Miller/Knox, Keller Beach: April 11, 2011

Walking Distance: 4.4 mi.
Walking Time: 2 hrs., 54 min. (3:08- 6:02 p.m.)
Start and End Point: Public parking lot closest to Ferry Point, Knox-Miller Regional Shoreline Park, Richmond, CA

This afternoon's walk took place in the Point Richmond area. It was a beautiful, spring day, with just enough of a breeze to make for good-kite flying weather for a pirate ship aloft, or for taking a sailboat out on San Francisco Bay.

Thank you to Matt for joining me for today's Bay Trail adventure. We first walked out to Ferry Point and back, and then followed a path that hugged the shoreline until we reached the park's picnic grounds -- a large, green grassy area with a big pond and an island in the middle. There were lots of sea gulls, geese, ducks and other birds here on or near the pond, only occasionally being chased by a young child or dog.

From this area we followed Dornan Drive, roughly north, through the Ferry Point tunnel and into an interesting, historic part of Point Richmond on Richmond Avenue, past a pub, a cafe, an art gallery and many other interesting businesses, including an old railroad depot that had been brightly painted and transformed into a bank.

After returning through the tunnel, we walked up Western Drive (part of  what someone referred to as "the Point Richmond Riviera"), where residents on the Bay side of the street have panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay, the San Francisco skyline and three bridges. We then walked down to Keller Beach, a small strip of sandy, scenic beach with a small picnic area and a few benches.

After living far away, across the Bay, and hearing unfortunate television news reports about crime in Richmond for many years, it was wonderful to visit so many beautiful parts of Richmond during the past few weeks. Good planning and much effort went into making the waterfront areas and trail that we saw today.

To quote Bruce Beyaert, founder of TRAC (Trails for Richmond Action Committee): "... I urge all of you to go out and explore the Bay Trail in Richmond and discover the wondrous necklace of National, state, regional and local parks we have along our shoreline." I couldn't agree more.

On the way home, we revisited the Rosie the Riveter Memorial area and enjoyed a good, Italian dinner at Salute restaurant in Marina Bay. Tables by the windows offered views of boats in the harbor.

Wildlife Sightings:

4 Western grebes; 6 pigeons; 2 unidentified grebes/divers; 33 sea gulls; 14 Canada geese; 2 cormorants; 1 bluebird; 2 killdeer; 1 unidentified brownish shorebird (either a greater or lesser yellowlegs); 4 ducks; 5 coots; 1 turkey vulture; 2 fabric kites