Winter Outing

After all the fun of the holidays, it's time to get "back" in shape. What could be better than taking a long walk on a sunny day in an interesting park that is filled with trees, shrubs, and tombstones? On this January day, we're going back to the Mountain View Cemetery in Oakland. The cemetery is a beautiful place that has a long history and fantastic views of the Bay Area.

Brotherly Love

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks

There is always something new to discover at the cemetery. On this day we came across a magnificent bronze elk statue perched on top of a tumulus in Plot 32. The site is an "Elks' Rest" burial place for deceased lodge members (similar sites are located around the country). The monument was established by Lodge #171, and unveiled and dedicated in 1896 (see Where Elks May Sleep in Peace).

View towards Millionaire Road

Tombstones are always fascinating, for both their styles and the stories they tell about the deceased. This gravestone for William H. Lessels caught my eye. It looks like it was broken at some point, and then repaired. The tombstone is a little difficult to read in places, but it looks like Lessels was a midshipman of a British Duke class ship, who died August 21, 1876 at the age of 18. He drowned near Sunderland, England and the officers and crew of his ship paid tribute to their deceased colleague.

I did a quick internet search of the Lessels family and found Brief Life History of Allen Henderson (Lessels). William Henry Lessels is listed as the second child (1858-1876) of Allan and Jane Lessels. However, the family seemed to be firmly settled in England and Scotland, with no mention of anyone migrating to the Bay Area. I am curious how his grave marker ended up at the Mountain View Cemetery - a family history mystery!

Tribute to William H. Lessels, midshipman

We also discovered a graffiti tribute to a deceased 21-year old (1995-2016), painted on a concrete retaining wall nearby. Two young lives in two different eras, snuffed out too early, both with friends, family, and colleagues to honor them.

Tribute to Tonio, brother

Our outing was a success - we got some exercise in a beautiful location, and made several interesting discoveries.

Celebrating Life

In the spirit of "The Roaring Twenties", we're celebrating gardens, adventures, and life all year long. This week we're celebrating in the cemetery! The Mountain View Cemetery is a jewel in Oakland's crown, for its long history, fantastic views of the Bay Area, and evolving vision for the future. We've visited Mountain View over the years to enjoy its tranquility, architecture, and trees (see Mountain View Cemetery, Cal at Mountain View Cemetery, American Gothic, Trees of Mountain View Cemetery, and more).

View of Oakland and beyond from Millionaire Row

Gothic mausoleum with stained glass window

The Ewing mausoleum

After very restrictive access during the last several years due to COVID, the cemetery is again open for recreational strolls (with a few new rules). Recently, my husband and I visited Mountain View on an overcast day to get some exercise between heavy winter rainstorms. We headed for Millionaire Row for our walk among the tombstones. 

The Goodall mausoleum

The Goodall statue

An angel guards the Bradbury mausoleum

The overcast sky seemed to emphasize interesting details in the structures around us. We saw a large murder of crows up the hill, and wondered why they were gathering in such numbers (Corvids are quite intelligent - should we be worried?). The views were expansive (even with the low cloud ceiling), reminding us to look up every once in awhile to see the big picture. Walking through the beauty and tranquility of the cemetery is also a good reminder to live fully and enjoy life as much as possible (even through hardships)!

A murder of crows gathers in the cemetery

A final view of Oakland over the rooftops

Roberts Regional Recreation Area

This month we are visiting the last park on our itinerary of East Bay Watershed parks that contribute to our emergency water supply, and provide great recreational opportunities right in our back yard! This time we are visiting Roberts Recreational Regional Park, which is surrounded on three sides by Redwood Regional park. But I'd like to highlight it, because it provides a place to host gatherings as well as enjoy nature.

Roberts Regional Recreational Area

Redwood Grove

Blossom Rock Navigation Trees Exhibit

Manzanita Loop Trail

The 82-acre park opened in 1952, and its entrance is in a second-generation grove of redwood trees. The original trees were logged in 1860, and the current trees are descendants of the famous trees used by ship captains to navigate San Francisco Bay. The original trees were reported to be up to 20 feet in diameter.

View of Mount Diablo from the Vista Point

Sports field with a view of the San Francisco Bay

Swimming pool

Sycamore picnic area

Park amenities include a playground (wheel chair accessible area for children), archery range, sports fields, volleyball court, swimming pool, and picnic sites. Check the Park Calendar on the website for groups hikes, swimming and archery lessons, and hours of operation. Some amenities require advanced online registration, others are on a first-come, first-served basis, so plan your group gatherings accordingly.

Ring of Redwood trees	Redwood needles
Redwood duff	Fall colors

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A network of trails connects with trails through the Redwood Regional Park, providing opportunities for hiking, biking, jogging, and horseback riding. Check out the Graham Trail, Manzanita Loop, Roberts Ridge Trail, and Vista trails. This park may not fit everyone's needs, but it is a place to consider when planning a large group event, or special birthday celebration.

Address:  Recreational Area – 10570 Skyline Boulevard; Oakland, CA 94611  Web Site: https://www.ebparks.org/parks/roberts Map: https://www.ebparks.org/parks/roberts#maps Wild Plants: https://www.ebparks.org/parks/roberts#resources For other parks and preserves in the East Bay watershed, see:  https://edenbythebay.blogspot.com/2017/02/parks-of-east-bay-watershed.html

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Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve

This year we're visiting several parks in the East Bay watershed that are an integral part of our emergency water supply. These parks and preserves capture, filter, and store water, but they also provide recreational opportunities right in our own backyard! This time we are visiting Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve, which is the site of ancient volcanic activity from 9 - 10 million years ago.

