I don't think I'm going to make it on Wednesday, since I get to express
my American right to work every day. But it's a lovely area, not far
from where I grew up.
Green Gulch Ranch is just up the road from Muir Beach. It used to belong
to my god-father's father. He gave it to the Buddhists so he could piss
off the IRS to the maximum extent possible. I don't know if his
collection of Tom Lehrer records went with the property or the Zen monks
play them.
There is a great hike from the Tennessee Valley Road trailhead to Muir
Beach and the Pelican Inn. There actually are two trails, one that goes
closer to the coast, and a more direct route, so you can do a loop. Both
routes are gentle, and the views are spectacular. A good way to work up
an appetite for a pub lunch, and work it off.
On 11/3/25 6:10 PM, Rick Moen via Basfa wrote:
Guy Fawkes Day beckons! As a beloved annual tradition, on Wednesday,
Nov. 5th, I wanted to invite BASFAns to join me in Muir Beach, Marin
County to celebrate Guy Fawkes Day, part of our British heritage. I'll
be driving up from West Menlo Park about 1pm, stopping only in West
Portal to get some Irn Bru.
You might have questions.
Q: What's Guy Fawkes Day, and why should I as an American care?
A: It's the annual celebration of the Gunpowder Plot being defeated, in
1605 London. We're an escaped British colony, so it's part of our
heritage.
Q: What, are you British?
A: No, laddie, I'm Norwegian-American. But I learned to love Guy
Fawkes Day in British Hong Kong, in the '60s.
Q: What's Irn Bru?
A: The quintessentially Scottish soft drink. Try it; you'll like it.
Eezy Freezy on West Portal stocks it.
https://www.facebook.com/eezyfreezysf/
Q: What's going to happen in Muir Beach?
A: Well, first I'll be hanging out inside or outside of the charmingly
English Pelican Inn. https://www.pelicaninn.com/guy-fawkes/ . On Guy
Fawkes Day, the trick is to get there EARLY, as it fills up (maybe not
in 2025, though, because weather). But, if you get there early, you can
enjoy a pint of good ale and bangers 'n' mash in peace.
Q: Earlier than what?
A: After dark, there's a cheery, torchlit pedestrian parade from the
Inn down a trail to adjacent Muir Beach, where there will be a couple of
bonfires for the ceremonial Burning of the Guy (the effigy of key
conspirator Guy Fawkes). Remember the rather confused metaphor about
him in "V for Vendetta"? That Guy.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gunpowder_Plot
Q: So, you're going to be sitting around from about 2 pm until, what, 8pm?
A: Probably. I'm bringing my e-book reader. And a Norwegian sweater,
and a windbreaker. And a brolly, because National Weather Service
predicts charmingly authentic British wind and rain.
Q: Are you saying I can hitch a ride?
A: Three of you can, sure. I'm reachable at (650) 283-7902
.
Q: In what?
A: Hilariously small Honda Fit econobox. Nope, not British.
Q: Why?
A: I dunno, maybe because it's different. Maybe you like the coast,
bonfires, rustic pubs, and sitting with a pleasant crowd waiting for a
pedestrian parade. Don't knock it until you try it.
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--
Tom Becker
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http://www.susanwoodproject.org
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