FAIR OAKS BLUFFS December 3, 2005

On the verge of a major lifestyle change, I took advantage of this beautiful fall day to visit what gets my vote for being the most beautiful place in Sacramento County (Carpenter Hill once took a possible second, before the development of Folsom, CA, started about ten years ago)! I ran my usual business this morning, then had some dim sum and sushi for lunch. Seeing that I may be committing myself to being a lot more in town, I had better like it!

Riding light rail, RT Metro, out to Sunrise Station (1.75 one way fare), I viewed the new artwork, there, then boarded the bus (.25 extra for a transfer) to another bus stop along Sunrise Boulevard. I walked southward through the main part of the town of Fair Oaks, CA.

There was a ongoing festival of sorts, with artwork and curios, set up by booths. Apparently, it was a fund raiser for the local Fair Oaks Bluffs Park and Preserve. They need to raise 120,000 dollars to buy the land. I bought a chili dog, with cheese and onions, for two dollars. Good deal!

Enjoying the exhibits, I continued sauntering south along Fair Oaks Boulevard. Gas here was 2.219, the lowest I've seen for awhile.

The California International Marathon is set to run here, the next day. There felt like some excitement in the air. This attracts some two thousand runners from all over the world. It's a good op for locals to test themselves, too. My speed, now, is to walk the distance, when I am having a good day on the bike trail.

Leaving the festivities, I took Bridge Street to the bluffs. Signs were posted. There is still a bit of fall color. I have enjoyed, over the years, the trees with overhanging roots. It looks improbable that they wouldn't fall over. But, it seems, for one of them, that it may be this year. Heavy rains may loosen the ground. There would be some safety concerns, here, as a boater or fisherman on the river could be struck by a tumbling cluster of branches.

I hiked along the top of the bluffs. It is only a couple hundred yards of open space to protect. The Northern Sierra can be seen from here. The Crystals were socked in with snow. A backcountry ski trip could be in order, already.

One person was playing his drums. Some other kids had come up and left their bikes. Maybe 100 feet above the river, it is now already part of the American River Parkway, by the signs.

After my usual photos, I crossed over the Old Fair Oaks Bridge. Many people come here to enjoy a short walk. There is some history, and plenty of birds to see, and today, a lot of sea gulls. I saw a plop from some fish. The salmon are finishing up their run, I am told.

I took a panorama set of photos, and they turned out pretty good. The sun was setting. I walked out south from the Parkway, onto Sunrise Boulevard. I would wait for 20 minutes at a bus stop. Lots of traffic. Terrible, even on a weekend evening.

The bus came by to take me to a light rail station. Hardly any riders. The ride on the train went smoothly, and I was home to watch the nightly news.

I hiked some one mile, with slight loss today, instead of gain. I shot about 105 images, with a few movie clips. Used only the two RT tickets, plus the 50 cents for the transfers. I did wear two moderately heavy layers over a light third. It was chilly in any wind.

BACK TO PETE'S THOUSAND PEAKS HOME PAGE