It’s a typical Spring day in Lake County, one where I wake up to rain clouds surrounding my home, dripping with the leftover nighttime drizzle. Oh, it’s nothing serious; the winter storms have passed, and there’s no harm in a heavy dew turned into rain.
My coffee warms my hands, and the early morning fire in my woodstove glows a bright orange. The cold metal warms as it breaks the silence with its tick, tick, tick sounds. I peer out my living room window into the clouds, checking the weather in disbelief. “Partly sunny in Clearlake,” the forecast says. My eyebrows furrow in disbelief as the newly formed oak leaves just outside my window bend to the dripping rain. I smile, reminding myself that my home is at 3,000 feet in elevation, so I’m in the rain clouds, and that yes, the weather forecast is likely accurate in lower elevations. My mind is made up. A walk at Anderson Marsh it will be.
There is something rather marvelous when winter gives way to spring. At Anderson Marsh State Historic Park, my eyes peer into the distance of soft green fields dotted by the occasional oak. The clouds, dark and forboding as is their nature, give way to balmy temperatures despite blocking the sun’s rays’ attempt to brighten the day. No, it is this battle between rain and sunshine that nature loves, no, thrives in, before summer heat wins once again. But that is weeks and even months away.
The Anderson Marsh Historical Site is easily marked by a picnic area surrounded by old wooden barns and the original homestead. A lot of history tells its tales of early European settlers and Native Americans before them, all of whom benefited from the land. A map clearly defines the trails. A longer trail headed towards Clear Lake veers to the left. It’s a lovely walk that weaves through the grasslands and then makes its way into thick oak forests. Later, the trail borders a vineyard reaching up a hillside. Eventually, it narrows a bit, weaving its way through the woods before emerging on the shores of Clear Lake: a lovely walk, but one I’ve done before.
Today, I’ll head to the marsh and the boardwalk. This trail curves around the old homestead before opening up into the fields. The well-maintained gravel trail makes the walk easy for all abilities. However, be aware of wildlife scat. It seems that local foxes are competing to see who can mark their territory the most. It’s heartwarming to see evidence of so much wildlife.
Dense vegetation and trees mark the top edge of the marsh, which is home to an abundant amount of wildlife. The most obvious are the birds. Even if one can’t see all of them, they are clearly heard everywhere. Eager to see more, I continue my walk along the marsh.
Ahead, standing on the railing of the start of the boardwalk, are two geese making their presence not only heard but felt. It would seem they had first claim. But they proved to be easily tested and not willing to pick a fight once my steps were deemed too close for comfort. Splash! They flew into the water, honking their displeasure.
Finally, the nearby highway begins to hush itself, unable to penetrate the dense forest. Birds surround, calling, singing, gossiping, all in friendly chatter. Too many birds to name, but here’s an attempt at some: the California Towhee, the Red-winged Blackbird, the Song Sparrow, and the Black Headed Grosbeak. Now I’m not a birdwatcher, but an app on my phone said that’s what I was hearing. So take it or leave it, my friends as to what I actually heard–but it is a bird paradise.
And the magic continues as the boardwalk meanders through the marsh. The word prehistoric comes to mind. It would seem quite right for a dinosaur to be munching on vegetation somewhere. But no, it’s just lizards, waterfowl, and a snake that I saw at a glance. It is the life cycle at work and all around me. I take in a deep breath, and pure life fills my lungs. It’s last year’s life and now decay that gives spring so much abundant energy and rebirth. It is nature effortlessly at work. It’s handiwork in layers of green given birth to still water.
Eventually, the boardwalk ends, and the trail begins again along Cache Creek. Or, does it abruptly end? It would seem that, with the lake this full, the trail has succumbed to the flooding creek’s ways. A trail it will be again, soon. But for now, a home for wildlife, and I could not be happier about that, as I turn to retrace my footsteps, perfectly content in every way.
And the good news about retracing one’s steps is getting to reexperience the magic all over again. And the fun of noticing new things along the way, like the plants growing on the surface of the water, and skeeters walking on water so effortlessly. I have no doubt in my mind that I will be back in the next few weeks!
What could be better than a walk at Anderson Marsh? Spending the weekend at Clear Lake Campground, renting a kayak, and exploring the waterways yourself!
Anderson Marsh State Historic Park
8400 CA-53, Lower Lake, CA 95457
