Franklin Canyon Rd., Martinez (Part 3) - Jan. 21, '11

Walking Distance: 5.6 mi. (estimate)
Walking Time: 1 hr., 8 min. (4:32 - 5:40 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Side of the road, unpaved area, Franklin Canyon Rd., Martinez, CA

I was able to leave work just in time to catch the last hour of sunlight, to finish (Part 3 of 3) Franklin Canyon Road. The only problem with walking in a canyon late in the day is that while it was beautiful and peaceful, it gets darker sooner. The sun had set behind one of the hills.

That said, I started to emerge from the deepest recesses of the oak tree filled Franklin Canyon Road as I walked West toward where McEwen Road intersects with Franklin Canyon Road.

Along the way, I spotted some abandoned chairs (maybe they went with the abandoned couch I saw yesterday?). I have included both chairs and couches in my "wildlife tally" on this site, and you may notice that some man-made item sightings outnumber certain bird and animal views.

When I walk, I notice things like road furniture -- and also memorials for those who are no longer with us. Some of these memorials are very tiny, and some are quite large. These personal and often moving tributes are a reminder to the living to make good use of the time they have on this planet.

In the meantime, I'm here walking with the cows -- a few of which were mooing at me from over a fence and across the stream as I walked by on the road. Cows are not used to seeing pedestrians I've found, and they may find walkers disturbing. Either that, or they're hoping that a human means they might be fed. Someone will have to explain all this to me some day. In the meantime, I just wave at them nicely. And, I'm stopping to look at all the acorns still on the ground. Do cows eat acorns? I'll have to research this when I have time.

Wildlife Sightings

1 hubcap, 3 cows, 6 chairs, 1 little brown job (LBJ), 1 rusty screw, 1 ball

Franklin Canyon Rd., Martinez (Part 2) - Jan. 20, '11

Walking Distance: 2.8 mi. (estimate)
Walking Time: 43 min. (1:05 - 1:48 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Side of the Road, unpaved area, East of Cottage Garden Plants Nursery, Martinez, CA

I enjoyed continuing to walk along oak-shaded Franklin Canyon Road this afternoon. The sun was out and it was very pleasant to hear a stream nearby.

This gently winding, rural road was located between the stream mentioned above (and Highway 4, John Muir Parkway, further up a hill) to the North of the road -- and railroad tracks to the South of the road. Twice, trains passed closeby through thickets of oak and other trees. (One is pictured at right.)

A relatively broad setback meant that I felt comfortable walking on this road, even though the occasional cars and pickup trucks were passing by at 45 - 50 miles per hour.

However, bicycle riders should watch for small rocks that have rolled downhill from the hills onto the road in a few spots.

And, for animal lovers, you may catch glimpses of both regular-sized and miniature horses, llamas, cows, and some local birds between the tree branches.

Wildlife Sightings:
8 horses, 2 llamas, 2 miniature horses, 11 little brown jobs (LBJs), 1 turkey vulture, and 1 abandoned couch

Franklin Canyon Rd., Martinez - Jan. 16, '11

Walking Distance: 3.6 miles (estimate)
Walking Time: 1 hr., 21 min. (1:25 - 2:46 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Public parking lot near park/trailhead, Franklin Canyon Rd. and Alhambra Ave. (just to the South of Highway 4); Martinez, CA

Franklin Canyon Road is a quiet, semi-rural, gently winding road that is just south of, and roughly parallel to, Highway 4 (John Muir Parkway). In at least one spot, to the south of this road, you may also see a train rumble by.


Today was an overcast Sunday, early afternoon, and cool enough for a jacket and hat. I walked West on Franklin Canyon Road as far as 2500 Franklin Canyon Road -- a place I nicknamed the "candy cane" house. In addition to a row of candy canes in front of the house, there was a small plaque explaining the origins of the candy cane.

I passed by houses -- some with yards large enough for a few horses, cows or goats. Fortunately, the only dogs I saw were behind closed gates. I always feel relieved when I see these gates, knowing that there
will probably not be any well-meaning dogs charging out onto the public road, intent on protecting what they might feel is their property.

January winter weather generally means gray days and limited spots of color. My eye was drawn to bright green grass and moss; evergreen trees; and bright red berries. Even brightly colored bits of broken glass on the road stand out more than they would otherwise. I also enjoyed seeing small daffodils starting to poke up through the dirt. This is one reason why I continue to live in California; these small glimpses of Spring appear so much earlier than in most other parts of the country.