Carquinez Scenic Dr. - Feb. 8, 2011

Walking Distance: 2.0 mi. (estimate)
Walking Time: 44 min. (12:12 - 12:56 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Unpaved shoulder, Carquinez Scenic Drive, near Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline park entrance, Crockett, CA

It was a beautiful, sunny, breezy, winter day to walk the last remaining stretch of Carquinez Scenic Drive (curving double yellow lines on map) -- near the parking area of Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline park, West toward Winslow Street in downtown Crockett.
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I walked along this fairly narrow, winding two-lane road somewhat carefully as there were spots where space for pedestrians was very limited. Although having to walk on a tiny strip of gravel and asphalt, very close to the guardrail gave me the opportunity to enjoy some spray-painted stencil art ("We are the NRA") and one that warned those looking to dump garbage: "We will photograph you while dumping!"

Between trees were great views of Carquinez Strait far below. Tiny whitecaps were visible, but they seemed not to affect the occasional boat going by. Also visible down the hill: the trail (red line on map) running roughly parallel to this stretch of road.

Wildlife Sightings:
2 little brown jobs (LBJs); 1 turkey vulture

Carquinez Scenic Dr. - Feb. 5, 2011

Walking Distance: 2.0 mi. (estimate)
Walking Time: 49 min. (3:58 - 4:47 p.m.)
Start and End Point: unpaved shoulder, Carquinez Scenic Dr., Port Costa, CA

I've managed to break up Carquinez Scenic Drive (double yellow lines on map) into several smaller segments. Today was another one of those segments.

Today I walked a triangular shaped wedge -- starting with walking West on Carquinez Scenic Drive to Canyon Lake Drive. I took a Right turn onto Canyon Lake, North into Port Costa; then took a Right turn onto Reservoir St. (not shown on this small section of map), and took this winding, two-lane, tree-shaded road back up to Carquinez Scenic Drive.

I did indeed pass a reservoir, and could look down into it from the road. Ducks and a cormorant could be seen in the reservoir. However, signs posted indicated that all others should keep out. No diving, no jumping. And if you failed to get this message and are anywhere near the water, in capital letters at the bottom: LEAVE. (This means you.)

Reservoir St. turned into McEwen Road (double yellow lines on map) when it crossed Carquinez Scenic Drive. I continued on McEwen for about 1/4 mile before turning back and walking back to my car.

McEwen Road is a narrow, winding road with no setback areas for pedestrians in the top/Northern-most few miles -- and with blind curves to boot. I recommend wearing bright clothing, and walking this road during clear, daylight hours only.

While on McEwen Road, wearing my bright orange, nerd walker vest, I looked up to see some birds of prey circling. Not today I told them. I was teetering on the edge of the road to make sure I would not be in the way of any cars, trucks or motorcycles that passed by. I heard some rustling in the bushes down an embankment (near a small stream at the bottom of a ravine). It was a group of wild turkeys. I took a few pictures looking down, through tree branches; and what you see here is the result. A very bigfoot-like, blurry shot.

Wildlife Sightings:

Wildlife: 2 little brown jobs (LBJs); 6 ducks; 1 cormorant; 2 hawks; 1 turkey vulture; 2 hawks?; 3 wild turkeys; 5 moths.

Carquinez Scenic Drive, Part 3 - Jan. 31, 2011

Walking Distance: 3.0 mi. (estimate)
Walking Time: 1 hr., 21 min. (4:45 - 6:06 p.m.)
Start and End Point: unpaved shoulder, Carquinez Scenic Drive, near Port Costa, CA

I walked (NW to SE) on Carquinez Scenic Drive (about 1/4 mi. SE from the intersection with McEwen Road).

This two-lane, winding road (shown as double yellow line on the right side of the map) had several pull-out areas, and a reasonable shoulder to walk on for pedestrians, compared to the top of McEwen Road nearby -- which, sadly, I may have to skip for safety reasons.

I passed what I'm guessing is the old brickyard that I'd read about -- at the beginning of the closed section of Carquinez Scenic Drive. These were the only buildings I saw - except for a quick view of  Port Costa below, at the beginning of the walk.

I continued to walk in the closed area of Carquinez Scenic Drive and, after reaching a point where I'd left off last week, I turned around and walked back the same way that I'd come.

Scenic views of the Carquinez Strait (in many directions), and of the railroad tracks (and passing trains below) were memorable parts of this walk.

Wildlife Sightings:
16 little brown jobs (LBJs); 2 doves; sounds of lots of frogs, but no sightings

Carquinez Scenic Dr. - Jan. 23, '11

Walking Distance: 6.2 miles (estimate)
Walking Time: 2 hrs., 31 min. (2:53 - 5:24 p.m.)
Start and End Point: unpaved shoulder Carquinez Scenic Drive, West of Nejedly Staging Area parking lot, Martinez, CA

It was a beautiful, sunny winter day for walking Carquinez Scenic Drive, a winding, paved road with great views of the Carquinez Strait and the railroad tracks below (shown as double yellow lines closest to water on Bay Trail map).

This road is closed to cars in a long section (where we walked today). In this closed stretch are a few spots where parts of the road have washed away, so it's easy to see why car traffic has been banned. Several days of dry weather previous to today's walk meant dry ground on the very few unpaved spots.

Oak trees hang in the air above the road on the south side, providing areas of shade and dappled light. And there are plenty of other interesting sights and sounds -- e.g., paintings on the road and a few small caves (access is blocked off, but they're visible from the road), and one or two unfortunate wrecked cars that had gone off the road in years past -- stopped from tumbling all the way down the steep embankment and onto the train tracks by trees and bushes. We also heard the sounds of frogs, and passing trains far below.

While we didn't see the frogs, they appeared to be coming from spots in and amongst the oak trees. I had no clue there might be tree frogs in the San Francisco Bay Area. Most frogs disappeared many years ago in the very developed area where I live. As I've said before, there hasn't been a day I've walked the Bay Trail where I didn't see or learn something new. This, after living in the Bay Area for many years.

This also appeared to be one of the better, longer dog-friendly walks with Bay views. We saw many owners taking their dogs for a walk (or vice versa) today.

Wildlife Sightings:
9 little brown jobs (LBJs); 2 mockingbirds; 2 blue jays; 1 turkey vulture; 1 large, dark mystery bird (osprey or California Condor?) - dark with white markings flying over water/cliffs.

Note: For more information on this walk, see also "Walk About Martinez" write-up by The Patch columnist, Scott Williams (Jan. 1, 2011).

Carquinez Scenic Dr. - Jan. 9, '11

Walking Distance: 1.2 miles
Walking Time: 25 min. (3:40 - 4:05 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Parked on Carquinez Scenic Drive, Martinez, CA

It took me a while to find the start of Carquinez Scenic Drive (shown as double yellow line on left side of map) -- a winding road with views of the Carquinez Strait, Benicia, the Benicia-Martinez bridge, and downtown Martinez. The road runs West from the West end of downtown Martinez, and is well named.

The road passes by two cemeteries (that are fenced off from passerbys). And, if you'll look closely at the picture at right, you'll notice that the fencing did not stop a few deer from wandering through and paying their respects.

Wildlife Sightings:
1 mockingbird; 1 little brown job (LBJ); 1 domestic cat; 2 deer in cemetery.