The News Blog is a place where updates to the guidebooks are posted. It is also a repository for news and information related to the state and national parks of the Bay Area, including upcoming events, benefits, and rallies to support our parks.
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Current News Blog page:
July 2010
News Blog Archive:
June 2010 | May 2010 | April 2010 | March 2010 | February 2010 | January 2010 | December 2009 | November 2009 | October 2009
November 26, 2009
Thanksgiving morning, a good time to reflect on some reasons to be thankful. The sight of Mount Tamalpais rising above the bay. Even when I am not there, I feel comfort in knowing that just a short distance away are redwood forests, spacious meadows, deep canyons filled with rushing waterfalls, hummingbirds flitting around the manzanita bushes. The world may be filled with war, recession (Great Depression 2.0), corruption, hatred and intolerance, but there is always solace in the natural world. Sitting on a rock, or under the canopy of the forest, listening to the orchestra of birds, feeling a breeze, seems like all is not lost. Thank you.
November 20, 2009
One of the most exciting things about the parks in the Bay Area is the abundance of wildlife. During a short stroll along Crissy Field in the Presidio yesterday, I was able to spot a number of large sea lions swimming just offshore. The one in the picture to the right seems to be gazing off at the city, wondering what is going on there. Flocks of pelicans flew in formation overhead, along with seagulls, black cormorants, and dozens of other seabirds that I couldn't even identify.
Wildlife manages to survive in this urban environment, largely because we have such a rich (although threatened) network of parks and open spaces. It's a common sight to see coyotes in the Presidio, the Marin Headlands, and even occasionally in Golden Gate Park. Deer, raccoons, skunks, foxes, and rabbits all coexist with the seven million of us humans who inhabit the Bay Area. Even the elusive mountain lion makes his presence known from time to time. This is a good thing, even though the deer may munch on our gardens, the raccoons rummage through our trash, the mountain lions can be dangerous (although rarely), and the skunks are just nasty.
It's great to see the Presidio being transformed into a National Park, even though that means a few years of dealing with construction-related traffic delays, and all the noise and disruption that goes with it. The preservation of wild and open spaces is critical to the creatures that manage to live in the metropolis, and also to the overall environment. Every creature on this planet has a purpose here. If we care about our own preservation, we should work to protect the places that connect us with the wilderness, restore our sanity, and provide us with recreation and exercise.
November 18, 2009
The Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation is in the running for a Facebook/Chase joint philanthropic giving contest that is designed to support organizations with budgets of less than $10 million. Go to the Chase Community Giving on Facebook page, enter Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation in the "Enter you Charity" box, click "Allow" on the Allow Access page, and click on the Vote button. Chase will award 100 $25,000 grants nationwide, based on the number of votes received on Facebook.
November 11, 2009
Ceremonies were held today at the San Francisco National Cemetery in the Presidio, as part of the observance of Veteran's Day. The occasion also marked the dedication of a new scenic overlook, at the top of the hill in the southern corner of the cemetery. The place has a stunning beauty that combines the somber sight of the rows of military graves, each marked with a white tombstone, and the backdrop of San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge. So many veterans returned home by passing through the Golden Gate, the overlook offers an appropriate place for reflection and remembrance.
November 4, 2009
The California State Parks Foundation has filed papers to place the California State Parks and Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund Act of 2010 on the ballot in November 2010. They will soon be launching a petition drive for this measure, a program to provide free access to state parks for California residents, through an $18 increase in the Vehicle License Fee. Not only will the measure provide free access to the parks, it will guarantee a steady reliable funding source for our parks, preventing them from becoming a political football during times of economic crisis.
Support our state parks and sign the petition when it becomes available! Sign up to help gather signatures to qualify this measure for the ballot. Spread the word to friends and fellow lovers of our state parks.
November 3, 2009
Sunrise at Crissy Field in the Presidio this morning was beautiful. The full moon was still shining bright, directly above the Golden Gate Bridge, and then the sun came up and transformed the bridge into a glowing work of art. The restoration of Crissy Field over the past few years is also a work of art. I used to ride my bike along here, back when the Presidio was still an Army base, and this whole area had an abandoned industrial feel to. It was also deserted - I always had the place to myself.
