SPRING LAKE PARK

LAST WEEKEND I TREATED MYSELF TO ANOTHER LONG HIKE AT SPRING LAKE PARK. THE WEATHER WAS BEAUTIFUL AT AROUND 70 DEGREES. THEY HAVE A NICE PAVED TRAIL AROUND THIS SPRING FED LAKE AND THEY HAVE TWO DIFFERENT DRIVE IN KIOSKS. I HELPED THE PARK PLANNERS BACK IN THE 80'S DEVELOP THE VISITOR CENTER. I HELPED THEM ADD A BASALT STORYTELLER'S CAVERN FOR TEACHERS AND OTHER NATIVES TO GIVE TALKS. MOST PEOPLE ENTER THE PARK FREE. AND HIKE ON THE DIRT AND CEMENT TRAILS. THERE WAS SOME MUD, BUT THE REST OF THE TRAIL WAS GREAT. WE NOTED CORMORANTS, GULLS,GEESE, AND GOSLINGS WERE FEEDING ON THE LAKES TO CATCH FISH. THE MAIN LAKE IS SPRING FED AND THEY HAVE A CAVERN THERE WHERE THE SPRING IS.

I POINTED OUT TO SOME PEOPLE THE SOAPROOT WHICH IS VERY GREEN IN THE WINTER AND HOW TO USE THE SOAP FOR HEALING YOUR SKIN OF POISON OAK. THEY ALSO HAVE SOME NATIVE BUNCH GRASS THAT WAS TRADITIONALLY USED BY THE POMO FOR FLOUR.

THERE WERE SOME PEOPLE KAYAKING AND FISHING HERE . THERE WAS A PADDLING CANOE AS WELL. THERE WERE MANY PEOPLE WALKING THEIR DOGS AND PUSHING BABY STROLLERS. SOME OF THE CHILDREN WERE JOGGING IN SHORTS . ONE LADY WAS ON ROLLER SKATES. THEY HAD DOGS WALKING WITH THEM THAT DRANK THE LAKE WATER AND SWAM IN THE LAKE.