One More Hike With Jackson Then Good Bye California

Jackson and I went for one more hike late this afternoon. The ultra-steep climb up Cardiac Hill was worth the stunning view. Birds rode air current as they hunted for food. Coyotes and bobcats can be frequently spotted, but with the quick turn of your head, you are looking at the skyline of San Fransisco.  And in the distance is the Pacific Ocean.

I'll be catching an early morning bus to the airport tomorrow, but I know I'll be coming back here soon.

Rain Helps California Drought

The 'golden hills' of Marin have turned green for the first time in five years due to the much needed recent rain. The 'golden' color of the grassy hills, is caused by grass going dormant because of lack of rain. As this photo shows, the grass has begun to turn green again and the reservoirs are filling up once more.

Hiking To the Pacific Ocean

Today we hiked along a trail that led to the Pacific Ocean. The fog was quite thick at first from the warm air hitting the cold Pacific waters. As we headed back to the car the sun came out, the fog cleared and the temperature warmed up by 15 degrees. 

We noticed that the hills surrounding the beach looked very, very different from the last time we were here. An opening in the rocks had completely closed shut. It may be hard to believe but these big hills are moving all the time. Sometimes they move so suddenly that there is an earthquake. You can see how these big hill of rock are being pushed up from pressure building.

Marin Headlands

38.0400° N, 122.7400° W: Marin Headlands

We spent the day in the California county of Marin. Marin is just north of San Fransisco. Mount Tampalias is a well known and much loved landmark in Marin. The Golden Gate National Recreational Area has beautiful trails perfect for hiking and biking. The views of the Pacific Ocean are breath-taking. This is a wilderness area on the outskirts of an urban area. California has been in a severe drought for five years. I was surprised to see vegetation looking so green after the recent rains.

Golden Gate Bridge and a Trip to the Music Store

This morning I had so much fun. On our way to breakfast I stumbled across a music store and got to try out new gear. I played a Marshall Half Stack with a Les Paul Special. I felt like a kid in a candy store! I'm pointing toward a device that automatically tunes the guitar for you. It was very cool.

We are traveling to Marin County this evening (in rush hour.) To get there we drive over the Golden Gate Bridge. The bridge will be closed all weekend for the first time ever so that some repairs can be made. 

This morning I visited Grace Cathedral. It was founded during the California Gold Rush in 1849, was destroyed in a fire after an earthquake in 1906, then rebuilt. It is truly magnificent.

San Fransisco is famous for its sourdough bread. It reminds me of Portuguese bread, but has a little more zing to it. It's really delicious.

 On the Hyline to Hyannis, I think about how I am missing my NES friends and students. Tom Dixon, my nephew, and I are going to take a bus to Boston, Ma, get on a plane, and fly to San Fransisco. This trip is taking us thirteen hours today, but in 1800's it took families about two months in good weather to make the journey west.  If the weather turned bad it could take a wagon two months just to cross the Rocky Mountains.