We awoke at 5am with visions of being ready to head out by 6. At 6:30am we finally left, after the bus was packed, our water bottles were filled, our daypacks set with clothes for our first school visit at Claire Lilienthal, and we had eaten enough to sustain us for at least a couple hours. Right away we got an amazing view of the city at sunrise, with skyscrapers showing through the Golden Gate bridge. With fingers frozen we pedaled on, through tunnels and back across the bridge in order to be changed and ready to facilitate program with 8th grade students (almost all of whom visited Catalina this Fall) by 7:45am. Whew!
Upon arrival we noticed potted plants in sections of the parking lot. The plants were not there in previous years, and it was great to visit this school and see its progression, getting greener every year. Each area even had a sign that identified which classroom had worked on what area. This commitment to the students' roles in changing the school's natural asthetics in a very urban setting helps us understand just how students can take our lessons on Catalina home with them. Their dedication to our program, their support for the bike trip, and responsibility to the environment are inspiring to us riders. Seeing ecological principles and values we talk about in action are an indication that we have willing and listening ears for the message of bettering our world, for everyone.
One aspect of the visit focused on the decrease of open space, particularly in the bay area. Claire Lilienthal is located just a few blocks from the water and where it stands used to be wetlands. From the mid 1800s through the late 1900s more than a third of the original bay was filled in and often built on. Through planting native plants at the school we are able to open up a dialog with students about how our actions can leave a positive impact. With a little time and energy students will continue to see the creation of new green spaces in their communities.
San Francisco serves as a fabulous example of how to make being environmentally aware a city wide expectation with green trash cans for composting. Convenience is often a factor in society's choices, and with city wide composting some environmental choices just got a whole lot easier to make.
Tomorrow we are looking forward to another early departure to make a 20 mile ride to Almaden Country School where we will visit with students who attended CELP last month and some who will visit us in years to come.
Life is like riding a bicycle - in order to keep your balance, you must keep moving. ~Albert Einstein
Written By: Abigail & Danny
Miles rode: 56
Flats: none
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