Fremont Dr., 8th St. E. to Ramal Rd. - July 11, 2010

Walking Distance: 4.26 miles (2 segments combined)
Walking Time(s):
1.) 49 min. (7:01 - 7:50 p.m.)
2.) 38 min. (7:57 - 8:35 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Parking near The Fremont Diner, 2698 Fremont Drive, Sonoma, CA

From The Fremont Diner, I walked west on Fremont Drive, to 8th Street East, passing a dairy along the way (see image of one of the two cow figures that were stationed at the dairy entrance). Then I walked back (east) to South Central Ave.


I'd planned to eat at The Fremont Diner (with the old truck parked in front, at the intersection of Fremont and South Central Ave.), but diner hours were 7 a.m. (breakfast) to 3 p.m.; so I'll have to plan a return visit, earlier in the day next time. 

So, I decided to do a second walk, by continuing down South Central Ave. I took a left turn on Dale Ave., then a right on Ramal Rd., before returning back to the car. While Fremont Dr. was quite scenic, it also had quite a bit of car traffic. It was nice to wander down quieter roads.

One of the first interesting things I saw when I turned down S. Central Ave. was a large, golden-colored alligator lizard stretched across the road. (See image at right.) There were also the sounds of crickets and birds than I haven't heard much on the highways where I've been walking lately in Sonoma. Those sounds in the grass were nice.

Wildlife Sightings:
5 blackbirds; 37 little brown jobs (LBJs)/songbirds; 10 little black and white cows; 3 swallows; 1 mockingbird; 3 doves; 1 golden-colored California alligator lizard; 12 sheep in distant pasture; 1 domestic cat; 1 crow; and 1 rusty screw.

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.

Fremont Drive (Highway 121), Sonoma, CA - July 3, 2010

Walking Distance:  .97 mile
Walking Time: 19 min. (8:01 - 8:20 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Side of the road on 8th Street E., near intersection with Fremont Dr., Sonoma, CA

I didn't quite finish this stretch of Fremont Drive (from 8th St., E. to Arnold Drive). Because it was getting dark, I had to quit where Fremont splits, near Broadway.

Pictured at right is what looked to be an abandoned building, near an old railroad crossing.


Note: Some portions of Fremont Drive (from 8th St. E. to Broadway) do not have areas that are wide enough for safe walking. Shown is an area with a wider shoulder area, but the area is soft dirt and overgrown grass in places.


Wildlife Sightings:
20 little brown jobs (LBJs); 1 farm cat crossing the road, on the way back to farmhouse. 

8th Street East, Highway 121, Sonoma - July 1, 2010

Walking Distance: 1.4 miles
Walking Time: 41 min. (8:04 - 8:45 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Roadside parking spot, on 8th St. East, Sonoma, CA

This evening I also walked north on 8th Street East, up from Fremont Drive (also known as Highway 121) -- past the Sonoma Valley Wastewater Treastment facility (with a large array of solar tracking panels) -- up to the intersection with Carneros Park Blvd., the entrance to Carneros Business Park. At this point, it was getting too dark to finish walking the complete length of 8th Street East, so I turned around to walk back toward my car.

On the way back I could see small clusters of green, unripe grapes (pictured) forming in the vineyard by the road.

The sun was setting by the time I reached my car. There were two hawks circling around above me and screeching.

 They may have been protecting a nest that could have been located in the very large row of eucalyptus trees next to my car. Trees are shown in photo at right; my tiny-looking silver car is parked at the base of the trees for perspective. Unfortunately, it was dark, and the images of the hawks (at right) are not very clear. But, I thought they were worth including.


Wildlife Sightings:

9 little brown jobs (LBJs)
2 blurs in the bushes
2 rusty screws
2 hawks, screeching and circling overhead

Hawks Circling