Muir Woods National Monument

Went to Muir Woods National Monument on Saturday.

This forest was named in honor of John Muir, an explorer and naturalist who was one of the earliest environmental activists.

The land was donated in 1908 to the nation from William and Elizabeth Kent.

The land has Redwoods, Sequoia's, monster ferns and very large clover.
I took a 4 mile hike, which took me along the main trail, up (literally) the Ben Johnson trail and then across the Dipsea trail.
Dave had bought me a retractable walking stick for Christmas- that was the bomb!
I am so glad I had it, especially for the "UP" climb.


Although you can not see it here very well, at the "V" in the mountain,
you could see the Pacific Ocean.

Rain is badly needed here, and this is the rainy season, with less than normal rain fall but

it was wonderful to have such a beautiful day.

To lean more about Muir Woods go to www.nps.gov/muwo

Sausilito and SF Bay Bridge at Night

Downtown Sausilito is like a lot of other quaint towns around the bay area.

Great little shop, art and photo galleries, and of course fantastic eateries.

The day was beautiful, so the streets were hoppin!

This was a great little Italian kitchen and wine shop.

I could have spent an hour here, but made myself leave.

Ate on the waterfront, restaurant was called Horizons.

As you can see the meal was as pretty as it was good.

Shrimp, lobster, mussels, clams, and crab.

With a good clam chowder and Gordon Biersch, who could ask for more!

There was a glass wall between the dining area and the bay- guess this little guy decided it wasn't fair. He wanted his share as well. There was a little 2 year old at the table close to the window, needless to say she was delighted when the seagull showed up. He did eventually fly off but came back about five minutes later. Made for a special event that is for sure.

Leaving Sausilito and crossing the Golden Gate Bridge, the only way to highway 101 is through San Francisco. So it was stop and go for awhile, a lit of traffic. But the one advantage that I had was that it was getting to be dusk and I was stopped at a light that showed the Bay Bridge in all it's glory and lights.