Photo by Stacy Geiken

–M’Gee Johnston

When you look up at Mt. Tamalpais in Marin County from the towns below you can’t see all the hidden treasures that it holds — from lakes and waterfalls to wild animals and giant redwoods.  One of its special places is the Mountain Theater, an outdoor venue where theatrical events have been performed since 1913.  I recently attended the Mountain Play. We sat in the stone seats (constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930’s) built into the hillside with the stage at the bottom of the hill.  This year’s play was The Wizard of Oz and it was so much fun I found myself clapping and singing along with the hundreds of people in the audience.  This is a family event and people of all ages attend.  There are shuttle buses provided to ride to and from Mill Valley, or you can hike up, ride a bike or drive a car (there is very little parking, however.)  We parked and hiked partway up the mountain ~~ about 2 hours up and a little less coming down.  What a wonderful way to spend the day……..the hike was invigorating  and when we arrived we thoroughly enjoyed our lunch while waiting for the play to begin.  The play itself was so well done; the actors and scene changes were first rate and there was even an airplane that flew overhead trailing a banner saying, “Surrender Dorothy.”  I’m already looking forward to next year’s show, Man of La Mancha.  Meanwhile, I will enjoy the pleasure of hiking the many trails on Mt. Tam.  You can learn more about some of the other hidden treasures of Mt. Tamalpais here: Mt. Tamalpais’ Land and Legends and Mt. Tamalpais Land of Lakes.

Photo by metaphors

–M’Gee Johnston

Some months ago I was walking in Bolinas, California on the path near the water treatment ponds on the mesa, when I was suddenly under attack from a kite (the bird, not the thing at the end of a string). He (she?) was overhead and began swooping down toward my head looking like he was going to attack and then he would fly back up overhead, hover above me, stare menacingly and swoop again. I stopped for a moment to look at this beautiful bird but I could see that upset him, so I didn’t stay still for long. I continued walking and shortly must have gotten out of his territory because he left me alone and flew off to the trees. I was thrilled at this experience ~ to see this bird staring down at me ~ and was fascinated by his ability to apparently suspend himself in the air above me. I read more about the kite on the Conservation Science Institute and Birding.com websites and hope to see more of these striking birds. I will be sure to carry my binoculars with me next time I go walking.

– Jim Wirth

The San Francisco Bay Area has some of the most beautiful landscapes you’ll find anywhere in the world.  And what better way to experience the breathtaking scenery than to get out on your own two feet and hike!  You will have no problem finding great hiking trails just about anywhere around the San Francisco Bay, but if you would like some expert advice on where to go, you’ll want to check out Jane Huber’s website Bay Area Hiker. 

Jane’s website includes detailed information on close to 250 great trails that she has personally hiked herself.  Each hike has its own information page, which includes directions on how to get there, trailhead details, gas, food and lodging information, distance and difficulty, official rules for the trail, links to additional information about the area, and recommended maps and books.  If that wasn’t enough, Jane has taken the time to write a very detailed essay about each particular hike featured on her site, with lots of her own photographs.  One of my favorite features of the Bay Area Hiker website is the link from the home page to all hikes organized by difficulty. 

Jane has also written a book called 60 Hikes within 60 Miles: San Francisco, which is now in its second edition…

We’ve got many videos here at OpenRoad.TV of destinations included at Jane’s Bay Area Hiker website, so be sure to check out our content as well.  Now grab your hiking shoes and water bottle, and get out there to enjoy this wonderful place that many of us are lucky enough to call home.

– Jim Wirth

Typical siblings!  

Kachina and Kiona started picking on one another during their afternoon swim.  After some pushing and shoving, and a few nips on the nose, a powerful right hook smacked Kiona in the side of the head.  Or was it Kachina?  Honestly, I couldn’t tell one from another, but watching them romp around in the water beating up on each other was a ton of fun.  This is definitely one of the ”must see” events at the San Francisco Zoo these days, so if you are planning a visit, be sure to head over to Hearst Grizzly Gulch and park yourself in front of the glass window opposite the water.  Sooner or later, these feisty sisters are bound to take a dip, and, like typical siblings, they just can’t seem to keep their paws to themselves.

