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.

More Port Costa Pics - Feb. 1, 2011

I ran out of room for pictures on the previous post. Port Costa is one of those rare little finds that deserve a separate post. So, here are some pictures of Port Costa from today's (Feb. 1, 2011) walk. Port Costa is a small, historic town by the water (Carquinez Strait) that was founded in the 1800s. (That is very old by California standards.) Notable businesses include a Tavern, a Post Office, a Hotel, and a restaurant; and further up the road a church. Most of the houses that are part of this small settlement are along Canyon Lake Drive, where I walked today.

Eckley Pier - Port Costa - Feb. 1, 2011

Walking Distance: 2.9 miles (estimate)
Walking Time: 1 hr., 48 min. (2:25 - 4:13 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Public/Park parking lot, near Eckley Pier, Crockett Hills Regional Park; Crockett, CA

Down at the bottom of the hill from this Park entrance (Bull Valley Staging Area) is Eckley (Fishing) Pier. Note: You do have to open a gate and look both ways for trains before walking out to the pier. After walking out to the end of the pier, and trying not to disturb the handful of people fishing, I walked around the park a bit, then hiked up the road to Carquinez Scenic Drive -- and headed East on this winding, two-lane road.

The one house I remember passing had a great collection of small whimsical creatures perched on a fence, and peeking out over the top of this fence was a metal man in a rocket. Very creative.

A bit further on, I noticed some very large footprints in the mud (mountain lion). Hmm. For some reason, this caused me to look around at the areas of brush and trees, and to pick up a stick. (Note: a small stick would, I'm sure, do absolutely nothing against a mountain lion.) The cows nearby didn't seem to have any worries; so I won't either. I also saw deer and what looked to be raccoon tracks.

I passed by small areas with glossy mounds of bright green grass. When I reached Canyon Lake Drive, and walked down to the historic town of Port Costa, I heard someone comment to a friend that the green grass would not last for long.

This is true; however, I'm certainly enjoying the green this winter. Not that California winters near the coast are harsh; many trees are starting to bud and bloom already.

Wildlife Sightings: 

1 sea gull; 1 snowy egret; 2 blue jays; 28 little brown jobs (LBJs); 20 quail (two separate groups); 7 cows; 3 domestic cats; 2 white doves