A lot of new experiences the past couple of days-been to 11 of CA’s 26 NPS units in the last week! Weather the past two days in the high 50s to low 60s, being overcast, and not at all my vision of CA. I’m typing this while in San Francisco by Fisherman’s Wharf. There are 5 street people begging in their own ways, 3 on one side of the street and 2 on the other. Interesting to watch- one is wrapped in a blanket and looking Like Jesus, Another is standing in a bent-over position holding a small poster that says, “Smile”. The other 3 are just out with hat/cup for donations to their cause. Hmmm.
John Muir, who is considered by some to be the “father of conservation” was quite an interesting person, and the first president of the Sierra Club. As a young man he had many worthy inventions but a metal chard damaged one eye. For months he kept it covered and, miraculously, it healed. He then went all over the place into the wilderness, especially Yosemite which he knew intimately. Perhaps I have a bit of that same traveling spirit in me. He did marry and have 2 daughters he loved and cherished. He authored books and wrote letters to gain support for conservation efforts. He loved the wilderness and being in it for long periods of time, which his wife encouraged. A strong character he was. Muir Woods is named to honor him and John Muir NHS is his homestead and museum/video of his life. Port of Chicago Naval magazine tells of a terribly unjust occurrence where a munitions explosion/fire took the lives of 320 and properties including ships. Worse was the sentencing to prison the navy workers who survived that would not return to work after the experience.
I was hoping to swim at Point Reyes, but the weather opposed it. The whales can be seen other times of year, but not now; much like the tidepools I wanted to see at Redwoods but the tides did not favor it while I was there. Must be meant for another time, as seeing Eugene O’Neill’s NHS which requires reservations, unless going on Saturday, and I was planning it on Sunday-oops.
I was under and on the Golden Gate Bridge, because Fort Point is actually under the bridge! The video at Ft Point was quite informative and the structure is still solid. This morning I greeted the sun peeking through heavy cloud cover. The San Francisco Maritime Natl Historic Park was a special treat as I got to walk in and on old ships doing the cell phone guided tour. Far greater a treat was to have a volunteer present his passion for a wonderful sailing ship that served 40 years longer than expected. She’s made of Douglas Fir and is being redone as close to her original design as is possible. She was never intended to be seafaring as she was made extremely wide; but, her first journey took her to sea and that continued. She hauled lumber the equivalent of 174 miles in length . She hauled salt and barrels to Alaska, I think, and then fisherman salted and put their salmon in barrels and delivered them. She worked for the Army as a barge for a time, also. And, she also used to take 30 fishermen out and carry their catches in her belly. She has a great energy about her that I felt as I walked about her and in her.
Rosie the Riveter NHP reminded me how our nation’s people worked together and sacrificed for the good of the WWII effort. Women worked on the Homefront at welding and other jobs they’d never done before while daycare extended to overnights, also, when needed. How resourceful they were!
Tomorrow I’ll be at Pinnacles experiencing and being wowed, I’m sure! I’m well over half the way through the 413 units managed by the Natl Park Service and loving the adventure-59% done. It’s 65% if I calculate based on the 373 units of the contiguous USA! Woohoo! Hoping your daily adventures bring you the joy you desire!
Now Is Heaven 
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