On this post- a day at Muir Woods, and lunch at 16th century style Pelican Inn.
Welcome to the Weekend Meander with Elizabeth and Juliet where we share our finds and other cool things.
I can’t believe Easter is a week away. Yikes. I’ve mostly been thinking about what to wear to a conference, as you know that matters – and of course as it now appears to be a rainy when I’ve been thinking about cool sandals and linen!!
Muir Woods and Pelican Inn
Have you been to Muir Woods lately? It had been almost 20 years since Max and I took our boys. Kristin was gifted a National Parks stamp book and has a goals! She bought us all tickets and made parking reservations (required now), for us to go last Sunday.
We packed into Max’s car – all five of us and left the house at 6:30 to pick up Kristin and Jack in San Mateo on the way and get there by 9 a.m.
Muir Woods National Park is about 20 minutes drive past the Golden Gate Bridge in a very special area that has fostered the tallest old growth redwoods on earth, over 250 feet tall. It’s an incredible park that is easy to walk through with boardwalks that make it accessible for everyone.
The way the paths were crafted, makes sure you take in the most beautiful vantage points of trees and forest you’ll ever see. We are lucky these Coast Redwoods, or Sequoia Sempervirens still exist, as most of this area was logged to build San Francisco. The 560 acres that are preserved was not logged as it was hard to reach.
It took us about 3 hours to walk to through. Since you need to get tickets to park, it was not crowded. When you are in the quiet spots of the park, it really is silent except for the stream. We did a lower loop and Max and the boys wanted to do a harder hike, up the hills. After 20 minutes of pure stairs, Kristin and I ditched and took the roundabout way back to the visitor center. We perused the small shop and you can buy coffee and snacks at the cafe too.
What to wear
This is a good time of year to go, though I imagine it never gets too warm there on Mt Tamalpais right off the coast. I wore these leggings, and a zip up track jacket (similar here), this hat, and a puffer jacket and sweater. This puffer is a good one to layer and I wear these hiking sneakers.
Pelican Inn
Want to time travel back to the 16th century? Just ten minutes drive from Muir Woods is Pelican Inn, a great idea after a morning at Muir Woods. This charming inn is a sunny spot near Muir Beach. It is a magnet on the weekend for hikers and bikers who like to stop for a bite and a beer on the sunny lawn, or lunch on the patio. You can stay overnight here too. The inn was built by a Brit and you would be hard pressed to not believe it hasn’t been around for centuries.
We ate lunch indoors by candle light which made me feel like I was having a meal at a ‘coaching inn’ of Jane Austen’s novels. The food was delicious. Some of us got fish and chips, and the chicken sandwiches Griffin and I had were awesome. Jackson took a pic of his fish & chips, which our Brit Kristin gave her approval of.
There were groups sitting on the lawn where you can have your food delivered and use their piles of picnic blankets. Kids ran about while adults enjoyed some socializing. I’m not even a beer drinker, but having a Guinness in the sun here looked like summertime goals.
I just loved the wisteria and made us take a family pic, much to everyone’s (well the guys) dismay.
A Muir Woods Home for Sale…
I love the area of Mill Valley near Muir Woods. It is chock full of quirky homes tucked into the hills. This home showed up on my phone for sale some reason, and I had to share it. Imagine living so close to nature and the most incredible seashore and redwoods! This makes me want to go on Facebook marketplace and buy up all the old teak furniture.
On My Radar- Madewell Winners
Last week I linked to two new shirts. Here are a few photos to go with the links…
I am obsessed with this straight hem button-up which is beautiful quality and the perfect length to leave untucked. I bought the ivory and I would like another color. I bought XS, as it runs big. They had the stripe on the mannequin which is much better in person than online and very cute too.
I tried this short with a tie, also in denim, (runs small- go up one size)…and this charming eyelet t-shirt top. I have it in the green- want the white. (I bought small.) The stretchy boatneck tank on the left runs small. I am wearing a large. (Maybe it’s supposed to be cropped?!) I’m still considering it as I dig the sagebrush color.
Also getting these links I noticed new this week there are a perfect linen shirt dress in blue, and these adorable striped pants and top. They look cute worn separate and I have noticed the matching button ups with shorts and pants are still trending this spring.
This bandana skirt and shorts are also so good!!
