POINT REYES NATIONAL SEASHORE EXPEDITION!

EARTHQUAKES!!??  YIKES!!!  All my adult life, I have heard about the San Andreas Fault, even though I live in Arkansas, thousands of miles away from its location.   Yet, I always paid attention to what I learned about it, because I have many relatives who live in California, and have heard them talk about earthquakes and tremors they have experienced over the decades.  SOOOoooo, when I read there was a Road Scholar hiking program that would be exploring and studying about the San Andreas Fault area of California, I was intrigued, and signed up to participate. (It was Program #21900CGT, and you can sign up to make this trip yourself at www.roadscholar.org .  It is offered several times a year, and I highly recommend it!) The first hike our group went on, was along the Earthquake Trail, that is accessed from the Bear Valley Visitor Center, of the Point Reyes National Seashore.

The trail gets its name because you can see the actual fence that got split in two, during the 1906 San Francisco earthquake!  The Point Reyes Peninsula is separated from the mainland by a narrow linear valley, that lies directly on the San Andreas Fault, where the Pacific and North American continental plates meet.  Point Reyes is part of the Pacific Plate, whereas the California mainland is part of the North American plate.  The San Andreas fault zone is actually many large and small faults running parallel and at odd angles.  The plates can "catch" on each other, pressure builds up, and eventually the underlying rock breaks loose in a sudden jolt.  This is what happened in 1906 when the peninsula leapt 20 feet northwestward in less than a minute. 

The trail also takes visitors by other interesting features, including this tree that gives viewers the idea it may also have been split in two by the earthquake!

The Bear Valley Visitor Center at Point Reyes National Sea Shore is a huge, barn-like structure that has fascinating exhibit inside, telling about the flora and fauna of Point Reyes, and also explaining about the shifting ground where it is located.  Besides outstanding exhibits, the center has clean restrooms, vending machines, book store, and gift shop.  Besides the Earthquake Trail, there are many other trails that get their start, or pass by, the Bear Valley Visitor Center.  These include the Rift Zone Trail, Kule Loklo Trail, Morgan Trail, Woodpecker Trail, and Bear Valley Trail.  This area also is the location of the NPS Park Headquarters. 

Following out hike on the Earthquake Trail, our group went by van to the Hearts Desire Beach for a box lunch.  Our picnic table looked out on to Tomales Bay, which lies directly over the San Andreas Fault.  Thankfully, I did not feel the slightest tremor, as we enjoyed our sandwiches, looking across the water at the Tomales Bay State Park. 

There were enough tables, and our group was small enough, we all were able to have a view that looked out onto the water, instead of towards the parking lot.  It was also reassuring that the Hearts Desire Beach had restrooms, so we could stay hydrated without concerns of about no place for a potty break!

After lunch, we drove in the van through the Tule Elk Reserve, and had the good fortune to spot a huge heard of the elk, as they grazed on the lush, green grass of their meadowlands.  It was a foggy day, so views of the herd would fluctuate with the fog conditions, but finally there was a short lifting of the mist, so that I could get a single photo of the majestic creatures.  A

After watching the elk for a while, we continue to to the parking lot that served as the trail head for the hike to Chimney Rock, located at the end of Sir Francis Drake Blvd.  It was a pleasant hike, always going slightly higher into the headlands, on a gravel trail, surrounded by incredible wildflower blooms 

The day was damp and misty and cloudy, but we had been instructed beforehand to have rain gear, and to dress in layers, so all of our group was prepared for the situation.  I have heard it said that there is no such thing as "bad weather"; rather, the problem is people "badly prepared" for the weather!

I took this photo of our group as we ascended, because I like the way the evergreen trees formed an arch across our path.  All the members of our group used their trekking poles for this hike, as the trail was steep at places, and a few potholes and ditches, caused by water run-off from recent heavy rains.

These two ladies from our Road Scholar group were deep into conversation, and oblivious to the fact that they were being photographed.  Personally, I did not want to get that close to the edge of the cliff!

Our hike took us by some of the historic structures of Point Reyes National Seashore.  Sadly, we did not get to see the Point Reyes Lighthouse, as the road to the lighthouse, as well as the lighthouse itself, were closed for repairs.

There are no impenetrable barriers that keep people away from the edge of the bluff, but this sign was enough of a warning to me!  As you can see from the path that leads to the edge, however, not everyone obeys the sign!

At one point, a visitor can get close enough to the edge to see the rocky beach below.  Even though it is called the Chimney Rock Trail, none of us saw any rock formation that resembled a chimney!  Our leader told us that the erosive action of the waves, and possibly tremors/earthquakes, had eliminated whatever landmark used to be there, that looked like a chimney.

