Walking Distance: 1 mile
Walking Time: 1 hr., 25 min. (2:05 - 3:30 p.m.) includes two stops
Start and End Point: Public parking lot, San Pablo Ave., Hercules, CA
I realized I'd skipped part of San Pablo Avenue, from Sycamore Ave. to the end of Highway 4. (Highway 4 is also known as John Muir Parkway.)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUdO9ydSTbha-Ff-XqQSvAPPNE9lSPzQl0_sww7QBhn5ZsDF06OssAlooiUuvSEH3RGybAU-riaHxTGyq59WR_65r19Tgh_ucHc6YFzwnBsn9eh3SwFM1Irqu_KWOlhoan5sgwJIDWO2U/s200/Hercules.TheMarket1.3.12.11.600.jpg)
So, today I returned to walk these few blocks, and also to stop in at the Hercules Market Hall, a unique development with some interesting stalls, shops, and a children's play area. Food and drink vendors include Shaw's Texas Style BBQ and Moschetti espresso. There was a bocci ball court, an outdoor theater space; and a farmer's market is scheduled to resume there in May 2011, barring any local budget cuts. Funding reductions are being felt in several Bay Area towns I've passed through. I hope this small Market space will be able to continue. It seems well-suited for several different types of community activities.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_qQTobNyM-bVny8HW-MkHTP8pSzsfk0IZ73KbKdzSo3VTSc6mbhqrBUrQ63eWkYx5zcVj015_dIgvSF7N4NLaaBxJCkDss9P6DA2hr_4oUeh26jg_la1CpD8C8uE7ODQpFnwWfsOGAaQ/s200/Hercules.TheMarket.BocceBalls.3.12.11.600.jpg)
Following my stop at The Market Hall, I crossed San Pablo Ave. (please cross at the light carefully, as cars coming off Highway 4 are not always paying attention); and I walked to the end of Highway 4/John Muir Parkway.
While not part of the Bay Trail, the Western tail end of John Muir Parkway was a peaceful stretch to walk on a weekend. The road dead ended within a few long blocks of the San Francisco Bay. Given the presence of earth-moving equipment (and the dirt colored pad/area seen in Google Maps snapshot (upper edge of image, above right) at the end of the road, close to the Bay, I suspect this area will be further developed soon.
I'm not sure what all this development will mean for this ladybug that I passed on the sidewalk, or the rest of the birds, butterflies, and other wildlife in the area. I'll be curious to return a few years from now to find out.
I hope the city also continues to make this busy interchange pedestrian friendly, as I think this might help direct more traffic to The Market space as well.
Wildlife Sightings:
1 ladybug; 4 pillbugs; 2 crows; 3 red-winged blackbirds; 4 little brown jobs (LBJs); 5 white butterflies
Walking Time: 1 hr., 25 min. (2:05 - 3:30 p.m.) includes two stops
Start and End Point: Public parking lot, San Pablo Ave., Hercules, CA
I realized I'd skipped part of San Pablo Avenue, from Sycamore Ave. to the end of Highway 4. (Highway 4 is also known as John Muir Parkway.)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUdO9ydSTbha-Ff-XqQSvAPPNE9lSPzQl0_sww7QBhn5ZsDF06OssAlooiUuvSEH3RGybAU-riaHxTGyq59WR_65r19Tgh_ucHc6YFzwnBsn9eh3SwFM1Irqu_KWOlhoan5sgwJIDWO2U/s200/Hercules.TheMarket1.3.12.11.600.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirHVbo0Z6Px4-jG5ydSvw8JxJPZwhPgzvXxhMryKQrgNYgUOcQN3BzFJxX-nr3OrQMxKfY_sHzd1fOhXeBff_WXM62P7z_FWchYHLgbJjh_yElr6dI1YAtxOyF6t3p4Rp7pJRBiCKSIJM/s200/Hercules.TheMarket2.3.12.11.600.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_qQTobNyM-bVny8HW-MkHTP8pSzsfk0IZ73KbKdzSo3VTSc6mbhqrBUrQ63eWkYx5zcVj015_dIgvSF7N4NLaaBxJCkDss9P6DA2hr_4oUeh26jg_la1CpD8C8uE7ODQpFnwWfsOGAaQ/s200/Hercules.TheMarket.BocceBalls.3.12.11.600.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkF96b0mhRN8WZEKZBeTj9TLEh8MFKrj8rTP5wBThyegTQ_sEPBmWEDk4lqFZbEWbniTrh74s0FjH7qARk5ATmPWmFfgQPL48aHSUgSV_mzeW8aZ8LNubYl18nCas-Siv8D9R-9W4w7oE/s200/Hercules.Construction.3.12.11.600.jpg)
While not part of the Bay Trail, the Western tail end of John Muir Parkway was a peaceful stretch to walk on a weekend. The road dead ended within a few long blocks of the San Francisco Bay. Given the presence of earth-moving equipment (and the dirt colored pad/area seen in Google Maps snapshot (upper edge of image, above right) at the end of the road, close to the Bay, I suspect this area will be further developed soon.
I'm not sure what all this development will mean for this ladybug that I passed on the sidewalk, or the rest of the birds, butterflies, and other wildlife in the area. I'll be curious to return a few years from now to find out.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE20Dzl3Wu7JS3lJyHfrgQE5MjkMenj1nVl_vFN0l4-hTJr4wZ1fVODURUCTV301fugVKpBmV7D_cWhRD2zAzlHA4aLvEdCK6VcrWCBF6IEJAno5rq0IX9JE-WnU8LkOlcqFohmpVXyh8/s200/Hercules.Hwy4TheEnd.3.12.11.600.jpg)
Wildlife Sightings:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0e4Z3guKamW1wIj48NXFTEASqnaf3FF0bXyC0uQF9YkkLPij_g3sUA56W1EEaAI6pWs6bmluWk3NfXJiXmk4JJCd0SiqgQAc3uDMCRq-06v8UssAmcqJ0d9ITUcjszJIobrlHxzp1SNg/s200/Hercules.Ladybug.3.12.11.600.jpg)
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