Watch the video I took last week of Kiona and Kachina’s playful water fight at Grizzly Bears – San Francisco Zoo.

photo by Robert Holmes

–M’Gee Johnston

I always look forward to reading the Weekend Sherpa newsletter that I get every week.  Weekend Sherpa provides information on outdoor activities in Northern California.  The topics are engaging and as I start reading about a mountain or trail or lake, I immediately think to myself – “I gotta go there soon.”  They are often places I’ve been ~ like Pt. Reyes and Mt. Tam ~ but never tire of visiting; or they may be places I haven’t been to but have always wanted to go ~ like this week’s recommendation: Mammoth and Mono Lake.   The review of the lakes and the hiking along with the spectacular photos makes me want to get out the backpack and hiking boots.  There is a variety of information in the newsletters, from easy day trips to longer and more strenuous adventures.   Last week’s newsletter was a reminder that for those of us near Mt. Tam (or anyone who wants to travel to Mt. Tam); we can hike up to West Point Inn for a pancake breakfast once a month from May through October.

– Jim Wirth

A few days back I posted some beautiful photos of the open road taken by veteran long-haul trucker Paul Tarin, also known as “Slimeface” (see A Trucker’s View of the Open Road).  Well, serendipity has led me to another amazing picture of the “open road” that I would like to share here.

I traded emails tonight with a fellow watch enthusiast named Marc Levin.  Marc sent me an email to join a watch club that I manage.  In his email, Marc mentioned that he was a blogger, and was “passionate about the web, social media and the power of creativity in our world.”  Among Marc’s favorite social media sites are Flickr and Twitter, and checking out his Flickr account, I was exceedingly impressed with his photo entitled Sun on the way up to Mammoth, which Marc took on a 2007 ski trip.

An awesome view of the open road to the Sierras, captured beautifully by Marc.  If you’d like to learn a bit more about this part of world, check out our story and video entitled Highway 395: Scenic Eastern Sierra.

Thanks for letting me share your photo here Marc.  I’m looking forward to meeting you in person some day soon, and seeing your new Panerai that caused our paths to cross.

– Jim Wirth

I received the latest issue of JPG Magazine the other day, and was very impressed by the photos taken by long-haul trucker Paul Tarin, who is better known in the photo sharing community as “Slimeface.”  Paul has been a trucker since 1974, and has become quite handy with the camera over the years, trying to capture the landscape as one would experience it if they were perched high up in the driver’s seat. 

Paul’s Flickr account contains over 200 amazing photos of his travels across America, including many beautiful shots of the open road in the American West.  Here are a few of my favorites:

Paul has also put together a beautiful slideshow video that is quite mesmerizing…

Thanks for the great photography Paul!  Drive safe.

– Jim Wirth

“Are we there yet?”

“Are we there yet?”

“Are we there yet?”

Sound familiar?  If you’ve ever taken a road trip with your kids, I’m sure you’ve heard it way more than you care to remember.  So what can parents do to keep their kids entertained during a several hour drive?  Many will opt for the flip down DVD player – just slip in a copy of High School Musical 2 and let them zone out with Zac Efron. 

Well I’ve discovered a much better solution that I can’t wait to try out on our next family trip….  games and activities found in a wonderful book called Carschooling by Diane Flynn Keith. 

As defined in the book, “carschooling is all about turning travel time into learning time.”  But don’t worry, it’s not like spending a few hours at school.  The over 350 games and activities described in Carschooling  are quite entertaining.  Subjects covered include science, math, language arts, social sciences, geography, visual and performing arts, foreign languages, physical education and health.  And yes, the book even includes electives and recess!

Diane Flynn Keith is a columnist for the homeschooling publications Homefires Journal and The Link and is an advisor for Homeschool.com.  You can find much more information about carschooling at www.carschooling.com.  Check it out, and avoid having to repeat “not yet” over and over and over on your next road trip with the kids.

Photo: Christopher Chen

–M’Gee Johnston

It’s officially the travel season as Memorial Day weekend marks the beginning of summer type activities ~ outdoor events, picnics, beach outings, and travel ~ by boats, planes and trains. You can enjoy some of the train activity and learn about steam engines by checking out the special rides being offered this weekend in Niles Canyon.

For a preview, see our story: Niles Historic Movies and Trains

Got Steam? Bay Area Railroad History Comes to Life

On May 25th and 26th the Golden Gate Railroad Museum and the Pacific Locomotive Association will be hosting a special series of steam locomotive train rides powered by Southern Pacific #2472, A Pacific Class (4-6-2 wheel arrangement) locomotive. These special rides are in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the last SP steam locomotives in Niles Canyon.