Sibley staging area off Skyline Boulevard

Self-serve Visitor Center

The Sibley visitor center provides exhibits that describe the geology of "Round Top" (elevation 1763 feet), and a self-guided tour brochure that also describes the geological features. Round Top Road goes from the visitor center to the top of Round Top. Volcanic Trail contains most of the stops on the self-guided volcanic tour.

Sibley's geology

Sibley's geological history

The 928 square acre park was opened in 1936 as Round Top, with the formation of the Park District. In 1972 the park was renamed to Sibley Volcanic to honor Robert W. Sibley, a Park District founder and director.

Overlook Trail

View from the water tower - Mount Tamalpais (upper left corner)

View of Wildcat Fault

Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve provides great opportunities to study the core of an ancient volcano. Follow the self-guided tour of Round Top to learn more about the site. The picnic site looks a little stark, but I was surprised to find a cooling breeze on the day I visited.

Geo Marker 1: Basalt dike

Geo Marker 3: Orinda Formation gravels

Geo Marker 7: Basalt flow

Picnic Area in a quarry pit

Geo Marker 9: hard and soft lava flow

View to Orinda and Mount Diablo

Round Top Loop Trail circles the peak, and provides stunning views of the East Bay and surrounding hills, from Mount Tamalpais all the way to Mount Diablo. In addition to the view, interesting geology, and excellent birding opportunities, check out the several labyrinths and bring your dog.

Coyote bush - green in mid summer	Teasal
Yarrow	Aster

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The trail is completely exposed, so carry plenty of water, and wear a hat and sun screen, especially in summer and fall. In winter, take the road down to the quarry, and look for the California newts in the ponds near the old labyrinth.

Address:  Sibley Staging Area – 6701 Skyline Boulevard; Oakland, CA 94611  Web Site: https://www.ebparks.org/parks/sibley-volcanic  Map: https://www.ebparks.org/parks/sibley-volcanic#maps Wild Plants: https://www.ebparks.org/parks/sibley-volcanic#resources For other parks and preserves in the East Bay watershed, see:  https://edenbythebay.blogspot.com/2017/02/parks-of-east-bay-watershed.html

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Huckleberry Botantic Regional Preserve

Our next East Bay watershed park visit is to Huckleberry Botanic Regional Preserve, located in the hills behind Oakland off Skyline Boulevard, between Sibley and Redwood regional parks. The preserve is relatively small, 240 acres, with a 1.7-mile loop trail that links to the larger Skyline National Trail. I visited the park in early May, on a cool, overcast week end. I was very interested in visiting the park because of its unusual plant collection.

Huckleberry Botanic Regional Preserve Entrance

Picnic area

According to the informative park brochure, written by Ben Johnson, the native plant community is found nowhere else in the East Bay, and represents a relic plant association found only in California areas where ideal soil and climatic conditions exist. The vegetation originated in the southern coast of California when the climate was moister and tempered by cool coastal fog. Similar vegetation is found in the islands off the Santa Barbara coast, and in pockets on the coast between Point Conception and Montara Mountains south of San Francisco.

Huckleberry Path

Per Johnson, the geology belongs to the Claremont shale/chert formation, laid down in a deep ocean basin, pushed up, and then eroded around 12 million years ago. The soil is poor and porous, with little water-holding capability, so the conditions favor pioneering chaparral species, and hold off intrusion of other local species.

Bench with a view of the Oakland Hills

Lush forest with ferns and moss

Upper Huckleberry Path is fairly flat, and passes through a lovely, lush forest of Canyon live oak, Pacific madrone, California hazelnut, and California bay, and an understory of ferns, huckleberries, Iris, currants, and many others. The bay trees give off a wonderful, aromatic scent. Signposts installed along the path serve as keys to brochure descriptions of the vegetation [such as Brittleleaf manzanita, Pallid manzanita, Coast Silktassell, Western leatherwood, Jimbrush (Ceanothus), succession, geology, and more.

Marker 15 - Pallid Manzanita (Arctostaphylos pallida)

View of the Oakland Hills under clearing sky

Along the trail are views of the Oakland hills, which were still green in early May after our very wet winter. A bench provides a wonderful spot to take in the view. I especially enjoyed seeing some of the small woodland plants that grow in the shady understory.

Unidentified	Cow Parsnip
Unidentified	Douglas Iris

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This is a small treasure in the East Bay watershed. There are few parking spots at the Huckleberry Main Staging Area, one picnic table that I could see, and dogs and horses are not permitted on the path, so the preserve may not appeal to everyone. But the vegetation and geology are interesting, it's a great place for a short hike, and it gives us a glimpse into how plants might "move north" to survive as environmental conditions change. Be sure to check the website for notices that might affect your visit.

Address:  Huckleberry Main Staging Area – 7087 Skyline Boulevard (just south of Elverton Drive); Oakland, CA 94611.  Web Site: https://www.ebparks.org/parks/huckleberry Map:  https://www.ebparks.org/parks/huckleberry#maps Wild flowers: https://www.ebparks.org/parks/huckleberry#resources For other parks and preserves in the East Bay watershed, see:  https://edenbythebay.blogspot.com/2017/02/parks-of-east-bay-watershed.html

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