Visit Angels Island

Attended the bhajans at Sausalito on Friday.The bhajans were as usual melodious,sweet and dripping with devotion. On 9 th Aug (Sun) Sai decided suddenly that we should go to Angels Island. We left so that we could catch the earliest Ferry which was leaving Tiburon Ferry Terminal at 9.30 am so that we could come back home for lunch .At the Ferry Terminal people had come with bicycles as there are good cycling tracks in the Island. The Trekkers were also all decked up; as there are good hiking trails up in the Island. Many had their knapsacks full of eatables and the inevitable Beer (!) .Overall everybody was out to enjoy themselves.

The “Ferry journey” to the Angels Island was short – maybe 15 minutes or so as the Island is not very far away from Tiburon. The place is breathtakingly beautiful and very well maintained - lush green lawns, tall lovely trees and the bay anchoring several yachts and boats. There is a small Museum which has several photographs and illustrations about the Island’s history .It goes something like this.

In 1775 “San Carlos” the first known Spanish ship to enter the San Francisco Bay, anchored in this Island. While the Commander of the ship, Lt Juan De Ayala directed the first survey of the Bay Area, he named this Island “Isla De Los Angeles (Suspiciously similar to Los Angeles isn’t it?).Since then this Island has been a Mexican rancho, a US military post ,a Bay Defence site and both a quarantine and immigration station.

There were many children, being helped by their Dads and Moms to enjoy themselves. One thing which I have noticed is that a lot of American parents devote all their spare quality time for their children-whether it is for taking them for a basketball/baseball /football game or trekking or cycling. Parents spending quality time with their children is so important for their good upbringing.

Many were enjoying their snacks/lunch packages and one school had come as a group. We went trekking for a short distance and then came back to base. In one open area a caterer’s team was cooking a sumptuous lunch for some Group and was arranging the tables. It was then that we felt that we should also come as a Group here and for an organized picnic. Came back home and had our lunch .