Streblow Drive, Napa - Aug. 7, 2010

Walking Distance: 2.6 miles
Walking Time: 54 min. (7:08 - 8:02 p.m.)
Start and Stop Point: Unpaved, gravel parking area, ("Formal Garden" sign), picnic area, Napa College area, close to intersection of Streblow and Roy Patrick Drive, Napa, CA

Streblow Drive runs West-East (shown as a purple line on map, above right) and forms the Western half of the River-to-Ridge Trail which is roughly perpendicular to the Bay Trail. This trail is bisected by Highway 221 (double yellow lines on map). I walked the Western half of the River-to-Ridge trail, i.e. the River-to-Highway 221 portion. It was a pleasure to see so many birds near the Napa River and at the large pond area (that played host to many ducks and geese).

I first walked West to the Napa River, and then turned around and walked East - until I came to Highway 221. After crossing Highway 221, to see where the "Ridge" portion of the trail started, and what it looked like (see picture, below right), I turned around and walked back to the car.


Wildlife Sightings:
53 little brown jobs (LBJs)/songbirds; 9 Canada geese; 9 crows; 4 sea gulls; 10 pigeons; 13 white-fronted geese; 25 ducks; 2 white geese; 1 black-crowned night heron flying overhead; 1 blur in bushes; 6 robins

Imola Ave. to Highway 221, Napa - Aug. 7, 2010

Walking Distance: 1.0 mile
Walking Time: 25 min. (6:29 - 6:54 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Shopping center parking lot, near Imola Ave. W. and South Napa Market Place, Napa, CA

This was a relatively urban stretch of trail and as I made the turn south, from Imola Ave. onto Highway 221, I found myself having to get used to cars whooshing by me at high speeds again. 

After fortifying myself with a meal at In-N-Out Burger, I walked West on Imola, toward the Maxwell Bridge (that spanned the Napa River), until I reached the intersection (traffic light) with Gasser Dr.-- my end point from a previous walk. I then turned around and walked East on Imola Ave.

From Imola, I turned Right onto Highway 221. Soon after, I passed the entrance to Napa State hospital and a bus stop structure that had seen better days, before turning around and heading back to Imola Ave. Across the way, I could see the buildings for Napa Valley College.

Wildlife Sightings: 1 hawk

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)

Highway 121/Carneros Highway - Aug. 2, 2010

Walking Distance: 1.6 miles
Walking Time: 36 min. (5:05 - 5:41 p.m.)
Start and End Point: unpaved shoulder, along Highway 121, near intersection with Old Sonoma Rd., Napa, CA

This short walk was a "close-the-gap" segment. The gap, in this case, was along Highway 121 (represented by double yellow lines on the bit of map shown above right). I walked as far east as Los Carneros Ave. (at the right edge of the map) near The Carneros Inn turn-off, and as far west as Duhig Road (left edge of map).

Fortunately, the shoulder was fairly generous along most of this stretch; although I was a bit nervous walking along a short stretch before Duhig Road. Unfortunately, I saw another recently dead barn owl by the side of the highway. Perhaps this was the mate to the first one I saw earlier today, on Cuttings Wharf Road. In any case, I paid close attention to the fast-moving traffic, as I had no desire to share the owl's fate.


There was some road construction going on near Duhig Road; but today the construction crew were starting to pave over the area that had been dug up. So, this area should be good as new fairly soon. The Domaine Carneros winery (also referenced in July 28, '10 post), is located at the intersection of Duhig Road and Highway 121. This time I ventured up the steps to buy some chocolate in their gift shop. No wine this time. I've included two pictures looking out from their deck, toward the bit of road where I was walking. (It's the least I could do after talking about the deceased owls.)

Wildlife Sightings:
4 Canada geese; 2 little brown jobs (LBJs); 1 (another) recently dead barn owl; a few blurs in the bushes (probably lizards); and 1 tennis ball perched on a drainage grate.

Cuttings Wharf Rd. - Route 121, Aug. 2, 2010

Walking Distance: 3.5 mi. (1.3 mi. + 2.2 mi.; 2 segments)
Walking Time: 1 hr., 25 min. (2:13 - 2:36 p.m.; and 2:50 - 3:52 p.m.)
Start and End Point: unpaved side of Cuttings Wharf Road, Napa, CA

This afternoon I walked the upper (northern-most) part of Cuttings Wharf Road, in Napa. Along the way, I passed by vineyards, a "Pet Resort," a few horses and ponies in a pasture, and some abandoned buildings near the intersection of Cuttings Wharf and Route/Highway 121. It was a pleasant day for the beginning of August. Thankfully, it has been a relatively cool summer so far.

All was rosy until I saw the owl...

A note about roadkill: Unfortunately, walking along busy roads with lots of fast-moving cars means seeing dead birds and animals occasionally. This afternoon, I spotted a recently deceased barn owl. It was a sad sight, but a beautiful bird; so I'm making an exception and I'm including a picture here. A good reminder to drive carefully if possible.

Wildlife Sightings:
3 little brown jobs (LBJs); 13 butterflies (11 white); 5 dragonflies; 2 mockingbirds; many blurs in the grass/bushes (probably lizards); 2 horses and 2 ponies; 1 crow; 1 turkey vulture; 2 lizards; 1 barn owl (deceased).