There were some narrow inlets that provided a water show, as the waves crashed through the openings, and ejected sprays of sea foam into the air.  Who knows---maybe it was this sea foam that formed the basis for the word "chimney", and it resembled smoke coming from a chimney!

We continued on our hike towards another area above Drakes Beach, where we would see a different kind of mammal, than the elk we had seen earlier.

Those critters laying on the beach are called Elephant Seals. 

As we walked down the paved road towards the pier, the noises became louder and louder, as the elephant seals went about their routine squabbles over territory.

Some of the seals (like the ones in this photo) seem to be loners, and did not huddle up together.

There were baby seals that could capture your heart with their big eyes staring at you!

This is a photo of the seals that are NOT loners.  They were huddled up together and making squawking noises, that could be heard from very far away.  Likewise, the smell also carried a great distance!

Part of the smell comes from their fecal matter, but part of the "aroma" is associated with their molting characteristics.

The literature said visitors can watch elephant seals as they breed, and these two "lovers" look like they may have been ready to do just that!

I have a fascination with "Bench Mark" imagery, so I did not want to pass up the opportunity to photograph a U.S.  Coast Survey marker, as proof I had visited this area!

Another beach our group visited just a short distance from where we had seen the elephant seals, had a completely different habit, and there were no seals in sight at this location.

The park literature talks about the Douglas fir

 and rare bishop pines that brave the relentless wins that are always blowing at Point Reyes National Seashore, and this photo shows how they are growing bent, from the non-stop gusts.

Point Reyes National Seashore is famous for its wildflower blooms, and although the purple flowers in this photo of colorful, they are evidence of Ice Plant, that was introduced by well-meaning government workers decades ago, to prevent erosion of the coastline.  Although they may have been effective for eliminating erosion, they have also eliminated most native species of wildflowers, and concurrently, the ecosystem that go along with those native plants.  Efforts are on-going to mitigate the effects of the Ice Plant, on the native species of the California coast. 

This is a photo of our Road Scholar group, as we dined the evening of our first full day of Program # 21900CGT.  This lovely restaurant was located in the Town Center Corte Madera, which also had numerous other cafes and popular stores.  The lodging for our group was the Best Western Inn of Corte Madera, California.  The hotel was part of a five-acre property, located in the heart of Marin County, just across the street from the Town Center.  

If you would like to learn more about everything Marin County has to offer, just visit their website at www.VisitMarin.org

The global significance of protecting Point Reyes and its  surrounding waters continue to grow, aided by federal and state law.  The park is part of the Golden Gate Biosphere Reserve, and you can learn more details about it at www.nps.gov/pore   I am very thankful I had this opportunity to visit this area, and even more thankful there were no big earthquakes while I was there!  All in all, it was an experience that gave me "MILES OF SMILES"!  Tricia

Addendum:  The words of Jesus in Matthew 24:7 clearly state, "There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.", so after spending a week in "earthquake country",  my recommendation is to get your heart right with God, and "live each day as if it were your last---and one day---you will be right!"

ANGEL ISLAND EXPEDITION!

This article tells about one day, of the six-day Road Scholar Program #21900 ( www.roadscholar.org ) that I recently attended in Marin County, California.  I first heard about Angel Island a few years ago, when I was visiting relatives in Tiburon, California.  They took us to downtown Tiburon, where I saw the information on the ferry to Angel Island State Park, and I was hooked (just like the shark my cousin was able to hook, while fishing from his deck above Richardson Bay in Tiburon!  Since "tiburon" is the Spanish word for "shark", I think it is very memorable that he snagged a "tiburon" in Tiburon!)

Before we exited our van to the ferry boarding area, our leader told us that we would probably see school children on the ferry, as Angel Island was often the destination for students on an overnight field trip to the Civil War-era fort that is located on the island. 

When I expressed surprise about the California coast being significant in the Civil War, our Road Scholar leader explained to me that this area of California was reaping the benefits of the 1849 gold rush, and there were large stockpiles of gold to be protected in the San Francisco area.  Although the South was not famous for a naval fleet that could easily reach the Pacific Coast, there was speculation that the South might have some allies in the better-equipped British navy.  Hence, the goal was to protect San Francisco from invaders looking to steal their gold---regardless of who it might be!

The students were divided into well-organized units, and were very well-behaved.  It was fun to see them march to their assigned seats, as their drummers pounded out a cadence!  I asked one of the leaders which school they were from, and the answer was the nearby city of Cupertino.  Since I knew nothing about that town, I looked it up on Wikipedia, and saw that the per capita income for that town is about three times the per capita income for the town where I live! In addition, Cupertino is considered one of the wealthiest cities in the U.S!

