The fog clung overhead, as we waited patiently with our bicycles for the ferry, watching the pier slowly came alive with people. Anxiously anticipating our excursion, Kade and Chayse rolled up and down the wharf. Finally the ferry arrived, and soon we were cruising across the bay to Angel island.
We debarked last, pushing our bicycles down the gangplank. The brisk bay breeze greeted us as we sought out a map of the island. Soon we were pedaling down the trail--but only for a brief moment before it was
up the trail!
This brick hospital sat alone atop the hill.
Evidently we were a curious sight as we continued down the trail.
We rolled down the hill into Camp Reynolds. During the Civil War, the federal government established a couple garrisons on the island to prevent attacks on the Bay Area by Confederate sympathizers.
My rolling days were short lived, as I had a flat tire. Adeptly Ron tackled the challenge with our emergency patch kit.
As we sat on the road quietly, we heard a tapping. This little woodpecker was next to us searching for breakfast!
Finally, the tire seemed ready to roll again, so we trekked back up the looonnng hill.
The morning fog started to lift and blue skies peeked through.
The dynamic views made the climb worthwhile as we kicked off spring break with Kade and Chayse.
The scenery not only took my breath away...but also the last of the air in my tire...again.
Ron and Kade took the wheel off and headed back down to the dock where a bike rental shop stood in hopes that we might be able to buy a new tube. The request for help was met with some resistance, but eventually Ron talked them into letting him buy a tube for twice the market price. Then they reluctantly allowed him to use their hand pump even though the air compressor stood silently next to it. Wheel in hand, Ron headed back up the trail with Kade in the lead.
As we waited Chayse convinced me it was lunch time, so in the warmth of the emerging sun we dined bayside gazing across the horizon at the Bay bridge, San Francisco, and the Golden Gate.
Chayse discovered that the vibrant flowers nearby were the California state flower.
Soon our boys returned, ready for lunch too!
Reluctantly, we left our scenic vista and resumed our ride around the island--enjoying the freedom of the downhill ride and feeling the burn back up the hill.
History came alive as we rolled by the landmarks. As we neared the end of our journey, we paused at the immigration center that opened in 1910. Once again I stood on the dock where the immigrants welcomed the sight of land after crossing the Pacific Ocean.
Then we climbed all the steps into the Immigration Station Museum.
After recent visits to the National Archives, I read several typed interviews that occurred here...in this room...probably typed on the typewritier...
Actually, it was more of an interrogation process, and it required waiting (it was after all, a government process).
Cramped quarters were an understatement.
And it inspired the poetry of heartache.
Kade discovered carved artwork on the walls--even though it had been painted over.
As we roamed the stark quarters, we could only imagine what life was like here 100 years earlier.
Standing in the quietness of history is oft the most powerful lesson.
