Field Notes for October 2025

Welcome back to Field Notes!

October 1, 2025

We're home from our road trip to Mesa Verde National Park, by way of Nevada and the Four Corner states (Utah, Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico). My husband and I had a great time and saw so many amazing and beautiful sights. Our route took us on a big loop from Oakland CA, to Tehachapi CA, St. George UT, Jacob Lake AZ, Kayenta AZ, Cortez CO, Winslow AZ, Kingman AZ, and back to Tehachapi and then Oakland.

Cliff Palace at Mesa Verde National Park

October 3, 2025

During our stay at La Posada Inn in Winslow AZ, we enjoyed exploring the beautiful hotel, native gardens and grounds. La Posada Inn is a restored railroad hotel, which is also a depot stop for the Amtrak Southwest Chief route between Chicago and Los Angeles.

Night shot of La Posada Inn

Room 100, The James Cagney room (with a view to the train yard)

We had a fabulous dinner made with local ingredients in The Turquois Room, and then roamed the gift shop, public rooms and gardens. The hotel is like a museum, filled with interesting displays, artwork, and historical objects, and painted in bright, bold colors.

A view of the garden from a shady terrace

One of the garden rooms

Trains passed by the hotel all through the night. I was aware of them, but loved hearing the mournful train whistle and the chug of the wheels from the comfort of the hotel room (it's like a call to adventure). The hotel walls are thick and the windows insulated so the sound is distant, but for light sleepers with a less romantic view of trains, the hotel supplies ear plugs in each room!

Train depot right outside La Posada Inn

Farewell to La Posada Inn

October 6, 2025

One of the (many) things that I enjoyed about the La Posada Inn's landscape, was that I encountered something new, whimsical, or interesting every time I turned a corner! Here are a few of my favorites, but you really must visit to see for yourself. Seeing the unique, personal touches inspired me that it is time for us to embrace our renovated landscape and make it our own. 

Tile work and bold colors in the garden

Whimsical giraffe appears in the shade

View of the sunken garden with sculptures of donkeys and pigs

October 9, 2025

For this week's hike, Gaymond, Mari and I joined the Over-the-Hills Gang hike at Pinole Shores near Bayfront Park in Hercules, CA. The trail includes a 1,100-foot gradually-sloping bridge over the Union Pacific Railroad tracks and shoreline, and connects Pinole Shores and the City of Pinole’s Bayfront Park. The trail joins the San Francisco Bay Trail.

View of San Pablo Bay from the Pinole Shores trail

The Pinole Shores Bridge was completed in 2018 (photo by Mari)

The elevated bridge provides safe passage for walkers, bikers, and baby strollers over the railroad tracks and narrow shoreline, and wonderful views along the way. Amtrak and freight trains passed under us from our unique vantage point (and yes, some of us waved at the engineer as though we were five years old)! The trail passes through shady forests, and over rolling hills. There is a little something for everyone. 

The Pinole Shores trail passes through shady oak forest

A sweeping view from the Pinole Shores trail

The Pinole Shores Bridge passes over the train tracks

Our hike was led by Anthony Fisher, who provided information about flora and fauna and delicious lemon and ginger cookies at the half-way point. Mari, Gaymond, and I ended the hike at Yo Sushi in Pinole, for a delicious bento box lunch, restorative water, and conversation! Check the website to learn more about upcoming events offered by the East Bay Regional Park District. Bring a friend or come solo, and join the next hike with a wonderful group of 55+ hikers.

Intrepid hikers along Pinole Shores (photo by Gaymond)

October 12, 2025

While hiking along Pinole Shores we saw a variety of native plants. We also saw birds— including California Scrub Jay, Mocking Bird, Snowy Egret, and more—but I was too far away to capture satisfactory photos!

Clockwise, from top left: Walnut tree
Rose hips
Daisy of some kind (Asteraceae spp.)
California buckeye

October 15, 2025

We had the big oak tree trimmed up for fall. Several large branches had grown long and heavy enough to scrape the tops of delivery trucks as they barreled along the street under the tree. We were concerned for the health of the tree, and the safety of the vehicles and pedestrians that pass under it. We hire an arborist to do this every five or six years, and it was time.

Low hanging branches need to be trimmed on the big oak

The branches were pruned, and the canopy cut back

October 18, 2025

We had some cold, heavy rains recently, so I pulled out a puzzle that I borrowed from Aunt Char (she and I share a passion for puzzles). This one captured early fall on the farm! 

 

Country Life: A Little Bit of Heaven 
Artist: Tom Wood

October 22, 2025

It's either the Zombie Apocalypse, or Halloween is just around the corner! So far, the skeletons appear friendly (or are they just scoping out the neighborhood for future mayhem)?

A neighborly skeleton

Skeleton surveying the neighborhood