Benicia-Martinez Bridge, Dec. 31, 2010

Walking Distance: 3.3 miles (estimate)
Walking Time: 1 hr., 10 min. (3:47 - 4:57 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Jefferson St. -- near Park Road, Benicia, CA

The last day of 2010 was somewhat overcast and cold. But, it wasn't too windy and it wasn't raining (yet). It was a fine day to walk across the Benicia-Martinez Bridge.

After lunch in historic downtown Benicia, I headed east toward the Benicia-Martinez Bridge -- which runs roughly north-south across the Carquinez Strait. I started from the Benicia side; from Jefferson (yellow lines on map), I walked up Park Road.

Near the intersection of Park Road and Oak Road, I turned right onto the paved, 2-way bicycle and pedestrian path toward the bridge. A few pieces of thistledown from large, dried thistles floated across the path.

On a clear day, there are probably nice views from this bridge (of Benicia and the Carquinez Bridge to the West). I turned around after I'd crossed into Martinez and Contra Costa County, and walked back over the bridge.

There were not too many other people (2 pedestrians and 4 bicycles) crossing the bridge today (New Year's Eve).

I enjoyed watching a small group of swallows flying around at dusk. Where there are bridges and  lots of overpasses, near the Bay, there are usually swallows.

Wildlife:

22 little brown jobs (LBJs); 1 hawk; 21 swallows; 4 sea gulls; and 1 great egret