Madewell, is my favorite go-to for quality basics in the warmer months. There are more spring things on my ShopMy boutique !
A Charleston Home I am swooning over
Chelsea Handegan’s Charleston home is a dream. It is my idea of heaven with lovely color, beautiful collected pieces, and yet fresh and open feeling. She herself is so likable and I am dying over her green outfit and her custom pale pink walls. You can follow this talented gal on her cute Instagram.
Dismantling Our National Parks Interpretive Signs
You may have heard in the past year, how the Trump administration has been slowly removing signs at our National Parks that talk about climate change, diversity, or things like slavery. They had decided these signs, which help tell the story of America, may make people think, and they don’t like that. It’s been done largely in the dark, without notice. When someone released thousands of files on the plan, National Park’s advocate Mike Beebe took the opportunity to create a database tracking the removals. He shares what was there, what is left, and which ones are planned to be next.
Since we were just at Muir Woods, I wanted to know what was missing. Turns out the Trump administration objected to a sign talking about how the fog keeps these 250 foot redwoods (the tallest on earth) alive, and how climate change is affecting fog, which is going away. They need us to believe climate change is not affected by their oil pals who are becoming richer every day along with Trump, as we turn back wind and solar options- and double down on oil production and reliance.
Other signs that were removed at Muir Woods stated the land was home to the indigenous Miwok people, that women’s groups were the first to call for Muir Woods to be preserved, and that many of those who were part of the preservation personally held some very racists beliefs.
Go to Mike’s MissingParkHistory.org to see the full map. There are many treasured parks, and it’s happening at a breakneck speed. I am grateful to people like Mike. You can help by submitting signs or donating to the SOS (Save Our Signs) database.
Other Stuff
-One article you should read this week is, ‘Education is the Enemy’ by Jess Piper, former teacher and state rep of Missouri. This piece tells of how one state (there are others), is dismantling the public education system, and devaluing degrees and basic requirements. It’s a shocking article on her Substack (you can read for free), but important for us to know what the goals are by these Project 2025/Trump administration are to weaken education and make it less accessible to those who need it most. The reason they are the GOP succeeds so well in America, is due in part to our poor schooling here. Project 2025 and Trump are against funding any schools or students who study in the ‘liberal arts’ areas. If it doesn’t translate to instant money making, it serves no purpose to them, many who have no degrees themselves. As someone with an arts degree (a BFA in Theatre), I call BS on this.
College is a place to read, learn about the wider world, and become a well rounded human. (Just know the GOP really doesn’t want that.) One of Jess’s paragraphs here that resonated….
‘The weakening of public schools and the devaluing of teachers and the dismissal of the Liberal Arts are part of a deliberate effort to reshape America into a place where fewer people can think critically or organize collectively or question the power of those in power. The degrees that teach empathy and communication and critical thinking don’t make us “low-earning.” They make us dangerous. Dangerous to those who benefit from ignorance. They make us capable of seeing the plan and saying it out loud.’ Don’t miss the excellent comments on her post about this.
-Follow Senator Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, a great American battling the takedown of this nation daily. His Instagram is fire as the kids say. Recently he had to be in a confirmation hearing of judges and he wasn’t having it.
If you like this post, you may also like my Two Days in Carmel blog.
If you missed last weekend’s newsletter, I shared my bedding, a day trip to Carmel and the charming lunch spot, my obsession with club sandwiches, and a beach bag brand that is adorable, and sustainable.
I love you guys for being here. Have the best weekend,
Kim
A few of my hiking and walking essentials mentioned above….
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PINECONES AND ACORNS
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Kim,
I am sure you have your moments- but you are a good mom. I can tell that role has always been important to you and valued. It is hard because motherhood is not a competitive sport, but I have seen in families around me do things that seem to help set a positive tone and I try to emulate that or look to those folks for some sort of “North Star” guidance. I wish parenthood was treated as more sacred and with greater care in our country. It is not a perfect science. Okay, but Muir Woods and Pelican Inn, that went straight to the top of my CA travels wishlist. A perfect combination and a unique experience! It looks magical. That bandana skirt? That or something similar is now on my radar. I almost feel waterlogged by what this administration is doing and have been coming to the surface more rarely. This administration is going to leave a horrible scar and I am humiliated and saddened by almost every move they make. I hope there is some course correction swiftly afterwards, but I fear we are in for a long road back to reason. I only saw a still shot of Melania walking with a robot and a blurb as to why. Yes, it was disappointing, but I also had a wry laugh. I mean which one is more robotic? I just keep doing what I can for my family and my community, but even the latter is rife with some issues- as I try to stay apolitical in a public service capacity, but the times we are in- if folks get a progressive whiff and they stand for the other side- it causes tension. I have been relying too much on comfort food and just this week recommitted to not letting it impact my personal health!!! I hope you guys have a great spring!!!