This morning at 6:30 AM there were already several hundred people walking along the beach and the Promenade, jogging, walking their dogs, biking. In spite of the loss of solitude, I love the new front yard of San Francisco. The restoration of native plants and the tidal lagoon is dramatic, the wide sweeping meadows make for a great gathering spot, and there seem to be more pelicans, cormorants, and other seabirds flying overhead.
In the big meadow, I came upon this unique piece of art by Carrie Nardello, entitled Flower Power. The plaque below encourages citizens to preserve green spaces, and describes the work as a "...fun, bright and positive call to action - with a nostalgic nod to 1960s San Francisco, which led the country's social and political movement of that time."
I continued on to Fort Point and watched the waves crashing against the shore, in the spot where Jimmy Stewart rescues Kim Novak in Hitchcock's Vertigo. All in all a beautiful morning, and a great hike. Looks like our springlike weather is about to cool down soon, so I won't have as many opportunities for a hike like this.
November 2, 2009
¡Feliz Día de los Muertos, amigos! The Bay Bridge reopened this morning, after six days of nightmare traffic and me wanting to crawl into a cave and hide. I've been wanting to work on my upcoming Presidio guidebook, but have been avoiding the Golden Gate Bridge and Doyle Drive - the whole area has been a parking lot much of the time. Instead, I got up early this morning and took off for Pirate's Cove in the Marin Headlands. An old smuggler's hideaway during Prohibition, Pirate's Cove is still secluded and spectacular.
This is one of my favorite trails in the Bay Area, with dramatic coastline, crashing surf, and lots of small places to sit, relax, and read a book or stare in awe at the beautiful landscape in front of me. Today was especially beautiful, with sunny skies and temperatures in the 70s - didn't expect to need sunscreen in November. I took a roundabout way to get to Pirate's Cove, going up the Miwok Trail out of Tennessee Valley, on to the top of Coyote Ridge, and then down toward Muir Beach. The view from the Coastal Trail on the way back is pictured here, some of the finest coastal hiking in California.
HOLIDAY OFFER FOR NEWS BLOG READERS
Valid through December 31, 2009
Use this code to get $2.00 off any guidebook order from Way Out There Press: 1259268465
Enter the code on the Shopping Cart page and click on the Apply Coupon button
Current News Blog page:
July 2010
News Blog Archive:
June 2010 | May 2010 | April 2010 | March 2010 | February 2010 | January 2010 | December 2009 | November 2009 | October 2009
November 26, 2009
Thanksgiving morning, a good time to reflect on some reasons to be thankful. The sight of Mount Tamalpais rising above the bay. Even when I am not there, I feel comfort in knowing that just a short distance away are redwood forests, spacious meadows, deep canyons filled with rushing waterfalls, hummingbirds flitting around the manzanita bushes. The world may be filled with war, recession (Great Depression 2.0), corruption, hatred and intolerance, but there is always solace in the natural world. Sitting on a rock, or under the canopy of the forest, listening to the orchestra of birds, feeling a breeze, seems like all is not lost. Thank you.
November 20, 2009One of the most exciting things about the parks in the Bay Area is the abundance of wildlife. During a short stroll along Crissy Field in the Presidio yesterday, I was able to spot a number of large sea lions swimming just offshore. The one in the picture to the right seems to be gazing off at the city, wondering what is going on there. Flocks of pelicans flew in formation overhead, along with seagulls, black cormorants, and dozens of other seabirds that I couldn't even identify.
Wildlife manages to survive in this urban environment, largely because we have such a rich (although threatened) network of parks and open spaces. It's a common sight to see coyotes in the Presidio, the Marin Headlands, and even occasionally in Golden Gate Park. Deer, raccoons, skunks, foxes, and rabbits all coexist with the seven million of us humans who inhabit the Bay Area. Even the elusive mountain lion makes his presence known from time to time. This is a good thing, even though the deer may munch on our gardens, the raccoons rummage through our trash, the mountain lions can be dangerous (although rarely), and the skunks are just nasty.
