Garin Regional Park

On a tip from the East Bay Regional Park calendar for 2018, my husband and I visited the nearby Garin Regional Park in Hayward, California (close to the Hayward Japanese Garden we visited in 2011). It was a cool afternoon, but the sun was out after (what felt like) weeks of cold dark weather!

Garin Regional Park

Garin and Dry Creek Pioneer Regional Parks are neighboring parks in Hayward. Garin, a 3,168-acre park in Hayward, was established in 1968. The Garin Red Barn Visitor Center was closed, but a small wedding party showed up for a photoshoot.

Red Barn Visitor Center at Garin Regional Park

Tree-lined path

We enjoyed a stroll around Jordan Pond (naturally reproducing largemouth bass, bluegill, and sunfish, and periodically stocked with channel catfish), and spent little time watching American Coots (with their very odd feet) feeding by the pond and experimenting with my new selfie stick (and trying not to be obnoxious).

Jordon Pond

Fishing pier on Jordon Pond

Quite a few family parties were in progress at reservable picnic spots, and we saw hikers and a horse and rider heading up into the hills, green with recent rains. There was quite a bit of water in Jordan Creek.

Green hills at Garin Regional Park

We were in a canyon, so didn't have much of a view, but the Ridge loop trail would provide grand views of the Bay. We'll save that for another visit, as well as the Dry Creek Garden and Meyers Cottage down the road. My husband and I enjoyed our outing on a beautiful winter day; we are so fortunate to have these pockets of nature so close to us here in the San Francisco Bay Area for exercise and retreat! 

Winter at Bishop Ranch

Over the past year at Bishop Ranch I've enjoyed watching the seasons change. Some may argue we barely have seasons here in the San Francisco Bay Area, but I beg to differ. There are many subtle seasonal changes, especially for those paying attention. In Landscaping at Bishop Ranch, I introduced some of the main landscaping elements of the industrial park. In this post I'd like to celebrate winter at Bishop Ranch.

Birds float on the lake in late afternoon winter light

The winter light is especially beautiful and golden this time of year, but the sun is low in the sky and always in my eyes. Since the business park is in a valley, the sun "sets" early behind the hills, leaving the valley in shadow.

Allee of trees in golden winter light

Bare branches in late afternoon light

The deciduous trees are bare, leaving the skeleton of their branches and revealing the texture of their bark. The low slant of the winter sun casts long shadows of the branches over the ground and walls. The redwoods, live oak, and native trees showcase their green leaves, thriving with the boost of winter rains.

Winter maintenance at Bishop Ranch

Winter container plants at Bishop Ranch

Some plants are cut back to foster growth in the spring. Bark mulch is replenished. The containers are updated with winter plantings, such as primrose, begonia, and viola.  The grasses flourish and soften the landscape.

Landscaping in winter at Bishop Ranch

Migrating birds stop and rest near the lakes, or up in the trees. The hills surrounding the campus are green from the winter rains, and nature is visible from many vantage points from within the Bishop Ranch buildings.

Borrowed view from the Roundhouse cafeteria on a cold, beautiful, winter day

Landscaping at Bishop Ranch

We just celebrated our one-year anniversary at Bishop Ranch with champagne and chocolate. Recall a year ago our office moved from Dublin to San Ramon, after 15 years in the same location (see Roaming in San Ramon). We were all a little nervous about the open floor plan and new routines. Fast forward a year, and we're all settled in and enjoying the new location and its many amenities.

One of the lakes at Bishop Ranch

I especially appreciate the fantastic landscaping of the Bishop Ranch property, and the incredible landscape management. We are situated in the original Bishop Ranch complex, so I am most familiar with its campus. The scale of the landscaping is vast, with lots of room to roam.

Small marina on the second lake

Main features include two lakes, a small marina, walking paths and exercise stations, lots of parking, and landscaping on a grand scale. The trees and plants are Mediterranean and native, and the whole complex is watered with gray water. The lakes provide habitat for birds and fish and are designed to be sustainable systems. The public is invited to walk around the property from dawn to dusk (easily accessible by the Marriott near Target), and the Roundhouse is open for lunch.

Roundhouse viewed from one of the trails

I’m hoping to learn more about how the landscaping company catalogs, tracks, and maintains such a large property (might get some ideas for managing the home garden on a smaller scale). In the meantime, I love my brisk afternoon walks, and the chance to observe the plants and property go through the seasons in our San Francisco Bay Area climate.

Heron at lakeside	Mount Diablo
Leaf Patrol	Tree Inventory

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Seahurst Park

On New Year's Day the four of us took Mako on a walk at Seahurst Park in nearby Burien, Washington. It was the first sunny day since we arrived in the Seattle area (although the sun did peak out periodically throughout our visit). Seahurst is a 178-acre park on Puget Sound, comprised of both shoreline and forests. Within the last 15 years the beach has been improved via a restoration project that removed part of a decaying sea wall and restored the beach to a more natural state.

Winter forest on the way to the beach

View of the Sound and Olympic Mountains

At the park, we had wonderful views of the Sound and the Olympic Mountains. It was chilly and clear, and everything was bathed in beautiful golden winter light. We walked along the shore, then hiked up into the canyon, and back down to the beach.

Walk in Seahurst Park

Marine Technology Lab in the center of the picture

We passed by the Marine Technology Lab that is used by several school districts. We had plenty of company along the way, no doubt many folks were eager to be out in the sunlight with family and friends before heading back to work. Mako seemed to enjoy the hike, as well as the car ride to and from the Park.

Golden winter light

Mako on the move (and loving it)

Back home we did a little packing, worked on a puzzle, and ordered dinner from nearby Proletariat Pizza. Later we watched the French version of Beauty and the Beast (2014) with Vincent Cassel, Léa Seydoux, and André Dussollier. It was a satisfying end to our Christmas visit in Seattle, and the perfect kick off day to the new year!