Thanksgiving 2025

Greetings to my fellow gardeners, family and friends! Hope you are planning for some kind of gathering with good eats, whether a bowl of soup with a friend, an eclectic Friendsgiving celebration, or a large family dinner with all the fixings. These gatherings will look different for all of us, depending on individuals, families, nationalities, cultures, and season of life.

Roasting vegetables for a good harvest soup

This is also a good time for making a gratitude list (especially when life circumstances seem a little bleak). There is typically something to be grateful for, and often more than you expected when you started the list. Family, friends, shelter, something to eat, good books, nature, wildlife, pets, good memories, life lessons, talents, interests, hobbies, and more are on my list. I've found that sometimes I can even be grateful for hard times and painful life lessons, with hindsight and the perspective of time.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

Field Notes for November 2025

Welcome back to Field Notes!

November 1, 2025

It's time for my annual activity of making a fall arrangement, using plant material collected from our yard. I especially like to use grasses, dried leaves, seed pods, and dead branches or sticks. This one has a little bit of color, because of the liquid amber leaves.

Fall arrangement from our yard

November 3, 2025

Meet Bobo the Husky! Our family adopted this five year old husky, and our lives have been upended ever since. We're still getting to know each other. He's pretty rambunctious and opinionated, like all huskies. One of his passions is food, and another is neighborhood squirrels and cats. I'm looking forward to taking Bobo on Over-the-Hill Gang hikes eventually, but that day is a ways off!

Bobo the Husky

Bobo has a squirrel in his sites!
 (click photo to enlarge)

November 6, 2025

Mari and I joined the Over-the-Hills-Gang hike to Carquinez Straits Regional Shoreline this week (our hiking buddy, Gaymond, is in South Korea). This was a new hike for us, situated between the town of Crockett and the hillsides overlooking Martinez, and across Carquinez Strait from Benicia. It is also very close to the Radke Martinez Regional Shoreline to the East, which we visited back in March (see the Field Notes for March 2025 entry for March 15). The railroad tracks run along the shore in this area for periodic trainspotting.

 

Heading out from the Port Costa Staging Area
(photo by Mari)

View of Benicia across Carquinez Strait

Shoreline along Carquinez Strait

Anthony Fisher was our fearless group leader, sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm for nature as well as delicious cookies at the half-way point (Oreos this time)!

Hiking along the wide walking and bike path through the hills

California Buckeye tree with a bumper crop

A couple of caves on the hillside

A train comes into view by the shore

After the hike, Mari and I went in pursuit of lunch. We first tried The Warehouse Cafe in nearby Port Casa, but they were closed. We ended up at Crockett Cocina in Crockett, CA. Our delicious lunch plates and good conversation were the perfect ending for a wonderful hike!

Intrepid hikers overlooking Carquinez Straits (photo by Mari)

November 8, 2025

While on the Over-the-Hills-Gang hike to Carquinez Straits Regional Shoreline this week, we got to see several interesting mushrooms. Hike leader Anthony Fisher is a an expert at spotting mushrooms and lichens on these hikes, and frequently dashes into the forest to take a look at a specimen that the rest of us didn't even notice. Thanks to our periodic fall rains here in the Bay Area, local mushrooms have ideal growing conditions. Following are several interesting specimens.

A few mushrooms along Carquinez Strait

Here's what I learned:

• Top row: Dead Man's Foot (Pisolithus arhizus) – someone placed a circle of stones around the one on the left. Native American and Australian tribal artists use this as a dye source for rich browns, golds, and oranges, on protein fibers (it is not always successful on cellulose fibers).

• Middle row,  left: unknown (possibly Bolete spp.), which is covered with white mold.

• Middle row, right: Blue Staining Bolete (examples include Gyroporus cyanescens, Boletus sensibilis, and Rubroboletus pulcherrimus). When the mushroom is bruised or cut, it "bleeds" blue. This indicates the oxidation of certain chemicals in the mushroom's flesh after it has been injured. Most species are highly toxic and should not be eaten.

• Bottom row, left: Blue Staining Bolete mushroom on its side. Enlarge the photo to see several blue streaks that indicate bruising or cutting.