It's great to see the Presidio being transformed into a National Park, even though that means a few years of dealing with construction-related traffic delays, and all the noise and disruption that goes with it. The preservation of wild and open spaces is critical to the creatures that manage to live in the metropolis, and also to the overall environment. Every creature on this planet has a purpose here. If we care about our own preservation, we should work to protect the places that connect us with the wilderness, restore our sanity, and provide us with recreation and exercise.
November 18, 2009
The Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation is in the running for a Facebook/Chase joint philanthropic giving contest that is designed to support organizations with budgets of less than $10 million. Go to the Chase Community Giving on Facebook page, enter Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation in the "Enter you Charity" box, click "Allow" on the Allow Access page, and click on the Vote button. Chase will award 100 $25,000 grants nationwide, based on the number of votes received on Facebook.
November 11, 2009
Ceremonies were held today at the San Francisco National Cemetery in the Presidio, as part of the observance of Veteran's Day. The occasion also marked the dedication of a new scenic overlook, at the top of the hill in the southern corner of the cemetery. The place has a stunning beauty that combines the somber sight of the rows of military graves, each marked with a white tombstone, and the backdrop of San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge. So many veterans returned home by passing through the Golden Gate, the overlook offers an appropriate place for reflection and remembrance.
November 4, 2009
The California State Parks Foundation has filed papers to place the California State Parks and Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund Act of 2010 on the ballot in November 2010. They will soon be launching a petition drive for this measure, a program to provide free access to state parks for California residents, through an $18 increase in the Vehicle License Fee. Not only will the measure provide free access to the parks, it will guarantee a steady reliable funding source for our parks, preventing them from becoming a political football during times of economic crisis.
Support our state parks and sign the petition when it becomes available! Sign up to help gather signatures to qualify this measure for the ballot. Spread the word to friends and fellow lovers of our state parks.
November 3, 2009Sunrise at Crissy Field in the Presidio this morning was beautiful. The full moon was still shining bright, directly above the Golden Gate Bridge, and then the sun came up and transformed the bridge into a glowing work of art. The restoration of Crissy Field over the past few years is also a work of art. I used to ride my bike along here, back when the Presidio was still an Army base, and this whole area had an abandoned industrial feel to. It was also deserted - I always had the place to myself.
This morning at 6:30 AM there were already several hundred people walking along the beach and the Promenade, jogging, walking their dogs, biking. In spite of the loss of solitude, I love the new front yard of San Francisco. The restoration of native plants and the tidal lagoon is dramatic, the wide sweeping meadows make for a great gathering spot, and there seem to be more pelicans, cormorants, and other seabirds flying overhead.
In the big meadow, I came upon this unique piece of art by Carrie Nardello, entitled Flower Power. The plaque below encourages citizens to preserve green spaces, and describes the work as a "...fun, bright and positive call to action - with a nostalgic nod to 1960s San Francisco, which led the country's social and political movement of that time."
I continued on to Fort Point and watched the waves crashing against the shore, in the spot where Jimmy Stewart rescues Kim Novak in Hitchcock's Vertigo. All in all a beautiful morning, and a great hike. Looks like our springlike weather is about to cool down soon, so I won't have as many opportunities for a hike like this.
November 2, 2009¡Feliz Día de los Muertos, amigos! The Bay Bridge reopened this morning, after six days of nightmare traffic and me wanting to crawl into a cave and hide. I've been wanting to work on my upcoming Presidio guidebook, but have been avoiding the Golden Gate Bridge and Doyle Drive - the whole area has been a parking lot much of the time. Instead, I got up early this morning and took off for Pirate's Cove in the Marin Headlands. An old smuggler's hideaway during Prohibition, Pirate's Cove is still secluded and spectacular.
This is one of my favorite trails in the Bay Area, with dramatic coastline, crashing surf, and lots of small places to sit, relax, and read a book or stare in awe at the beautiful landscape in front of me. Today was especially beautiful, with sunny skies and temperatures in the 70s - didn't expect to need sunscreen in November. I took a roundabout way to get to Pirate's Cove, going up the Miwok Trail out of Tennessee Valley, on to the top of Coyote Ridge, and then down toward Muir Beach. The view from the Coastal Trail on the way back is pictured here, some of the finest coastal hiking in California.