Finishing Up In San Francisco and Moving Onto Irvine, California

We’ve had a busy week. I’ll do my best to sum it up here.

Social Unrest: The trip to San Francisco wouldn’t have been complete without seeing Danny’s band (the friend we were staying with from the last blog entry), Social Unrest, perform. Social Unrest was an influential punk band from the early 1980’s. We were able to see them once in San Francisco and once in Santa Cruz. Dave got to fulfill his dream of being a roadie as he helped move the drummer, Gary’s, drum set. Could this be a new career direction for him?

Guitarist Danny and Singer Creetin (You can see the back of dave’s head in the audience)

Singer Creetin and Drummer Gary (Once again – dave too)

Anarchists Book Fair: We couldn’t leave San Francisco without checking out the anarchist’s book fair that happened to be in town the last weekend we were there. It was interesting. A fairly diverse crowd showed up to purse over titles from human rights to animal rights to socialism to anarchism. Here are a few definitions gleaned from the internet to help sort out some of what the anarchists were discussing at this book fair.

• Communism is an ideology that seeks to establish a classless, stateless social organization based on common ownership of the means of production.
• Socialism refers to a broad array of doctrines or political movements that envisage a socio-economic system in which property and the distribution of wealth are subject to control by the community. This control may be either direct—exercised through popular collectives such as workers' councils—or indirect—exercised on behalf of the people by the state.
• Anarchism is a political philosophy or group of doctrines and attitudes centered on rejection of any form of compulsory government and supporting its elimination. It is based on decentralized, autonomous collectives working for a greater good. In some ways it reflects a pure form of direct democracy.
• Capitalism generally refers to an economic system in which the means of production are mostly privately owned and operated for profit, and in which distribution, production and pricing of goods and services are determined in a largely free market.

By looking at these definitions next to each other its easy to see some of the problems associated with capitalism: seemingly unfair and inefficient distribution of wealth and power; a tendency toward market monopoly or oligoply; various forms of economic exploitation; and phenomena such as social alienation, inequality, unemployment, economic instability and environmental degradation. Many people confuse the terms democracy and capitalism. Democracy can be applied to all of the above political philosophies. It is important to note that the US is less concerned about spreading democracy throughout the world than it is capitalism. I encourage readers to do some research into US foreign interventions and I think you will come to the same conclusion.

Book Fair Sign

Bike Parking

As we were leaving we ran into this group of musicians, some of which were playing home made instruments (ex. a saw and a violin bow, a washtub turned upside-down with a stick and a string coming up from it, washboard). They were singing songs about workers rights and labor movements.

Band of Home Made Instruments

Anti War Rally: The fourth anniversary of the Iraq War (Operation Iraqi Freedom – yikes civil war now equals freedom – scary) was March 19, 2007. San Francisco was planning a big protest march to tell our government to GET ALL US TROOPS OUT OF IRAQ NOW!!!!! Over 40,000 people came out with various signs and costumes to get this point across. We marched through the heart of downtown and listened to dozens of political activists give speeches and statements regarding the US governments involvement in foreign affairs.

Over 3,200 US soldiers have died in Iraq and over 54,000 Iraqi civilians (probably much more) have died because of the US’s greed for foreign oil. The fact that the wool has been pulled over the US public’s eyes and more people aren’t upset by it is horrifying to us. One sign said it best “If you’re not outraged, you’re not paying attention.” So start paying attention blog readers. Write your congressmen and women and tell them you want all US troops out of Iraq NOW not in three months or six months from now, BUT NOW!!!

Here are a few more of the sights we saw:

Like the anarchists book fair, the war protest brought out a very diverse crowd. Here are a few of the younger participants’ signs.

This group of drummers were playing for the crowd as we walked. I'm not sure if you can tell from the photo but nobody standing near them could keep still. Everyone was dancing.

dave hooked up with a gentleman who needed help carrying his home made sign. Turns out this guy marched in an anti war protest during the Vietnam War with the same sign. Is it feasible we are not learning our lessons from these past deadly battles?
More Pacific Coast Scenery: Filled with anti government angst we said goodbye to San Francisco and moved on south down the coast. There was the usual spectacular scenery and this time we were treated to some wildlife.

