02/21/2024 - Arrowhead Marsh

 

There was a big group today: 16!!

We started from the parking lot by the King Fisher picnic area and most walked as far as the art installation at Zhone Way. Returns were staggered with some of us taking the long way around the New Marsh area, some returning as we had started, some waling along the road from the furthest in parking area...Lots of clouds and there was definitely rain on the west side of the Bay, but we were dry.

The tide was in, so birds were mostly floating out of range of my phone camera. Distances varied from under 3 to almost 4 miles.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/c2X6A5H60N

2/14 - Crockett Hills

 

We had missed two Wednesdays because of ill timed rain, so really wanted to get out and check the beginnings of spring. It was 9:33 when 9 of us left the parking lot. The sky was gray, but the forecast insisted it would start to rain after noon. We found the Dirca in the usual spot and several patches of osoberry. And fungi...all sorts and everywhere. As we hit the parking area on our return, just a few minutes before noon, fat rain drops started peppering the pavement. Excellent timing! A bit over 2 1/4 miles.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/3E9dRf71WZ

1/24 - UC Botanical Garden

 
Lee was our docent for the 15th Anniversary Plants Illustrated exhibit (Edible California Native Plants) at Julia Morgan Hall. There are few pictures from the exhibit as the reflections on the glass were difficult to avoid. There were some very interesting pieces. Lucky for me one I really liked was not for sale!

There were 13 of us on a very drippy morning. The real rain stopped and it was good to be able to wander in the garden for a while after looking at the art exhibit. There is no map as few of us walked the same way.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/Jh14134a58 

1/17 - Mulholland Ridge

 

There were 11 of us this morning. We all felt the need to get out and move, but not for too long or on a slippy, muddy trail. The Mulholland Ridge out and back with a circle around the knoll by the EBMUD tank fit the bill. Still too many clouds for great views but satisfying, none the less, with plenty of green and a very loud frog chorus in the valley with the ponds. Under 2 miles

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/NjzfuprJ70

A reprise of the information about the name:

Quoting from Moraga's Pride, Rancho Laguna de los Palos Colorados (Moraga Historical Society, 2002) p. 95

Living on the east side of the summit of today's Rheem Boulevard, [John] Mulholand rented his land in 1873. Official documents show that he came from Ireland and was naturalized in San Francisco on August 31, 1867, when he was 59 years old. He was a member of the Willow Spring School Board in 1871 and again in 1892. He and his wife Ellen, who was born in 1840, had nine children. ... His will was probated in 1900. Ellen died  October 17, 1921.

However, Mulholland Ridge is not named for John, but for William Mulholland the same fellow responsible for the LA Aqueduct which drained Owens Lake. His name is associated with a formation which is evident in the geology of the ridge.

https://oaklandgeology.com/2018/09/03/the-rocks-of-mulholland-hill/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mulholland_Formation

1/10 - Carquinez Regional Shoreline

 

Just 6 of us on an off and on rainy morning. There were several rainbows, but not bright enough to show in photos. There were views and plenty of growing things. Not too cold. And Elaine brought cookies to celebrate Phred's upcoming birthday. An out and back of about 3.25 miles

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/5i5j8HZiCi

01/03 - Nimitz from Inspiration Point

 

5 of us walked from Inspiration Pt to the Peace Grove trail junction and back; 3.6 miles. It was beautiful after the rain: wonderful clouds, lots of green and new growing things. A good way to start the year!

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/A8LawzBN38

12/06 - Sobrante Ridge Preserve

 

The forecast was for rain beginning about noon and the fog was so thick it required windshield wipers until we turned onto Castro Ranch Rd. But by the time we parked we had SUN. There were no sprinkles on the hike, but by the time we were back to Orinda the rain had begun. So the 6 of us had taken advantage of a lucky break in the weather. The big Manzanitas are still alive, but most in sad shape. 2.7 miles

https://www.flickr.com/gp/momcat_ksw/LD4avPL34m