• Bottom row, right: Blue Staining Bolete stipe (the stems are bleeding blue). My quick research indicates that the blue is not a dye source. But it does make me reflect on how indigo dye oxidizes from green to blue, thanks to fermentation. More research is needed!

November 10, 2025

While seeking lunch at The Warehouse Cafe in Port Casa, we had a chance to explore the small former port at the end of Canyon Lake Drive. According to Wikipedia, Port Costa was established in 1879 as a railroad ferry landing for the transcontinental railroad. It quickly grew into the busiest port on the West Coast, primarily exporting wheat. The town's boom, driven by its role as a grain shipping hub, lasted until after World War I and attracted thousands of sailors, stevedores, and railroad workers.

Theatre of Dreams

Bull Valley Roadhouse with its distinctive gold bull over the door

Burlington Hotel

The vintage buildings are so charming (I love that Victorian era architecture). The entrance to the Crystal Garden shop looked very appealing, but it too was closed. I got the impression that most of the action in Port Costa happens on the weekend!

Entrance to the Crystal Garden (photo by Mari)

Crystal Garden

View of Carquinez Strait and Benicia from Port Costa

Fires frequently swept through warehouses, destroying grain as well as buildings. According to signage, the current warehouse was built in 1886 by G. W. McNear as the first fireproof building in Contra Costa County, and was used to store wheat, hay, and potatoes. The building still stands and now houses The Warehouse Cafe. To learn more about the appealing port, see History of Port Costa.

History of the warehouse

Inside the eclectic and fireproof warehouse
(photo by Mari)

November 14, 2025

After recent fall rains, mushrooms have been popping up all over our yard, especially under the oak tree. The Boletus spp. is especially prominent. The gills are a lovely shade of yellowy-green. I'm wondering if they'd yield a dye.

Possibly Porcini or Penny Bun (Boletus edulis)

Would the yellowy-green gills produce a dye?

November 16, 2025

Bobo the Husky has been with us for about three and a half weeks now. He enjoys watching over the garden, food, long walks, dogs and people, belly rubs, and being part of the action. We've had a few mishaps in the garden, so we're striving to "dog proof" the yard (sometimes, it is more important to adapt than stick to the original plan)!

Bobo mischief

November 19, 2025

With cooler weather, we're pulling out some of our favorite fall recipes. Roast vegetables and chicken and dumplings are perfect for hearty meals the temperature drops and the storm clouds roll in.

Roast vegetables - healthy and tasty

Chicken and dumplings - fall comfort food

November 22, 2025

For this week's Over-the-Hills Gang hike, we met at Martin Luther King Jr. Shoreline located on San Leandro Bay and close to Oakland, Alameda, and San Leandro (near the Oakland International Airport). Mari, Gaymond and I carpooled, and met the group at the Observation Tower (lots of parking and restrooms). As you know, I love a good shoreline hike. This was my first time at the park, and it is a treasure!

The Observation Tower provides an elevated view of the wetlands

View of Alameda Island, the Bay Bridge, and San Francisco

The backside of Oakland Airport in the distance

In 1998, the wetlands were restored, and today the thriving ecosystem attracts local and migrating birds. This is a prime spot for birders of all experience levels, and many on our hike came armed with scopes, binoculars, and cameras. Several trails run along the shoreline, with great views of San Francisco and Sutro Tower, and access to picnic areas, fishing spots, and a kayak/canoe launch. It pays to get familiar with the map, so you  an access the staging area that meets your birding or recreational needs. We stopped at one of the picnic tables for our half-way cookie break.

Wide paths and bridges provide access to prime bird watching

Bird watching

Scopes really boost viewing power

Lemon and ginger cookie break at the halfway point

Mari, Gaymond, and I ended the hike at Dragon Rouge Bistro in Alameda for s delicious Vietnamese lunch. Check the East Bay Regional Park District website to learn more about upcoming events. Bring a friend or come solo, and join a wonderful group of 55+ hikers.

Intrepid hikers, and fledgling birders (photo by Gaymond)

November 26, 2025

The Martin Luther King Jr. Shoreline park is a great place for bird watching. The wetlands are a fly zone for migrating birds, and attract local birds as well. On our recent hike, we saw ducks, grebes, stilts, herons, egrets, Canadian geese, gulls, and more.

