Road Trip to Marine Headlands

 

After not leaving the park (except for shopping), it was time for a road trip!  Earlier that week I had seen a production of “On the road with Rob” on TV where he visited the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito.  It seemed like it would be an interesting place to visit.  So I called up a friend, John, to see if he would like to go on a road trip.  Every 2nd and 4th Sundays they have a free Science talk at the center, (subject changes each month).  That’s where we headed early Sunday morning.  Angel had to stay home and fellow workamper, Jeanne would check on her and take her for a walk.

 

Just some of the literature that I picked up to learn about the area. 

                            

Not only is the Marine Mammal Center located in the Headlands, but the Headlands was also occupied by the military from WWII throughout the Cold War.  

  

  

         

                                              More information signs.

     This facility has the largest marine mammal rehabilitation hospital in the world.

                                

After we left the Center we explored the area, taking all the side roads.  Above is Fort Cronkite.  Right near there is Rodeo Beach where there were a lot of people picnicking and surfing.  From there we drove up towards the lighthouse past the Nike Missile Site (which, unfortunately was closed until later in the week- that’s another trip)

     

At the top of the Headlands are located the Batteries, this one is Battery Wallace where there was a big gun protecting San Francisco and the west coast during WWII.

  

  

When you look to the east the views are magnificent.  The Golden Gate Bridge would come in and out of view because of the Marine Layer.  Most of the time you couldn’t even see the city of San Francisco.  I could have stayed there for a long, long time, except for the wind, (and the crowds).  I’ll have to go back during the week and maybe do some  painting.  These pictures just can’t compete with the real thing.

From here we stopped for lunch in Sausalito and then did a little wandering over to Tiburon and then back to Hwy 101 and home.  All in  all it was a nice trip.  Neither one of us had been to the Marine Headlands, even though John has lived in CA all his life and the closest that I had been was to the Battery overlooking the bridge and Fort Baker.  That will be another trip.  If you are out this way and get a chance, check it out.  (Just a “heads up” , There is a one lane tunnel that may have up to a 5 minute wait depending on traffic when entering the headlands off of 101.)

I hope that you all are having a great summer.

Thanks for visiting

Are you sure I can’t come with you?

Susan and Angel