The Stand Up For State Parks Weekend of Action was a success, with dozens of folks participating and sending us images. As I mentioned last week, I planned a mountain bike ride up to Mt. Tamalpais State Park. I got up there early last Sunday morning—amazing views—only to realize the battery in my little camera was dead! I rolled up my poster, tucked away the camera, and zipped back down the railroad grad and home. BUT, you can see some images that other folks, including some bikers, sent us.

Did you get out to a park for the Weekend of Action? If so, tell us all about it!

I have a thing for fog. I love it. It defines much of coastal California during our fantastic Mediterranean climate summers. It keeps us cool when just inland the mercury can reach 100° or higher in the summer. The ride in this morning was classic summer—fog so thick across the Golden Gate Bridge it was like pea soup! One of the best parts of crossing the GGB in thick fog is the foghorns! There are several on the bridge, one cluster mid-span (alto) and another cluster around the south tower (bass).  Click on the video to hear the big boy under the south tower.

San Francisco's first fog signal in 1857 was a manually operated cannon ignited every half hour to help guide ships! By 1860 automated bells (big ones!) were installed in several locations. Those were followed by a couple of large whistles, and soon residents were serenaded by a boisterous mix of sirens, trumpets, bells, and whistles! Eventually all become electronic, and navigation improved, but the foghorns on the GGB remain!