Moments in Dirt and Ink

Golden Gate National Recreation Area Click for map. I had planned to start my day with a little sight seeing at Battery Spencer, but I encountered a one way road going the wrong way. I then encountered a parking lot that I could maneuver my little trailer into without taking up any extra spaces and investigate what was going on with my road. Had I been prepared to start then, I'd have started with my hike and had the good camera for the sunrise, maybe even in what the passing bicyclist felt was the best spot for it. Instead I was scratching my head on a bit of trail, chatting with said bicyclist, and generally thinking I don't really want to drive miles to get a parking spot less than a quarter mile from where I'm already stopped. The sunrise over the Golden Gate Bridge according to the phone. The bicyclist also indicated that the spotlights on the towers are usually still on at this hour for a nice accent. So I packed up properly and thought about the break...

King Mountain Open Space Baltimore Canyon Open Space Preserve Mount Tamalpais Watershed Click for map. Mount Tamalpais, which is actually just called "Mount Tam" by the people around it, is another one that one could be climbed by a long wiggling drive and a short stroll. However, I don't want to just be there, I want to have journeyed there. There are lots of ways to really hike up it, too. I chose one that looked like it would be an easy drive and let me loop around King Mountain before tackling the big stuff. Somewhere up a steep two-way road with driving down one side and parking, paved around redwood trees, or non-existence down the other, I found a gate and a turnaround. There are maybe five parking spots within a quarter mile of it, but the top one was free and I grabbed it. On a bit of a hill with no curb to turn into, so with the break as tight as I can get it and in gear and a bit of thought about maybe a rock under a tire. The trail is easy to find ...

Point Reyes area Click for location. Driving past Bolinas Lagoon, we stopped to try to take it all in. Taking in the lagoon from a tiny point of land beside the road.

Point Reyes area Click for map. We stopped at the park at the edge of the Tomales Bay Ecological Reserve not certain what we would get. It is a popular little spot by the cars in the lot, but the one picnic table sits unused. And here we are, at the start. We pop over the bridge and start wandering the trail. It edges past the nearly static waters of Lagunitas Creek. They sit like a long, thin lagoon below a steep bank. A few ducks can be found upon them. Tall grasses edge the water in some places.

Golden Gate National Recreation Area Heading up the freeway, it is often fun to play near a bridge. Out on the Marin Headlands is an excellent place to play on a very large bridge indeed. Spanning the Golden Gate in international orange is the Golden Gate Bridge. North end of the Golden Gate Bridge. The very first exit off the end of the bridge is a view point with plenty to view, although not so much the morning I was there. Winter should be a good time to take in the view. There is also a series of memorials. Alcatraz Island is supposed to be out there somewhere.