Hi Nicole! Aw motherhood is so hard. I agree it’s largely a crapshoot and you hope you don’t make too many mistakes. I have been looking at old videos my husband is converting, and I can’t believe all the many, many hours I spent doing so much with my kids. It’s exhausting to watch! LOL. Yes it isn’t appreciated nearly enough- and it is so huge! You are in the tick of it and I am sure you are doing great.
Oh I hope you get to do Muir and the Inn! Love the bandana print too.
Waterlogged is the perfect description of what we are experiencing. UGH. I know the robotic Melania with her twin more like.
Be good to yourself. Happy spring to you. Sending hugs. xo
Hi Kim, Saturday morning is always enhanced by your column. You usually cover many topics which are almost always of interest to me. Thanks to you, I will be at my third No Kings rally in SLO today. You inspired me before the first one and I’m so pleased that each round has grown bigger. Let’s hope this can make a difference. And, hello, Melania? Where has she been all these years until this subject? I find this about as ironic as her choice to focus on bullying during the first Trump administration. And where did that go??
HI Wren! Aw thank you.
I’m so glad you did the No Kings! Gosh it’s great you’ve been at all three.
I just heard there were 10 million now- more than they thought. It’s just amazing to think that in no time in our history has there been such protests over a sitting president…and they grow each time. That alone is historic and encouraging.
Oh Melania. So sad she is such a zero in this position where she could change the world for better. She chooses instead to enrich herself and the tech sector. I guess the bullying was such an obvious hypocrisy, given her husband was the biggest bully on the planet !
xoxo
The trip to Muir woods and Pelican Inn looked like so much fun, and the house you shared is lovely! Thank you for sharing the information on the national parks. There is so much going on – on a daily basis – I feel on overwhelm. I will be attending a “No Kings” event later this morning. I’ve attended these before – since they are held at a busy intersection and often cars need to stop for the light – some people waiting for the light to change will revile us, but many, many cheer us on (I like to think the vast majority). The saddest thing I saw was a man on a bike yelling obscenities at us, accompanied by two young boys on bikes following him and yelling at us as well. Sad to see a future generation indoctrinated.
Hi Alexandra, Thank you. It’s such a special part of California!
I totally understand what you mean about being overwhelmed.
Thanks for being out there at the protest. We also got some obscene gestures, but mostly honking and waving and thumbs up.
They think 10 million marched last Saturday! The MAGA see it and it must be upsetting. I think that is why so many are angry and lashing out now. Many online. I hope the young get free of these ideas someday.
Let’s keep it up.
Kim! It’s so lovely to get a glimpse of Muir Woods. I haven’t been there in at least 20 years either. Great tip about the parking. That’s actually kind of nice and great if it reduces crowds. And the Pelican Inn … wow. I’m adding a return to Muir Woods with a stop at the Inn to my list. After all, Jim’s retired and we can do this stuff during the week … so why don’t we?!!! Love the Mill Valley hillside home … maybe we can go in on it together. Don’t you think we need a bolthole in that part of the Bay?! I’m sad to hear how the Trump regime’s fear of reality is effecting our local parks. What a disgrace. I wonder how we can possibly survive another three years of his menacing our country. And don’t get me started on education. He and his cohorts count on an ignorant and uninformed public to return them to office. Education, critical thinking … they fear it more than anything else. On a happier note, Madewell. I was in the store last week too and found the cutest dress but I ran out of time to share it. Anyway, I’m loving the cropped straight hem shirts on you. Thanks for keeping us up to date and aware of the latest atrocities of the administration. No Kings! xoxo
Juliet you and Jim need to get to Muir Woods and Pelican! I think the parking reservations make it much less crowded, which is great.