MLK Jr. Shoreline park attracts many birds

Scopes and binoculars definitely help bring the birds closer for observation. Gaymond took a picture of a group of stilts, using his cell phone camera and a scope. Stilts (Himantopus mexicanus here in California) have really long legs, similar to the long legs of flamingos! The photo makes it much easier to see the details.

Scope + cell phone camera photography in the field

A group of stilts in the wetlands (photo by Gaymond)

On the last leg of our walk, a tall Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) took a good long look at our group from the meadow.

Great blue heron observing humans in their natural habitat

November 29, 2025

I followed my new landscape maintenance schedule this month. November is the time for more fall cleanup and planting to take advantage of seasonal rains. Thank goodness for our landscape maintenance team. They did a thorough fall clean up and planted some new plants for us. Fall is one of my favorite times to work in the garden, but between Bobo the Husky, Thanksgiving, and other projects, we haven't had much time.

☑ Weed the garden paths and beds (ongoing task). Continue removing spent annuals (or wait until their seeds have been distributed, and then remove them).

☑ Clean up leaves and berries or drupes from the patios and paths (ongoing task). Cut back spreading perennials and ground covers. Also trim perennials in the front planter, such as the Bush Monkey Flower; and the gooseberry bushes in the upper and lower yards. Note: our landscape maintenance team handled this during their fall cleanup.

☑ Prune camellia and pittosporum shrubs to let light into the understory. Cut back invasive ivy from the street. Note: our arborist took care of the shrubs at the same time the team trimmed the oak tree in October.

☐ Close up the main patio—remove cobwebs, wipe down the patio furniture, protect the cushions, clean up the brick surfaces, wash windows, and toss anything that is old, damaged, or no longer needed. Clean and put away the Weber grill. Note: haven't done this yet. We had been sitting out on the patio a week or so before Thanksgiving, before the cold weather rolled in. Now that we've finished with Thanksgiving festivities, we can take care of this!

☐ Collect dried plant material for a Thanksgiving arrangement. Note: this didn't happen. Between Thanksgiving cooking and prep, and walking and training Bobo the Husky, something had to go! Our table still looked welcoming.

Kicks on Route 66

We left Cortez Colorado and Mesa Verde National Park feeling well rested and ready for the next part of our trip—Route 66 and the journey home. We headed south on Highway 160/666 under a blue sky and fleecy clouds. We left the red rock formations that we had been seeing since Jacob Lake, and started seeing more white or gray formations. At Gallup New Mexico, we took Interstate 40 and headed West. We soon  passed through the Port of Entry back into Arizona.

Blue sky dotted with clouds and green vegetation leaving Cortez

A majestic gray butte along Highway 160/666

 Welcome to Arizona on Interstate 40 (a.k.a., Route 66)

Historic Route 66 follows the general path of I-40 through California, Arizona, and New Mexico, and the western part of Oklahoma. Route 66 had its beginnings in 1926 when the Bureau of Public Roads cobbled together existing local, State, and national roads to form a highway from Chicago through St. Louis to Los Angeles. The U.S 66 Highway Association promoted the route and rural merchants along the way saw an opportunity to attract business.

The painted desert

The Painted Dessert Inn Museum

The previous Painted Desert Inn diner exhibit

We stopped at the Petrified Forest National Park, and visited the Painted Desert portion of the park. The sweeping views of red mounds were pretty impressive. Higher up on the mesa we visited the former Painted Desert Inn, which is now a museum. I loved the architecture of the building (another Fred Harvey Company and Mary Elizabeth Jane Colter collaboration), and appreciated the museum. I especially liked the small diner exhibit, the Navajo dyeing and weaving display, and the cougar petroglyph.

Navajo weaving and dyeing exhibit

More Navajo weaving and dyeing (look at those colors)

Cougar petroglyph on display at Painted Desert Inn Museum
(notice the Navajo weaving example on the wall)

We spent the night at La Posada Inn and Gardens in Winslow AZ (see Field Notes for October 2025 for details), and were lulled to sleep by trains in the night. The next morning we headed to the Flatbed Ford Cafe for breakfast, and the Standin' on the Corner Park for a few snap shots.

