May 3rd, 2009 - A little painting I made these last couple of days. It's only (?) been 4 months since I said I wanted to get out those painting supplies again...I'm more than a little rusty, but all things considered, I think it came out nice. Flower is from the yard and what you see is about the actual size of the painting.

April 28th, 2009 - New beads on Etsy at Spring sale prices!

April 20th, 2009 - Thanks very much to everyone who came to the bead show this past weekend.  I really appreciate the continued love and support of my work! M :)

April 13th, 2009 - Well not much longer now until the Bead Bazaar! The details are on the home page. As always, be sure to make that bee-line straight to table 224...

April 7th, 2009 - Beautiful recent hikes in the same area of the Marin GG Park. One down to a beach called Kirby Cove. The other to another beach called Upper Fishermans.  The later can only be reached by driving down the one way road out to Pt. Bonita. After the two hikes we took a short walk out to Spencer Battery which is in the process of being renovated.

March 12th, 2009 - Short hikes last weekend in the Golden Gate Recreation Area. One to Pt. Bonita lighthouse. This amazing place has a long history dating back to the mid 1800's. The first lighthouse built in the area in 1855 had to be moved because it's location was too high and could not be seen through the fog. This lighthouse became operational in 1877 and remains so today.

Just getting to work was a challenge here. The keepers walked a path on the ridgeline to get to work until the 40s when storm erosion took away a big section of the bluff. After the collapse they used a breeches bouy, and then wooden walkway to cross the gap. Finally in 1954 the suspension bridge was built.

This suspension bridge is in serious need of repair. Only two people at a time are allowed on it. After looking at the rusted cables, lets just say I didn't waste any time in the crossing. Inside the lighthouse there were some interesting Muybridge photos of the early lighthouse, dwellings, keepers, and construction. The tower, ironwork, eagle rainspouts, and second generation fresnel len were used from the first lighthouse.

On the hike out you pass by the remains of one of the life saving stations that were used until the 40s. "Surfmen" as they were called would go out to rescue the shipwrecked individuals. And unfortunately, over the years there were a lot of them in these dangerous waters leading into the Golden Gate.

We took another short hike up to the top of  "Hawk's Hill" for the most beautiful view of the Golden Gate I've ever seen. These two little hikes gave us ideas of what we would like to explore next in the area.

February 20th, 2009- Not much happening around here lately. Days of cold and rain put me in the mood for reading and napping.

A pretty bead I made recently inspired by the pink starfish that we saw at the marine reserve. With more rain headed our way this weekend it will probably be another relaxing one...unless we decide to brave it and go on one of our favorite waterfall hikes.

February 9th, 2009 - Don't you wish all of lifes warnings were as clear? Or maybe they are, but you just go ahead anyway like we did on last weekends hike.

I did find some humor in the mountain lion warning being above the trail yield sign...yes, everyone yields to the mountain lion! Anyway, it was a pretty hike of about 5 miles with a 700' elevation change. We did see some BIG tracks through the brush in the forest, but the most dangerous creature encountered was probably the California Newt because of it's toxins...

Pretty lake at the top of the trail.

And a beautiful forest were I could rest my eyes in green.

February 5th, 2009- Last weekend J and I decided to keep the driving time short and the views long. On a past trip to the coast we had noticed some trails that lead to an area we were pretty sure was right in the middle of two previous hikes. Not having a map/elevation changes, we assumed it couldn't possibly be too difficult...after all we had already done hill 88 and Muir Beach. One little sign warning of "steep grade" should have tipped me off. And when you're thinking the trail wouldn't climb anymore it did. First the noise and crowds drop away behind us, then peeks of the city, ocean and distant hillsides, finally reaching a coastal panorama stretching for miles and miles. At the top it became apparent that yes, we were headed back down part of the same trail we had traveled up from Muir Beach on that prior hike.

That's a person standing at the horizon on the trail...

Muir Beach to the right showing part of the hike we did last year. 

January 26th, 2009- Wonderful trip down the coast this past weekend. We almost headed to Pt Reyes again because of the possiblity of seeing whales. But with the driving time being twice we decided to go south. Pulling off on a side street from highway 1 we discovered a hiking area around pacifica. For some reason we have always just continued by on our way to somewhere else, but now we know that there are fabulous trails and views just off the road. We climbed to Mori Point where Jerry did some whale searching...

Continuing down the coast we ate our picnic lunch at another spectacular pull out. Then we drove to the top of the hill at El Granada and dreamed of having that view every day. Then down to the harbor where we sat for a while enjoying the boats. By this time the tide had gone out far enough for the tidepools at Fitzgerald Marine Reserve.  The seal haul out caused the left area to be closed.

But as usual the tidepools to the right did not disappoint.

The surprising underside of the sea anemones.

On the last search out on the coral, one of the prettiest finds. The first time we have seen a pink starfish there.

We started to head back just as the clouds gathered and the rain began. So much amazing beauty! Each time we go back I'm surprised and grateful. And look forward to the next visit...

January 20th, 2009- It was beautiful this past weekend. We went for a hike at Point Reyes to a place called Hearts Desire Beach. Sunny and warm on the beach and perfectly cool in the shade. One part of the hike was about 4.5 miles to the right of the beach and the other about a mile to the left. I think we have been to every beach in Point Reyes now...time to start the visits all over again.

January 6th, 2009- Well, a new year again.  Lovely recent hike to a rare manzanita grove. It felt good to get out and walk in the beautiful California landscape. At nearly every turn I could imagine a painting. Who knows, maybe 2009 will give me the time and space to bring out the paint and canvas again...

Thanks for visiting. I took the photos above unless (of course) they are of me....

Heart Works Beads

Marcia Parker