Hi All,

Don and I tried to make it out to Bolinas yesterday and found the road closed. However, on the way, I took him to a place I've come to feel very at home at, The Earthquake Trail in Olema, CA. This was Don's first trip and like always, he loves to talk to people. We met some people visiting from Finland and also a gentleman from Taiwan.

I showed him the little route around the trail and where the posts mark the line of the San Andreas Fault, where I had walked with my geology class. Then we took a short hike up the stairs that lead to the fence that was displaced by twelve feet during the '06 quake. Near there is a tree that fell over, however, is still alive with the new branches coming out one side forming what appear to be new trees. These are Madrones. They have a mightly base and are wonderful for climbing. I showed Don how to do it and he told me to get down before I hurt myself. I said, "I've done it before, its easy."

Last week we took a trip over to Yountville. We didn't see much and the locals weren't in much of a mood for talking either. So what are these trips about? Catching the ethers. As I explained to Don, once you've been to a place, you catch the essence of it and you will become attunded to those vibrations. I assure all of you, its not silly at all. You form a symbiotic relationship with the place and its environment.

The last time I was at the stand of trees where the earth took that great leap in Olema, I stood under one of the trees and got the most ominous feeling. Yet, yesterday all was well.

For several days now, I've had a distinct impression the immediate Bay Area is in for a 5.5 quake. I'd give it a radius of 70 miles from the center of San Pablo Bay. I haven't got an instrument that leads me to confirm this thought process, or anything else for that matter. I can't say its immediate, but I'd put it in a time frame of 90 days.

I have much concern for those in New Britian and New Ireland and wonder what it must feel like to be bombarded by such a serious of earthquakes. I doubt one would get much rest. But I'm reminded of some things we never think about when earthquakes shake up our cities. Two years ago on I believe December 3rd, give or take a day, my friends of 30 years were about to have a funeral for their 25 year old son who died in an accident. On the morning of the funeral, at 4am a 4.2 quake rattled the Albany area, right where they live. I thought how awful it was, being they were so tired already to be awakened so early. The neighborhood had many broken windows from the event. Earthquakes know no mans schedule and do arrive at some of the worst possible times in our lives.

On Thanksgiving 3 years ago, Eureka and Redding were both shaken by 5.0 earthquakes. I had 4 people in my home and I heard one of my North Coast ear tones. I immediately asked everyone if they had heard anything. 3 or of 4 of them said yes. Shortly after, on the earthquake maps here came the quakes. I found that interesting.

So earthquake preparedness in the Bay Area seems something appropriate at this time. For our readers, take some time before Turkey Day or perhaps while you have some time off for the holiday and check your kits, make one, or set aside some water.

Hanging Ten in the North Bay....Petra Challus