Pacific Coast Scenery

Seals

Elephant Seals Fighting on Beach

We were also treated to a rare site a sighting of a few condors resting on the side of the highway. For those of you not familiar with the condor’s history here is some info from the US Fish and Wildlife Service web site. California condors once on the brink of extinction now are on the brink of recovery. From only 22 condors left in existence, their numbers have risen to 289 this year. Through the efforts of many, California condors fly free once more in central & southern California, in Arizona and in Baja, Mexico.

Beginning in 1992, the Service began reintroducing captive-bred condors to the wild to reestablish a wild population of these endangered birds. In the early years of the reintroduction effort some problems occurred, including five condor mortalities due to collisions with power lines. Experts involved with the Recovery Program worked to address these problems and made several changes in the rearing methods used. Among the most successful changes was the initiation of a power pole aversion training program for all releasable condors. This training involves the use of a mock power pole placed inside the flight pen where the young condors are kept until transferred to a release site. The power pole emits a small electrical charge whenever a condor attempts to land on it. The young birds quickly learn to avoid perching on these and will, instead, opt to use appropriate natural perches available inside the flight pen. This program has greatly reduced condor mortalities from power line collisions.

The goal of the California Condor Recovery Plan is to establish two geographically separate populations, one in California and the other in Arizona, each with 150 birds and at least 15 breeding pairs. As the Recovery Program works toward the goal of establishing two separate wild populations of condors, the number of release sites has grown. There are four active release sites in California, one in Arizona and one in Baja, Mexico.

Our Photo of the Condors

USFWS Photo of Condor

Michelle, John and Odin: Due to the death of our friend’s grandfather we were able to see our friends Michelle, John and their son Odin just south of Los Angeles. Michelle needed someone to watch Odin during the service and the following reception. Turns out we were able to do it, so we got to see our friends from Minnesota in California! Although it was under very sad circumstances we had a very nice visit with all of Michelle’s family. We have known them since first grade, when Michelle’s sister, Jamie, and my sister and I all went to school together.

Michelle, John, Odin, dave and me

dave and Odin

Michelle’s grandparent’s house was beautiful. The house is perched on top of a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Michelle’s mom grew up in this area riding their horses on the coastline before it got developed.

View of the House from the Driveway

View from the Living Room

Exploring the Area North of San Francisco

After so much city life we needed a break and some time back in the forest. Little did I know the forest was so close to the city. Just north of the Golden Gate Bridge is Golden Gate Recreation Area and Muir Woods. It was here I had my first encounter with the BIG trees, the redwoods.

Muir Woods Entrance Sign

Muir Woods Redwoods

I have heard plenty of people tell me the feelings they get when they look at these giants but somehow I still wasn’t quite prepared for the humbling perspective that overtook me when I first gazed up the redwoods straight, long trunks. It was in the presence of these beautiful trees that the nagging voice in the back of my brain got louder, screaming at the world for the crisis we are in and the choices mankind has made to get us where we are at today. In our greedy quest for money we have destroyed vast tracks of these giants. The stories they could have told. The lessons we could have learned. All wasted in some get rich quick scheme. I was deeply saddened by the world’s loss. I now have a much better appreciation for the people who choose to fight for these forests. It is amazing to me that although there are only 5-7% of the redwood forests left, people are still actively engaged in trying to log these remaining few areas. Priorities…

Redwood Logging

Cool Quote in a Nearby Visitor Center

From Muir Woods we continued north along the Pacific Ocean on US 1. We passed by incredible sites the entire way. I felt like one of the dogs with my nose pressed up to the windows.

US 1 Coastal Scenery

Harbor Seals

In Jenner, we left the coast to find a camping spot in Armstrong Woods, another redwood grove further north. We were once again privileged to have the entire campground to ourselves. This camp spot even had a pond for Sprout to go swimming.

