1/29 Strawberry Canyon to UC Botanical Garden

This was our annual pilgrimage down Strawberry Canyon then back up to the Botanic Garden for the Plants Illustrated exhibit of botanical art in the Garden’s Julia Morgan Hall. This year, the members of the Northern California Society of Botanical Artists presented works on the the theme of rare and endangered plants of the world. Lee, a member of the Society, gave a brief introductory talk. After we (a dozen hikers + Jeanne and Delia who met us there) enjoyed the art work there was time to wander in the garden before Jeanne and Delia shuttled drivers back up the hill. The walk from Grizzly Peak/Centennial Dr to the Bot Garden is 4.1 miles with additional distances in the garden.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/Gg8nxG

02/22 - Mt Diablo

A dozen of us headed to Mt Diablo, hiking our usual route along Knobcone Pt road as far as the gate just past Balancing Rock. John and Monique went further-to the utility tower; Shirley stopped at the picnic table hidden in the manzanitas and I only went as far as the start of the last uphill before returning to join Shirley. Mileage to the gate and return is about 4.25 miles.

We will have to make a return visit as the manzanitas were only beginning to open.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/5oiH38

We talked at some length with a worker for Rural Pig Management who was out to bait traps. He said the pig problem was the worst he has seen it. They caught over 150 in the park in December alone. There are lots of totally uprooted areas along Knobcone Pt Rd and again as we left the park via Northgate Rd.

Bay Nature Article on feral Pigs
https://baynature.org/article/ground-invasion/

The pig meat was previously donated to area food banks. However, recent regulations enacted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture have required meat inspection before slaughter, making the program impractical. Then for a while, carcasses were taken to tallow plants, but no plants are now accepting them. So the remains are left in remote locations for turkey vultures and other carrion eaters.

(https://www.mercurynews.com/2010/11/08/park-it-district-tries-to-control-pig-population/)

01/15/2020 - Carquinez Regional Shorelinre

15 humans and 5 canines (Oscar with the McDougall's; Nick's Mojo and a big black lab whose name I didn't hear and Obi and Bacchus with Bob) walked on the Carquinez Scenic Road and George Miller Trail on a chilly, gray day. It was clear but only 37 when we met at the pink wall. No one checked the temperature as we started walking, but hats and gloves and scarves and jackets were the order of the day. The fog, which only appeared as we drove into Martinez, made it seem even colder. But the good news was "no mud". Distances varied but for most was 4.6 miles.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/824CH1

01/08 - Redwood Regional Park

A dozen of us started from the Skyline entrance and made the East Ridge/Prince/Stream loop on a day which started with fog after overnight showers and ended with sun and clouds. It was seasonable for January, mitts and hats felt good. The moisture had brought out all sorts of mushrooms; the ladybugs were waking up; the mud was of the slick, stick to your boots sort. It was a good walk of about 3.5 miles.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/07LKGP

01/02 Soup Day at Jeanne's

Fourteen of us started at the fire access road on Saklan Indian Dr. We all walked up to the Labyrinth, many paced its winding path. Nine walked back to Jeanne's and the other 5 rode back (Shirley took two drivers back to get their cars later). There the group was increased by 3. We had all sorts of delicious food from "befores" to soup to sweets, and lots of good companionship. The full hike was about 1.5 mile; I have a gimpy leg and only did the short bit (.3 mi) so you will need to wait for Phred's pictures to see the remainder of the hike

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/360879

Happy New Year to the Wednesday Walkers, even tho this was Thursday!