on the Piedras Pintadas Trail as she teaches us how the Kumeyaay used native plants.
• Also on Saturday November 13th is a WORKPARTY at Sikes Adobe Historic Farmhouse. We're looking for volunteers to come out from 9 a.m. to noon to help clean up - we'll be washing windows, sweeping and mopping.
• Trail Maintenance on the Mule Hill/San Pasqual Valley Trail, Raptor Ridge section, Sunday November 14th at 8:00 a.m.
• East Raptor Habitat Restoration Project, Saturday November 20th at 8:00 a.m., assist Rangers with soil preparation, watering and planting.
• Power Hike "Get Out 'N Get Movin" to Raptor Ridge - after Thanksgiving, join Jenny Slater Saturday November 27 at 9:00 a.m.
• Bring your GPS and/or compass for a hands-on orienteering hike with Ranger Todd Stepien on Saturday December 4 at 10 a.m.

October 3, 2004 was a special evening, when four very talented vocalists performed songs that the Sikes family would have known and loved in the 1870s and 1880s. The purpose of the concert was to raise funds for the ongoing restoration of the Sikes Adobe Historic Farmstead. Proceeds will be used to purchase items of furnishings.

Join Park staffer Barbara Baker as she travels the "Coast to Crest Trail" and other San Dieguito River Park Trails, revealing pieces of the valley's history along the way and sharing with us the tales she hears.

Dieguito Discovery: Wonders in the Shadow of Volcan

"Did You Know?" A series of articles by Environmental Planner Shawna Anderson explores a variety of interesting topics. October's article is about the Arroyo Toad.

• New Property Acquired for Habitat and Open Space with help of partners Trust for Public Land and San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy
• Major Dumpsite Cleaned Up in San Pasqual Valley
• Accomplishments Report 1989-2004 Uploaded

Many River Park supporters may not know that the River Park has converted from a print-based news distribution to an e-mail based distribution only. Therefore, please forward this e-mail to anyone you think would be interested. Then they can sign up for themselves if they wish to continue receiving the San Dieguito River Park's RiverScape newsletter. Thank you!