Highway 121/Arnold Dr. - Aug. 3, 2010

Walking Distance: 1.4 miles
Walking Time: 29 min. (6:55 - 7:24 p.m.)
Start and End Point: The Fruit Basket, Arnold Drive, Sonoma, CA

I've skipped a few stretches of busy roads/highways that are part of the Bay Trail, because these areas are generally less fun and relaxing than dedicated walking trails. This is especially true of roads with 12 inches or less of road to walk on in a few places. Today I returned to finish one such segment mid-week, in the evening before sunset, when traffic was lighter. Waiting until traffic died down made for a very pleasant walk. 

I walked from The Fruit Basket, a conveniently located roadside stand with fresh produce and other grocery items, first north and then south -- as far as the entrance to Viansa Winery. Along the way I passed the Jacuzzi Family Winery (and The Olive Press), and the Cline Winery, and watched lots of birds fly overhead (some of them shown at right).

At the south end of the walk, grapevines started to yield to pasture land, with signs out advertising fresh eggs and grass fed beef. All over Sonoma County, there are signs for fresh eggs -- a few with instructions to come around back to purchase or pick them up. I'll miss seeing these signs as I work my way south and east.

Wildlife Sightings:
1 white butterfly; 137 little brown jobs/unidentified songbirds; and 4 blurs in the bushes (probably lizards)

Fremont Dr. - Arnold Dr., Sonoma - July 7, 2010

Walking Distance: 3.3 mi.
Walking Time: 1 hr., 11 min. (7:04 - 8:15 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Parking lot at the corner of Arnold Drive and Fremont Drive, Sonoma, CA

I walked from the Schellville Grill (near Broadway and Fremont Drive) to Angelo's Wine Country Deli (23400 Arnold Drive). Unfortunately, both establishments were closed for the evening by the time I arrived. However, it was a very pleasant night for a walk.



I crossed over Sonoma Creek, and it was good to see some water on its way to the San Francisco Bay. (Most of the current Bay Trail in Sonoma County is along rural roads north of the Bay.) I passed berry bushes, a tile shop, old rusting trucks and farm equipment, and the Vineyard Inn. However, most of the land was relatively undeveloped and much of the open land was devoted to agricultural use (primarily grapevines and some hay).

Wildlife Sightings:
14 little brown jobs (LBJs); 2 crows; 2 doves; 1 yellow and black bumblebee (?); and 1 rusty screw.

Arnold Drive, Dog house, Sonoma - July 7, 2010

Walking Distance: .65 mi. (estimate)
Walking Time: 20 min. (6:30 - 6:50 p.m.)
Start and End Point: unpaved shoulder/pull-out area, along Highway 116 East (Stage Gulch Rd.), Sonoma, CA

I had walked this stretch of Arnold Drive (from 116 East to the intersection of Arnold Drive and Fremont Drive) before. I succeeded, with the exception of about 1/3 mile (x2) of Arnold Drive where three houses had barking dogs -- and in two cases the dogs either ran out into the road, or started to head my way.  While I can't say I was looking forward to this, I forced myself to complete this segment this evening. Fortunately, the three dogs in the final yard or two, across the road, did not run out into traffic, but they looked like they might. Keep this in mind if you are passing through this area either in foot or on a bicycle. (My advice, stay on the East side of Arnold Drive - the furthest away from these few houses with loose dogs.)

Not many pictures in this entry; I was too busy keeping my eye on the dogs.

Wildlife Sightings:
13 little brown jobs (LBJs)
1 hawk
3 farm dogs barking at me

Arnold Drive, South to Hwy 121 - June 16, 2010

Walking Distance: 2.2 miles (estimate)
Walking Time: 54 min. (6:32 - 7:26 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Side of road, E. Bonness Road, Sonoma, CA


This evening marked a return to walking on more rural highways, with fast-moving traffic, and moderate shoulders on the side of the road. Like many of these roads in the Bay Trail system (depicted on the Bay Trail maps by double yellow lines), this is not a route for families, children, or dogs.


This stretch of Arnold Drive (between Stage Gulch Road (Highway116)
and Bonneau Road (Highway 121) had an overabundance of aggressive farm dogs who were able to run out into the road, so I would not recommend this segment for pedestrians of any kind. And if you're on a bicycle, with luck you can outrun these dogs. Unfortunately, these dogs (all on the West side of the road) caused me to have to cut this segment short; so I will have to make up this last stretch sometime later. Note: this is the first time I have encountered any problem with dogs in more than 200 miles of walking. Fingers crossed it will be the last.

I was able to walk south on Arnold Drive from East Bonness Rd., and reached the intersection of Arnold with Bonneau Road, before turning around and walking back to my car. Further down E. Bonness Rd., in the distance, was a very tall tree, being used as a flag pole, for a very large American flag. It was impressive for its size.

Wildlife Sightings:
14 blackbirds; 2 swallows; 6 barking farm dogs (in 3 different places); 2 red-winged blackbirds; 4 horses; 12 cows; 2 lizards; 1 bluejay; 2 rusty screws; 1 little brown job (LBJ).