September 25, 2017 - California State Library, Mack Visit and to Mountain View

Title: September 25, 2017 - California State Library, Mack Visit and to Mountain View
Hike Info : Description 

Trail head:

Hike Info:

Type: Car : Walking

Trail: Centennial Park, Vacaville

Distance:  2.62 miles 1

Elevation Rise:  124'

Maximum Elevation: 148'

Description:
As far as walking is concerned, it is a lazy day. We mosey out of bed late, take our showers and have breakfast. The one thing which we did not like about the hotel was that they did not freshen up the room yesterday. But they added points to our best Western account. We left after 10am and head downtown.

Yesterday when we walked by the California State Library, I commented that 45 years ago when I stayed in Sacramento for the Summer, it was of some regret that I could not get to the Library when it is open-its main purpose is a repository of California information along with providing reference for the State’s elected representatives to consider during their deliberations. So I am excited today about going into the Library.

We find out that there is actually four different locations. The first librarian we talk with gives a general overview of the functions the different branches serve. This particular branch caters to the visually impaired. But she suggests we go upstairs to the historical library.

But we are stopped short of the doors of the history library by a display in the lobby of California printing. It is part of the Book Club of California. Lots of things to browse-this is why I could never work in a bookstore or as a librarian. It is like a toy store for me. There is a copy of A Memo to a Mountain Lion by Wallace Stegner which gets one thinking of what we have lost.

When we finally step into the history part, there is not much time left before we need to leave to go to Mack and Joan’s place. But the librarian is there and she enjoy’s her work and explaining how to use the library. She also finds a couple of people who are enthusiastic in hearing about the library as well-a good combination.

After spending an hour at the library, it is off to see Mack and Joan. Mack was a professor of Sherri’s and he turned into a friend of mine. He is retired and moved to Sacramento to be close to one of his daughters. We spent an enjoyable afternoon with them, including them providing lunch for us. Around 3:30, we needed to leave to go down to Mountain View.

 Heading down I-80, we got to Vacaville where there is a Fenton’s Ice Cream. Good stuff. Had a sundae and felt good. Decided that we needed to walk it off. So we found a park in vacaville called Centennial Park. Went for a two mile, fairly flat walk. Got back to the car around 6:30, around dusk. Now it is time to progress to Mountain View. Getting in at 8 can be problematically as Mom may be ready for bed. So we delay our entrance by going to In-and-Out burger for a small dinner. Then came in around 9pm.

Background

California State Library

I am not sure how to rate this. It is not something which you go to gaze at, nor something to participate in. Maybe it is a place to appreciate that we have something like this. My entry into this library was a 45 year delayed pleasure. I lived in Sacramento one summer. The draw back is this library is open only Monday through Friday, 8:30-5:00pm. No way for a working person to visit.

So on this Monday, we were able to go into the N St library-there is actually four libraries. This one houses the Blind and Read Aloud Libraries as well as the California History. We started with the Blind and Read Aloud Library. The librarian there explained the structure of the libraries under the State Library auspices. Very informative. We then went upstairs. In the entry they had a display-several display cases of the type of printing, sponsored by the Book Club of California. We spent at least 45 minutes just enjoying this display. Onward into the California History. Another very informative librarian  talked with us about the California History collection and how even their card catalogue contains over a million entries. Amazing. They collect from all sources. I could have stayed in there all day-much to my wife’s gratification, we had another place to go to before this could take place. The one disappointment: I could not get a library card to this library. But I can request materials through my library.