Stage Gulch Rd., Part 2, Petaluma - June 3, 2010

Walking Distance: 2.2 miles
Walking Time: 1 hr., 1 min. (6:40 - 7:41 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Parked on Stage Gulch Rd. (dirt pull-out area), across the road from 601 Stage Gulch (JLT Ranch), Petaluma, CA

I finished this stretch of country road that I started a few days ago. It was later in the day; and when three people pull over to ask me if I needed help, in less than 1 mile, I came away thinking two thoughts.

First, the stretch road was probably not the safest hiking path; it had no real shoulder, traffic was whizzing by -- and there were, sadly, lots of small dead animals on the side of the road (mostly snakes, but the occasional birds and insects as well). Second, this was an area with kind people, who were concerned about fellow human beings who might have had a flat tire, or a stalled motorcycle, or other trouble.

I enjoyed seeing cows, and great egrets wandering around in the grass on a farm near the cows. Except for having to be vigilant for traffic, it was very peaceful. So, I kept to the far edge of the grass (watching for little critter holes and what might be popping out of them), and enjoyed the walk.




Wildlife Sightings:
28 red-winged blackbirds; 3 dead snakes (1 kingsnake, 2 brown, patterned snakes); 4 great egrets (farm grass/field); 2 little brown jobs (LBJs); 14 black and white cows; 1 killdeer; 1 dead bird; 1 dead bumblebee; 1 dead black beetle