Isn’t that a great house? I wish we could share. I’ll ask Max.. LOL!
Yes the education piece of this Trump nightmare is one of the most scary things happening to us. I just hope they can turn all this back.
I can’t wait to see the Madewell dress! Thanks for caring too about what the heck is happening. xo
Good ole MT. Her timing sucks (not to mention her choice of SO). First, she goes before the UN to talk about promoting peace keeping children safe…unfortunately, it was a just days after her idiot sidekick and his Petey friend had bombed a children’s school in Iran. Sickening irony. And then, I was overseas when I saw a photo of her and the humanoid robot. And all I could think was…which one was the robot?
Keep fighting the good fight, Kim.
Mary I have to laugh. Which is the robot is exactly it! She really sets herself up for these things… or someone in the administration does! Oh gosh I had not heard of the UN talk…right after the school bombing.Wow.
Just horrible.
Thank you Mary for being here. x
Kim, as I heard on Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me, if they pay those robots what they currently pay human teachers, the robots are certain to rise up against us. Pretty sure they can’t be counted on to “be best.”
Hubby went to No Kings today while I nursed my cold at home. I was there in spirit! 🇺🇸❤️💪🏻
Sarah that’s the truth isn’t it? So funny. I was hoping the robot would malfunction or something…
Oh gosh feel better and take care of yourself. Sending hugs.
Hi Kim,
I joined my city for our No Kings March earlier today. We had another wonderful turnout! I just hope it will lead to better outcomes in the nation as a whole but also in my very red state. Our governor rushed through a horrible law that now allows private school parents to take money from our public schools to pay for their private school tuition. Needless to say, those vouchers are already hurting our public schools terribly.
Your Muir Woods pictures are beautiful—what a lovely walk that must have been. Yet another place you’ve highlighted that I need to add to my CA bucket list!
Hi Michelle, That’s great to hear! Looks like we got to the 10 million mark!
I was very inspired to see some small towns and big cities in red states have big turnouts.
I keep hearing about these vouchers and they are a real scam. Who ever thought taking public school money and giving it to the private schools was a good thing? I can’t believe this was approved anywhere.
I hope you get to Muir Woods someday. xo
Kim, what a great read today! Touched on a few subjects I certainly can relate to….
Way back in the early 80’s, after meeting a lovely older couple on a cruise from Acapulco to LA, we were invited to spend time at their home in the valley near Visalia CA where they had an ‘orange ranch’. .. thought that was a strange name then. We all took a drive to the nearby Sequoia Forest…amazing sight. Your Muir Woods jogged my memory . Now living on mid Vancouver Island , one of my favourite places in Qualicum Beach is the Heritage Forest , located across from a beautiful seaside golf course … the acres of woods were saved from destruction by locals three decades ago.
Several 300 -400 year old evergreens still stand , overlooking a stream trickling down to the Salish Sea nearby. Just walking there this afternoon… bliss. Of course, on a very densely forested island, other old growth forests have been successfully saved from logging by public demand.
As a former elementary school teacher , I cringed at what the Trump administration thinks is the brilliant future of education. I remember many years ago watching Oprah discuss the sorry state of education funding in many parts of the US and the appalling wages of teachers in so many districts. I guess not much progress is being made in many areas.. .the opposite.
I just saw on CBC news many well attended and very vocal demonstrations today in the US , and was heartened to see attendance as well in cities across Canada 🇨🇦 … Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal .
I applaud you ,Kim , for your continued attendance at these events. November is going to be very interesting viewing from across the 49 th parallel. Things will change for the better…I have faith.
Hi Cath, Nice to hear from you!
Oh Visalia is a neat spot. How cool you got there and I love the orange orchard! I bet those sequoias were near Sequoia national Park. I’ve been once and those trees are the widest in the world! I need to see more of Canada. It sounds so incredibly beautiful. I am going to Vancouver area in June for my nephew’s wedding. I hope to see more of it! How wonderful that area you talk of was saved.
I didn’t knew you were a teacher? I think that is the most important job. We are so lucky to have any left in this nation, and as you say, we have a lot of work to make education a priority here. The disparities among schools need fixing and teachers need to be paid so much better.If we want a good future, we need smart kids, and we can’t get that without great teachers. To get them, we need to pay well.
