ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS BELIEVE...

Its been a while since I have posted to my blog and my favorite daughter-in-law (Stacey) just reminded me of that when she called to wish me Happy Birthday. That's right I'm a year older and having the time of my life. By the way, I'm 66, just incase you wanted to know.

I am still in San Jose,CA and to be honest, when I got here I knew what I wanted to do, I just did not know how to do it, or where to start. But I BELIEVED it would happen. And sure enough it did.
On February 4th I start a volunteer internship at the Golden Gate National Park and I could not be more pleased. They will give me a place to live and pay me $500.00 a month for food.(don't tell them but I would have done it for free). For the last 4 weekends I have been volunteering at the Marin Headlands and learning to give tours at the Point Bonita Lighthouse. Last week they gave me an interview for the intern position, and I got it. I think the only person on the planet who is happier than I am is my sister Ethel (she gets her bathroom back).

My commitment is for 8 month, but the best part is when it is completed I will be able to apply at any National Park in the country. So look out Yogi Bear, there's a new Brown Bear in Town.

This is the Bonita Point Lighthouse where I will be spending a lot of time over the next 8 months
and if the last 4 weekend are any indication, I'm going to have a ball.

Just let me take a moment and say to you retired folks out there, if you're tired of sitting on the couch in the winter months, watching reruns of Walker Texas Ranger and Matlock, go on the internet and google National Parks/Volunteer, you might be surprised to find there are some great adventures out there to be had. Now don't get me wrong, you don't have to be old or retired, volunteers come in all ages,sizes and colors. So think about it.


The little church in the foreground is now the visitor center for the Marin Headlands and another place where I will be spending a lot of my time. The building in the background is much like the housing where I'll be living for the next 8 months.

Ever weekend when I go to the park, I take my camera, and I say to myself, "SELF" don't take anymore photos of the Golden Gate Bridge, you have enough.

I'm sorry, every time I drive over the hills at the Headlands the bridge takes on a totally different
mood and I just can't help myself.

I love this bridge, and me and a million others are in these hills and much as possible taking photos. Below are a few more photos I've taken while at the Lighthouse or just driving in the hills of Marin Headlands.

The coastline just west of the Golden Gate.

When I spotted this group of Pelicans from the the lighthouse, it reminded me of the Blue Angles
I shot at the Cleveland Air Show.

I don't know why, but every day I have been at the Bonita Point Lighthouse at about 2:30pm
a formation of pelicans do a flyover.

Ok, just a one more shot and I'll sign off.

Sorry, I just had to do it.

Over the years, I have had some great jobs, but this is a great adventure and what I have dreamed about doing for many years. It's great to be able to live your dream.

Oh by the way, Bob got his first wash and wax job since we've been on the road and he lovin it

Bob's very happy to have a few month off the road, and maybe if he's lucky, he'll get to take that thing off his head.

Take care gang, and I'll do better with my postings. I promise.

Bob and Me

THE PRESIDIO OF SAN FRANCISCO, WHERE DID IT GO.

Please forgive me for taking such a long time between post , but I really do have other things going on. Like trying to get a volunteer position at The Golden Gate National Parks as my first volunteer spot which will enable me to volunteer in other parks around the country.

The reason I want to start with the The Golden Gate National Parks is that it use to be an army

base. And I spent a lot of time there...

Back in the late 60' after doing a year in Vietnam I was stationed at Walter Reed General Hospital on the Presidio Army Base right in the middle of one of the most beautiful city's in the world, San Francisco, CA..

After working in surgery, as a surgical scrub technician for about 6 months, I transferred to Letterman Army Institute of Research (L.A.I.R.), where I became a Surgical Research Photographer in Dental Research (pretty impressive huh).

Because I had a family (my wife Cheryl and my son Gary Jr.) the army supplied me with housing
at Fort Barry on the North side of the Golden Gate Bridge.


Above are a few views from the Fort Barry Hills and I have to say it was a wonder place
to be stationed.
Yes, this is the house where we lived and is now housing Park employees.
Back in the 70's the developers very much wanted to get their hands on this property, but the people fought to give it to the National Parks and to the people.
Hard to believe, they actually did the RIGHT THING.
I will let you know how I do with the volunteering. So stay tuned.



Bob and Me





PS...To my brother Jim, get off your butte and go play some golf in some warm weather.