Andersen Dr., WildCare - March 10, '13

Walking Distance: 3.1 mi.
Walking Time: 1 hr., 55 min. (3:05 - 5:00 p.m.)
Start and End Point: diagonal parking space (4-hour limit) on Albert Park Lane, San Rafael, CA

This afternoon's walk on Andersen Drive in San Rafael was primarily on sidewalks (shown as a solid, green line on 2012-2013 Bay Trail Map Set). I parked a few blocks off the Bay Trail near the Terwilliger Nature Education Center and WildCare* facility so I could see some additional birds (pelicans, turkey vulture, others) after my stroll down Andersen Drive.

First, I walked (north) through Albert Park, between rows of palm trees with a view of the Mission San Rafael Arcángel. When I reached Andersen Drive I headed right/south on the sidewalk (on Andersen) toward Bellam Boulevard. 

Along the way, I passed through a light industrial area, and a few metal quonset huts sticking up over the fence to my right. Some of these arched steel, prefabricated structures were inscribed with interesting painted, partly faded signage; others had letters which spelled out mysterious words like: "PUMPS."

Trees lining the sidewalk were laden with white blossoms, a sure sign of spring. A bush with bright pink/purple sweet pea flowers spilled through a fence within smelling distance of where I stood. Tiny patches of grafitti sprouted on cement surfaces.

I became aware of the Cal Park Hill bicycle/pedestrian trail to my right, and merged with it before I reached Bellam Blvd. Somehow this bike path had escaped my notice on my first walk around the Bay. I turned around when the bike path passed the intersection of Bellam Blvd. and Andersen and started to curve south.

After turning around, I walked west, back up Andersen Drive, and made a stop at Safeway for something to eat and drink, then proceeded on (southeast) to WildCare. I arrived before closing time (and the last feeding of the day), and caught glimpses of pelicans in the courtyard/pool area. I also saw a great (white) egret that may have flown in hoping for a fish.
Wildlife Sightings:
1 duck (in creek); 2 sea gulls; 33 pigeons; 9 crows/ravens; 2 hawks/birds of prey (one screeching and chasing another one - possibly a fledgling asking for food from an adult); 1 rusty screw (and several nails)

*WildCare treats approximately 3,000 injured or sick animals per year, and seeks to educate the public on how to best co-exist with fellow wild creatures.

Andersen Drive, cont. - Feb. 1, 2013

Walking Distance: 1.05 mi.
Walking Time: 45 min. (3:15 - 4:00 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Orchard Supply Hardware, parking lot, San Rafael, CA

This afternoon's meander was a short continuation of a walk earlier this afternoon -- when I walked the southern end of Andersen Drive and continued up Andersen to the Orchard Supply Hardware store. This walk was more casual than usual, with a few stops along the way. Sidewalks were available for this segment and, in fact, most of Andersen Drive is shown as a solid, green line -- a developed trail -- on the San Francisco Bay Trail map set.

I started this walk by buying some bottled water at Orchard Supply for the walk. And I headed northwest on Andersen Drive until I reached the intersection of Andersen Dr. with Bellam Boulevard (traffic light), where I turned around. Not many birds today other than ones you'd expect to see in more urban or light industrial areas near the shore: sea gulls, and a few crows perched on fences.

Tap Plastics stop
Occasionally I've noted possible places of interest while walking the Bay Trail. Here's one that might appeal to a select few. On the way back to my car, I stopped at Tap Plastics -- (a chain of) stores in the Bay Area that offer custom-made and off-the-shelf plastic sheets, dowels, cases, and many other shapes and options. It's a great store for people who are building specialty items, creative projects, or just want to solve a simple problem. I lingered over the displays and bought some custom cut plastic sheets (for a photography shoot) and happily lugged them down Andersen Drive back to my car.

Three Twins sundae
One more place of note...After I finished this walk, I drove south along Sir Francis Drake Boulevard (and the SF Bay Trail), and I stopped at Three Twins ice cream (at Marin Country Mart shopping center) for a truly great ice cream sundae, called the California Cliche: two scoops of ice cream, drizzled with olive oil, and topped with pistachio nuts and fresh whipped cream. Food tastes even better after a walk on the Bay Trail.

Wildlife Sightings:
11 sea gulls; 3 little brown jobs; 3 crows

San Rafael, Andersen Dr. - Feb. 1, '13

Walking Distance: 1.4 mi.
Walking Time: 23 min. (2:35 - 2:58 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Andersen Drive, San Rafael

Today I walked the relatively short, curvy, hilly, southern end of Andersen Drive in San Rafael, to Sir Francis Drake Boulevard (toward Larkspur), and then back down Andersen Dr. (Andersen is shown as a diagonal, solid dark green line on the Bay Trail map set), as far as Orchard Supply Hardware.

Because I was walking relatively close to fast-moving vehicle traffic I was hiking at a pretty brisk pace -- eager to finish the stretch along Sir Francis Drake Blvd. (shown as less developed, dark green dotted line on the 2012-2013 Bay Trail map set). I did not walk far along Sir Francis Drake Blvd. The closer this road gets closer to the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge, it seems the dicier it gets.

Also, I covered this stretch quickly, because I wasn't stopping to take photos every few minutes. (Sadly, I accidentally left my camera in the car on this segment.) So, this is a short entry. (The two photos shown at right were taken later in the day through a car window.)

Wildlife Sightings:
1 turkey vulture; 1 hubcap; 1 rusty screw

San Rafael, Andersen Drive, Part #3 - March 4, 2010

Walking Distance: 1.9 miles
Walking Time: 37 minutes (3:08 - 3:45 p.m.)
Start and End Point: 1-hour (street) parking spot on Andersen Drive, San Rafael, CA

This last (eastern) stretch of Andersen Drive (area shown as double red lines on map) wound up a hill and ended at the intersection with Sir Francis Drake Blvd. (area shown as double yellow lines). I turned right on Sir Francis Drake, as no pedestrians or bicycles were allowed to turn left -- i.e. to travel the stretch of road serving as the approach to Richmond Bridge. I continued on Sir Francis Drake Blvd., passing a closed gate to San Quentin Prison, until I'd reached the point where I'd left off several days ago. Then I turned around and walked back.

Note: Although somewhat scenic, with some nice glimpses of the Bay, this route is not a walker-friendly stretch of road. It may be better for bicyclists. Cars come hurtling by you at fairly high speeds. I waited until cars had passed before taking these pictures. The good news: I did walk much faster than usual, so I could get off these busy roads. This meant fewer photo stops, even though I wanted to take one of a San Quentin prison watch tower in the distance, with the Bay in the background. I also didn't feel comfortable taking pictures of the prison.

Wildlife:
1 turkey vulture, 1 hubcap, 1 small lizard, and 1 duck flying overhead

San Rafael, Andersen Drive Part #1 - Feb. 24, 2010

Walking Distance: 2.2 miles (2 segments combined)
Walking Time: 1 hr., 49 min. (6:32 - 8:21 p.m.) includes 2 stops
Start and End Point: 2 different locations along Andersen Drive, San Rafael, CA

It was completely dark by the time I walked down the industrial/commercial section of Andersen Drive. I stopped in at a hardware store for a quick errand, and at a Wendy's for something to eat.

My only wildlife sightings were a few earthworms that had straggled out from a strip of green lawn onto a concrete sidewalk -- a form of worm suicide?  I threw a few back onto the lawn, hoping that would help, and not make matters worse. I shouldn't play God when I don't know what I'm doing. These worms could have been a great bird buffet.

I walked as far northwest as the Office Depot store on Andersen Drive, before deciding to head home.