Hoping thing change in November!!
Good evening Kim,
I love all of your posts, but my favorites are when you are with the whole family. I can feel you smiling through the post, if that makes any sense.
Muir Woods looks amazing! I have heard of it but have not visited, one more things to add to my bucket list. A natural wonder to be sure. Do you have any photos from your visit there 20 years ago? Maybe you will come across one when Max compiles your photos this year?
As for the Pelican Inn, so cute and right up my alley. Not the beer or the fish but everything else.
I am so sad that I will not be meeting with you all this week, but I know it will be amazing. Travel safe and whatever you wear you will loos as beautiful as you always do.
Have a lovely weekend.
xo
Hi Kim,
You covered so many great topics, always enjoy reading your blog! I too love to see your family out enjoying quality time together. It’s very peaceful being in such a beautiful place soaking up nature. We definitely need that! On a similar note, (and a reader mentioned), in the Central Valley – Sequoia Nat’l Park, Kings Canyon Nat’l Park and of course Yosemite Nat’l Park have giant Sequoia trees similar to the Coastal Redwoods you visited. So many unique treasures in our Golden State.
I like many, have had to severely limit the news I watch, as it’s overwhelming and depressing, but I appreciate all the time and effort you devote to keeping us informed. Thank you!
And I wonder if you’ll consider sharing the process Max is using to convert your videos from the kids growing up? It’s something the hubs and I have either tried without success or considered having done (quite costly and they’ll still be unedited). Ours are High 8 videos and just finding a camera to play them is challenging.
The Madewell pieces are very cute on you! Spring is such a fun time of the year for fashion and still so many sales going on. Have fun next week at the conference. 💗
My family has many . many teachers! They are valued and always consulted for help with education of the children in our extended family. My mother was teacher who taught in a small town for so many years that she had grandchildren as students of her original group of kids. When she retired she was asked to continue in the afternoon as a reading tutor but was worn after 30 years . I have taught CPR, first aid, bedside nursing and other topics in the Navy. One of my children taught culinary skills in high school for several years. Attending college and becoming interested in a wide variety of topics was so important. Learning Portuguese and attending Brazilian student club events was wonderful while in college. This could never have happened if I had not gone to a university. I cannot believe the dumbing down of education and the anger directed at social sciences by this administration. We must not let this continue. My relatives in Europe are appalled. Education there is valued and supported. Many of our scientists are leaving this country to work elsewhere due to this mindset of trashing education and research. This is not a guess but a reality according to my contacts in France where the institutions have actively courted people from the US involved in cancer studies, for example. Thank you for the pictures of Muir..lovely.
It is wonderful seeing such a close and happy knit family, especially when the world is in such a mess. I have decided politicians, in most countries, are self serving narcissists. We just had an election in my state of South Australia. Seriously, the candidates included one who couldn’t canvass his electorate as he was wearing an ankle bracelet (he was on bail on domestic violence charges). The former leader of one party was running as an Independent after being filmed with his face shoved in a bowl of cocaine, another was kicked out his party for misuse of party funds. In the end, we just had to laugh about how poorly served we are by those who are supposed to run the place. As for Trump, I was standing in line at the supermarket checkout with the newspaper in my hand. An elderly lady (in her 80s) was looking at the photograph of Trump, when she burst out ‘he looks like a sleazy lizard’. I think he has gotten himself into a terrible mess with Iran and is not sure how to extricate from the situation, without having to eat an oil tanker of humble pie
Kim, you stopped my heart and seeing the gorgeous pics of Muir Woods had me once again terribly homesick for Marin county. Hiked this trail many times and Mt. Tam. When we lived in Stinson Beach we walked right out our backyard and up the trails to Mt. Tam. The hikes throughout the nature are just the best. Being out in nature helps to stomach all the crap that’s going on under the Felons direction. The war, loss of life the whole thing sickens me. I’m trying to limit myself to view all the political shows. Sunday Morning is a welcome change, I’m a fan of Jane Pauley. In fact I see her on Zoom next Tuesday. I have two friends that will be joining me.
Katherine, I thought of you when I was up there! I knew this was your place. What a wonderful area.
You are so right abut being in nature. Jane Pauley is great isn’t she? xo