So what happened was, I was looking into an interesting job that would’ve required relocating on the other side of the country. Didn’t pan out so it looks like I’ll be here for the duration. Which, given the surroundings, is…
Calero County Park
Latest Hikes column: Calero County Park
by tom • January 18, 2008 • 0 Comments
This was posted yesterday but I got busy: It’s all horses and flowers at Calero County Park. Calero, near the southern edge of San Jose, is one of Santa Clara County’s most popular equestrian destinations – it even has corrals…
Saving California's state parks
California state parks: more thoughts on keeping them open
by tom • January 16, 2008 • 4 Comments
Excellent suggestions have been pouring in (here’s the link to all comments on yesterday’s post), which has the salubrious effect of sparing me the trouble of having to think up good ideas of my own. So, thanks folks. A post…
Saving California's state parks
What are we going to do to save our state parks?
by tom • January 15, 2008 • 9 Comments
That is, save our ability to hike in them? Is it enough to send pleadings to lawmakers or should we take more direct action? I’d like to hear other people’s suggestions before throwing any ideas of my own out into…
Almaden Quicksilver County Park
Hiking through history at Almaden Quicksilver County Park
by tom • January 14, 2008 • 2 Comments
“I never knew any of this was back here,” Zack the Eagle Scout says. We’re at Alamaden Quicksilver County Park, the site of what used to be a massive mercury-mining operation with shafts and tunnels bored all over the hills…
Hiking
Update on the parks closings
by tom • January 12, 2008 • 0 Comments
Best news so far: They wouldn’t happen till Jan. 2009, if they happen at all. Opposition is already lining up: “We’re extraordinarily upset, and frankly angry at this attack on California’s treasured state park system,” said Elizabeth Goldstein, president of…
Almaden Quicksilver County Park
Interesting Scout project at Almaden Quicksilver County Park
by tom • January 12, 2008 • 2 Comments
A local Eagle Scout went out to Almaden Quicksilver and put together a 6.5-mile “participatory history hike,” linking old mining sites at the park. He printed a brochure with a guide to all the sites and included a quiz —…
Saving California's state parks
Anybody got $14.5 billion lying around?
by tom • January 11, 2008 • 8 Comments
That’s the difference between how much money California expects to rake in next year via taxation, fees and such, and how much it would like to spend. As mentioned yesterday, 48 state parks are on the governor’s chopping block. When…
Saving California's state parks
Henry W. Coe State Park on Arnold’s chopping block
by tom • January 10, 2008 • 12 Comments
I don’t have all the details just yet, but I’ve learned that our beloved Henry Coe State Park is among the parks and beaches that would be closed under Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s budget. Here’s the first draft of the budget…