Adventure 080 - Rush Ranch Open Space

Capture California, the Game-2012

Adventure: 080 - Rush Ranch Open Space

Team: Thing One, Thing Two

Date:  September 21, 2012

Location: Rush Ranch Open Preserve, Suisun City

Description:
Rush Ranch Open Preserve was a bit of a drive as it is located approximately 2 miles south of Highway 12 in Suisun City on Grizzly Island Road. When we were driving there we saw signs that said not to go on the road during high tide—Thing One and Thing Two do not need to worry about high tides in Fresno, so we were a bit perplexed, but survived. Solano Land Trust bought the property, and it is free for the enjoyment of the community. There are three trails to explore on the property. See Adventure 008. Hike 129 to see the hike we completed at Rush Ranch. The ranch still operates as a working ranch.

This place is a ‘go to place’ for Field trip for local area schools. Thing One and Thing Two would have loved to had more time to explore this area. But alas another trip back to Fairfield will need to be planned.



From various sources, we learned that the area is the longest remaining estuary off the San Francisco Bay/Delta area. It is a brackish tidal marsh habitat. Others estuaries have been filled in for development. Duck Hunters, wanting to preserve the habitat, were responsible for saving this area. They also own a good deal of the marshes around Rush Ranch. It is too bad that we do not have the common sense to save these kinds of areas. John McKinney in his book A Walk Along Land’s End talks about the lost estuaries as he was walking up the coast to put the trail down for the California Coastal Trail. It is only when a disasters like Hurricane Katrina hits New Orleans do we realize that the benefits of estuaries. They not only acted to prevent the water from rushing inland but provided wildlife habitat.