Armstrong Woods - Parson Jones Redwood Tree

Armstrong Woods – Downed Redwood Tree

Foggy Weather Below the Campground

Before heading back to the Bay Area we took a ride through a portion of Napa Valley to see the vineyards. Without a designated driver we decided it was better to hold off on the free wine tastings till the next time we come through this area in September 2007.

Napa Valley Vineyards

San Francisco and the Bay Area

We are fortunate enough to stay with a friend of dave’s in the Bay Area. Danny and dave used to work together for the Forest Service back in 1998. Danny, his wife Nancy and their new baby Hazel live in Oakland.

Danny and Nancy’s Backyard

Hazel

We had a large list of things we wanted to do when we were in the San Francisco area. With just over a weeks time here we have been able to accomplish most of them. We saw a punk show at a famous club in Berkeley, 924 Gilman Street. Here is a snip it from their web site: The 924 Gilman Street Project a.k.a the 'Alternative Music Foundation', is an all-ages, non-profit, collectively organized music and performance venue. We strive to provide a violence, alcohol and drug-free environment. We will not book or support racist, misogynist, or homophobic bands or performances.

924 Gilman

We saw the classic sites around San Francisco.

Golden Gate Bridge

Alcatraz

Trolley Cars

Lombard Street aka: Crookedest Street

Downtown Scenery

The main reason to race to San Francisco was for a high school friend’s wedding. We gave ourselves two hours to get into the city, find the church and park. Needless to say we did not give ourselves enough time. First we got stuck in traffic trying to get over the Bay Bridge. Then we couldn’t find a parking spot big enough to fit Hans, our van. We finally found a spot without a meter, on level ground but it was 3 miles away. We only had 35 minutes to get to the church so we had to hustle. We ran like hell UP and down crazy San Francisco hills. We arrived at the church, sweaty and by far the least dressy of the 150ish people there 30, seconds before they started walking down the aisle. But without our sensible shoes (aka: sneakers) we wouldn’t have been able to run as fast as needed. It was a beautiful wedding and as usual it was fun to catch up with old friends.

Matt and Angie

San Francisco Bound

We left Texas the first week of March with the intention of making it to San Francisco in time for a friend’s wedding the following Saturday. We knew it would be a quick trip but we were excited to cram in as much as we could along the way. Although we have avoided the major expressways in the past, we had no choice but to jump on them now and put on the miles. We didn’t stop much in western Texas or New Mexico but we were treated to some nice scenery along the way.

New Mexico Scenery

Our first stop of any importance was at my aunt and uncle’s house in Sedona, Arizona. We were only able to spend one night with them but we plan to come back in a month or so and spend a week exploring the red rock areas near their house. For now here are a few photos to spark your interest for a later blog on this area.

Aunt and Uncle (Julie and Rick) in front of their house (Notice the tip of the red rocks in the background.)

Sedona Neighborhood

On the way out of Arizona we drove through the small community of Jerome. It is perched on a mountain side and had incredible views of the valley just west of the Sedona area.

Views from Jerome

From Arizona we headed into the Mojave Desert of eastern California. This was my first time in the deserts of California. In fact I had only been to California once before and that was just recently on my way to my cousin’s funeral ceremony in Hawaii. We got to this beautiful camp spot just as the sun was going down. The camp spot was located in the mountains and had an incredible view overlooking the surrounding desert.

Mojave National Preserve Camp Spot

From the desert we started north up Hwy 5 towards San Francisco. But there are only so many large scale farms you can see before you start to go crazy. So we deviated off the major expressway and made our way back into the mountains. Relief was not far away on this new route, hardly any people, crazy twisty roads, topography, and a nice beautiful sunny day as a backdrop. Although it took us a lot longer to go this route, we didn’t mind. It was worth the detour.

East Side of the Coast Range Mountains

We finally made it into the Bay Area at the height of rush hour. Actually it seems as though rush hour never ends here! After an hour of no movement the traffic cork must have burst and we were finally at our destination, Danny and Nancy’s house in Oakland.