Wildlife Refuge:

We finally set up beside a playground near one of the ‘bird islands’ Lake Merritt is the oldest wildlife refuge in the nation; it was dedicated in 1865. Starting in 1915, five artificial islands were constructed as refuges for the thousands of migratory and local birds. You can see egrets, heron, coots, comorants, geese, gulls, grebes and others.

We attracted the interest of one young father who has lived in Oakland for only three months. We shared with him the stories and questions of the people we have talked with so far. And we also spoke with an out-of-town couple who are tandem bikers about the pleasures of riding double.