Relaxing with coffee at La Posada Inn in Winslow AZ

Flatbed Ford Cafe for breakfast

Standin' on the Corner Park in Winslow AZ

Our next stop was the Meteor Crater and the Barringer Space Museum in Meteor City. We were amazed at the huge crater, and enjoyed the movie and displays. My husband made an intergalactic friend. At Williams AZ, we were tempted to drive up to the South Rim for a quick view of the Grand Canyon (since we didn't get a chance to see it from the North Rim). We decided against it, since we had spent quite a bit of  time at the Meteor Crater (and sometimes it is better to do the most important things, rather than try to do everything). We spent the night in Kingman AZ.

On the way to the Meteor Crater - two miles to impact!

Wide angle doesn't take in the size of the Meteor Crater

A meteor (1,406 pounds)

A new friend

The next morning we headed for home, retracing our steps through Tehachapi and then back to Oakland. We unpacked, ordered pizza for dinner, and spent time with our son catching up on the news. We saw so many beautiful and interesting things and took so many photos. It was a great trip, but it's always nice to get home to familiar surroundings and one's own garden and bed.

The open road back in California

Learn More

• AAA's Indian Country: Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico Map (Automobile Club of Southern California, 2017). This map includes information on national parks and national monuments, recreation areas, campgrounds, tribal lands, and other points of interest, along with "Notes from the Road" by ACSC Field Cartographer, and was invaluable for planning our trip, and for navigating during our trip. We got our paper copy free from the Automobile Club, but you can purchase it online through Amazon and other vendors at an affordable price.

• La Posada Inn and Gardens (and Depot). This inn is magical! It was designed by architect and interior designer Mary Elizabeth Jane Colter (1869-1958) while she was employed by the Fred Harvey Company; and provided elegant lodgings for those traveling through the Southwest by train from 1930-1957. The inn closed and was used for other purposes, and then restored and reopened in the 1990s. We stayed one night, but could have stayed longer. In a future trip I'd love to travel by train, stay for three nights, and spend time lounging and reading novels in all the charming nooks and crannies of the hotel, inside and out!

• Meteor Crater & Barringer Space Museum. The crater is huge! According to the brochure, "the crater is large enough for 20 football games to be played simultaneously on its floor, while more than 2 million people could watch from the side slopes".  The exhibits, movie, interactive displays, and 1,406 pound meteor sample are also fascinating and informative.

• Painted Desert Inn Museum. This inn-turned-museum is wonderful! It has a varied history—originally created in 1920, remodeled in the 1930s, opened in the 1940s under management of the Fred Harvey Company, and then closed temporarily during World War II. In 1947, architect and interior designer Mary Elizabeth Jane Colter repaired and renovated the inn. It continued to provide hospitality and elegant lodgings for travelers by train and car, and was converted to a museum in 1963.

• Petrified Forest / Painted Desert. We visited the Painted Desert portion of the Petrified Forest National Park (north of I-40). We stopped to marvel at the mounds of red earth and sweeping views, and to enjoy the Painted Desert Inn Museum located high on a mesa. Next time we'll visit the Petrified Forest, south of I-40. I had visited it with my parents and siblings when I was a teenager, and really enjoyed seeing stumps of stone, complete with growth rings. (And I did see several petrified logs on this trip at various museums and motels, so had a chance to study them).

• Route 66 in Arizona. What a kick to travel along the historic Route 66. Towns and sights along the way triggered refrains from the song "Get Your Kicks on Route 66", written by Bobby Troup and made famous by Nat King Cole in 1946. According to the internet, Troup wrote the song while driving across the country on Route 66 to California in 1946.

• Standin' on the Corner Park (in Winslow, AZ), and close by is Flatbed Ford Cafe. If you are in Winslow Arizona and of a certain age (old), you really must stop at Standin' on the Corner Park and snap a few shots. We ate a delicious breakfast at Flatbed Ford Cafe first, and then took a few shots at the park, as a tribute to our college days and courtship.

• Tehachapi Railroad Loop. The Loop was built by Southern Pacific Railroad to ease the grade for trains over Tehachapi Pass, and was an engineering feat in its day. Construction began in 1874 and the line opened in 1876. We didn't visit the California Historical Landmark, the national  Historic Civil Engineering Landmark, or the Tehachapi Museum on this trip, but I could see part of the huge loop from the freeway. Visiting in person is on The List for a future trip.