When we arrived at Angel Island State Park, our leader showed us the map of the island, and told us all to take a photo of it with our cell phones.  He indicated that there are usually paper maps from the state park to give to each person, but (perhaps because of budget cutbacks) none were available on the day of our visit. 

From the ferry dock, we started up the North Ridge Trail, which was quite steep and had lots of steps!

However, there were places along the trail with scenic views, so it made the climb worth the effort!

This photo shows the

docks at sea level, as seen from our location part way up the trail. 

All of us took a few minutes rest and catch our breath before we proceeded further on the trail.

As you can see, Angel Island is not very far from the mainland, and can be a destination for ocean kayakers who don't mind a good workout!

The town on Tiburon is easily seen from Angel Island.

From the island, you can also easily see the border of  the undeveloped part of the mainland, that is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.

Private vehicles are not allowed on the island, although there are official state park vehicles used throughout the island. 

No matter where one happens to be around the island, the views are fantastic!

The first stop our group was going to make was the Angel Island U.S. Immigration Station, which i a National Historic Landmark.  Before one goes on a Road Scholar program, you are given the names of suggested books to learn about the area you will be visiting .  In reading one of those books about Angel Island, I learned that it might be thought of as the "Ellis Island" of the West Coast.  It was the place where most immigrants were detained, before they could be absorbed into the general population. 

The hillside building in this photo was one of the official residences for Immigration employees.

The long building on the left of this photo is the dormitory where the immigrants lived during their time here. 

This photo shows one of the Road Scholar ladies reading one of the commemorative placards that tell the story of this period of U.S. history.

This bell would be sounded for significant events that happened on the island. 

An Angel Island State Park employee is shown in this photo, giving a history lesson to a group of students on a field trip.  

Some of the bunks have been left in tact, so that visitors can get a feel of the "density" of people that lived here.  I have slept on a bunk bed that was second level, but never one that was on the third level!

Notice that even the space above the third level bunk is not wasted, as it is use to hang up clothes!

There is a nice picnic area in front of the dormitory, and that is where our group had their box lunches. 

Throughout the park there are maps that tell where you are on the island. 

This chapel was in use during the last century, whenever Angel Island was an active military base.  It was a reminder to me of Psalm 139:8 that says, "If I went up to heaven, you would be there; if I lay down in the world of the dead, you would be there."   If I do not feel as close to God when I am out on the West Coast, it is NOT because God is not there!  Perhaps it is because I neglect my morning prayer time, skip my daily Bible devotions, and I am not surrounded by people speaking "Christian-ese", like they do in my home state of Arkansas.  I know the "perceived" lack of closeness is NOT because God has changed, it is because my time with Him has diminished while traveling. (Note to self:  Do not neglect your SPIRITUAL preventive maintenance when away from home!)

I do not want my life to be an empty shell, like the empty shell of the former military building shown in this photo.  A building needs regular preventive maintenance to stay functional.  Likewise, as a human being, I need regular preventive maintenance---Spiritual, Physical, Emotional, and Mental---to keep me functional!

This variegated century plant was in the yard of one of the military officers residences that look out over the ocean.  Although most of these formerly-elegant homes are now vacant, we saw at least one of them had been renovated and was being used as a residence for park staff. 

This is view that you would have if you lived on present-day Angel Island---the skyscrapers of San Francisco, and a gigantic cruise ship, docked and loading passengers. 

Although visitors cannot bring motorized vehicles over on the ferry, bicycles are welcome, and we saw folks enjoying the paved and hilly roads that can peddled on for miles throughout the island. 

This was the first time I have ever seen a "philosophical statement" carved into a picnic table, and I loved it!

This photo shows a part of the old Civil War-era fort, and some of the student re-enactors out doing their military duties. 

This former lens/light was once located inside the Angel Island Lighthouse, and can now be seen in the museum there.

As our time on Angel Island ended, we boarded the ferry to head back to the mainland.

It was a beautiful day, so many of the passengers enjoyed the breezy trip on top of the ferry, instead of inside the enclosed cabin below.

This is the view we saw as we approached Tiburon on our return trip.

Once back in Tiburon, we went to visit the train museum.

Volunteers at the museum have re-created what Tiburon was like in the early days of its existence, especially during the railroad era. 

This photo shows the tiny street that is adjacent to the Tiburon ferry.  Our leader told us that many of these buildings used to be waterfront "arks", that were later converted into retail establishments. 

The Tiburon fountain looks different, depending the angle you look at it.    From this angle, it might remind you of the fins of a shark--i.e.tiburon!

From another angle, I am reminded of the sails of a group of yachts!   Whatever the interpretation, there is one thing for certain----the experiences I had on this Tiburon/Angel Island excursion gave me "MILES OF SMILES"!!!    Tricia