In addition this operation marks the return to operation for Southern Pacific #2472 after being out of service for the past several years for a “six figure” restoration and federal inspection paid for by donations and volunteer labor.

Sunday, May 25th, Steam Locomotive SP 2472, SP Business Car “Oakland”, A Railway Post Office, and other heritage equipment will be on display in Sunol and guided tours will be provided. There is a $5 fee, payable at the display.

Monday, May 26th special trains powered by SP 2472 will run round trip from Sunol departing at 10:30am, Noon, 1:30pm, 3:00pm. The focus of this event is to provide the opportunity to ride behind historic steam in commemoration of this 50th anniversary. There will be no “run-by” opportunities on any of the Monday trains. Tickets for the Monday train are – $25 Adults / $10 Children over 4.

The funds raised from this event will go to support the museum and restoration operations of both the PLA and GGRM.

Who: The Golden Gate Railroad Museum, Pacific Locomotive Association
What: Southern Pacific Steam Locomotive #2472
When: Sunday, May 25th and Monday, May 26th
Where: Niles Canyon Railway, Trains Depart from Sunol Station (6 Kildare Rd. Sunol, CA 94586)
Why: Return to Operation for SP #2472 / 50th anniversary of last SP Steam Locomotives in Niles Canyon.
HOW: Tickets for the Monday Steam train Rides can be purchased in advance via telephone at 408-269-4145 or the day of operation at Sunol station.
On the Web: www.ggrm.org and www.ncry.org

– Jim Wirth

“Nice watch!”

“Nice Camera!”

I don’t remember which was said first. The watch was mine – a huge 47mm Panerai PAM217 Luminor Marina Militare. The camera belonged to David Hisanaga – a Mamiya 7-II Medium Format 6×7cm Rangefinder. It was last October, and we both happened to be sitting in Nanette Lepore, a women’s fashion boutique in the Forum Shops at Ceasar’s Palace, Las Vegas, waiting for our wives to try on various outfits, and worrying that we might each need a second mortgage. We had never met before, yet we enjoyed the opportunity for show-and-tell, passing our prized possessions, one to the other, for closer inspection. It turned out David was from Mill Valley, California, which is one exit down the highway from Corte Madera where I live – small world. So we exchanged business cards, and David left financially intact with his wife, who did not find anything she really wanted. I was not so fortunate.

Fast forward to earlier this week. Out of the blue I received an email from David, reintroducing himself, and telling me that our OpenRoad.TV video story about the San Francisco Presidio and George Lucas was getting emailed around his place of work – Industrial Light and Magic. He recognized the OpenRoad.TV name and pulled out his wallet where my business card still sat. Yep – small world.

In his email, David took the liberty of attaching two amazing photos that he had taken in one of my favorite places, the Marin Headlands (see my story and video about Exploring the Headlands of Marin) .

The first photo was taken with a twin lens reflex (TLR) Mamiya C330F. The second was shot with the Mamiya 7II that David had with him in Las Vegas during our chance encounter. David is passionate about cameras like I am about watches, and likes to shoot with the Mamiya medium format film cameras. He also shoots with an Olympus OM10, a Canon EOS630, and a Canon 10D digital SLR. But David’s favorite camera happens to be a very cool 42 year old Rolleiflex 2.8F TLR with a Zeiss Planar lens.

“It’s beautiful and it takes beautiful pictures. Everything’s manual. Manual focus, manual exposure setting, manual film advance. It has a light meter, fortunately, which is a luxury. These are hard to find in good condition with working light meters. One side benefit of this camera that I couldn’t have possibly foreseen was the warmth that it brings out in people. I can’t tell you how many people just stop me to say ‘Cool camera’ or ‘Wow, my father used to have one of those’. Just this weekend while I was in a department store, an older man who was with his wife and grandchildren stopped me and said, “Oh, is that a Rolleiflex? I had one of those when I was in the Navy”. His wife chimed in, “I think you still have that in a closet somewhere, dear.” He asked me all sorts of questions. Like if I had heard of so-and-so who took pictures of the West with a Rollei; can I still find film for it; how much does it cost to process; etc. He then asked me to show his grandson how it worked. I did, and he thanked me profusely afterwards. It was a neat moment.”

You can see more of David’s photography at his Flickr account. And if you see two guys in a coffee shop in Marin County anytime soon, and there is an array of interesting cameras and watches spread out on the table, you can bet it’s David and me enjoying a little more show-and-tell.