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.

 Miss Penotte and Mrs. H-D are working hard to dream up fun and exciting learning opportunities for students when we return after our holiday break.

Thank Your Nantucket Elementary School, Nantucket, MA

Thank you NES! Without you I do not know what I would be today. These last 25 years of teaching at Nantucket Elementary School has taught me so much. I've been incredibly  lucky to work with the most amazing people (both students and teachers.) I've made lots of friends and believe more than ever how important public school is. The work that goes on inside the walls of NES can and does change lives. It surely has changed mine and has added an immense richness and feeling of deep graditude. 

And now for the next chapter...