We previously shared how to take a “mindfulness walk” along our beautiful Two Rivers Trail. Now, here is additional information on how to access this wonderful gateway to nature.
Township 9 Park
The trail entrance is a short walk from the street, which has ample free parking. The trail runs alongside vast areas of open grasslands and young trees. I walk slowly and stop often to look at details of what I see. Leaves are slowly turning brilliant red. I watch hummingbirds fly quietly from tree to tree. Other birds call out to each other. Canada Geese honk loudly approaching the water, stretching out their webbed feet far in front of them, preparing to touch down and ski in. Watching their splash down always makes me smile. The river changes color from shades of green to blue. Trees reflect like mirrors in still waters of the American River.
I continue walking past a series of Cottonwood trees, growing in abundance alongside the shore. Their leaves flutter in the wind. A cool, gentle breeze blows across my face. I take deep breaths in and out to fully experience the fresh morning air. As the breeze continues to blow, I watch ripples form and circles expand on the water. The distant hum of traffic is overrun by the blended songs of birds calling from many trees. Canada Geese continue their honking.
Far across the river on the North Shore, I notice long, dense stretches of shrubs and trees.
What started as a chilly morning has warmed to 57 degrees. I feel the warm sun on my face. Egrets fly over in addition to more Canada Geese. One boat floats silently in the water.
Tiscornia Park: Confluence of American and Sacramento Rivers
I arrive at the park on a Sunny Sunday afternoon and the beach is near empty. Far more gulls stand quietly in the water than people sitting on the beach. A young couple with a small child walk across the sand, putting feet in the water and enjoying the panoramic view.
A man sits in his car holding binoculars up to his eyes. He shouts, “Where are the seals?” He waits and watches impatiently for seals to emerge from the water.
Here at the Confluence, the “experience of place” is altogether different. Located off Jibboom, this park is distinctive because it is the only beach located in downtown Sacramento. The Confluence specifically was the former home of the Maidu and Wintun people who considered themselves “Water People.”
As the trail reaches Tiscornia Park at the Confluence, I see a long stretch of sandy beach and follow it with my eyes as the beach winds around a corner and out of sight. Across the river, I see a smaller patch of sand. Trees line the trail at Tiscornia Park. Picnic tables await visitors.
As I sit quietly on the beach watching the scene, I see a few random splashes from seals at the center of the river corridor. A small part of one seal’s body emerges for a second or two at most. According to visitors, seal watching is part of the daily visitor experience.
I walk the beach and notice a series of round shell fragments dotting the sand as if they were freckles. Where did they come from? How did they get here? I also notice sets of seagull prints, footprints, dog prints, and bicycle tire tracks crossing the sand.
Dozens of gulls sit quietly and fly without making a sound. It is unusual for gulls to be so quiet and still for long. At other suburban stretches of the American River, I watch them in almost constant motion, as they change positions in the water and call out to each other.
I watch a parade of small and larger boats pass by. Each time, their wake creates ripples in the water and within minutes small waves wash up on the shore. Seals continue to bark far to the south and out of view. Seal splashes continue. Peacefulness of this place is a welcome retreat. Only clue this beach is near bustling downtown is looking far to the left at buildings on the opposite shore. A few blocks away, hundreds of cars thunder across I-5 freeway.
Native Americans are former residents of the American River. Diana Almendariz, a Heritage Cultural Practitioner of Maidu/Wintun and Hupa/Yurok traditions, presented a brief history of her family at the Delta Heritage Forum, on Friday November 15, 2024. Her family includes members from all four traditions. She described her family’s dependence on water at the Confluence to fish and get the Tules. When family members were thirsty, they simply walked into the river and took a quick drink. Almendariz added there was so much sunlight every day, families used the sun to dry their meat; including salmon and elk. Some food they traded with tribes from other regions for items families needed.
Robert T. Matsui Waterfront Park: Urban Waterfront
This urban waterfront park features nearly 2 acres of trees and green spaces, and is now home to the Hanami Line, a Japanese-inspired cherry blossom park. Over 100 trees were planted here in 2024 which will eventually produce beautiful cherry blossom canopies each spring, which visitors will be encouraged to picnic underneath. Its entrance sits alongside Museum of Science and Curiosity (MOSAC). The bicycle/walking trail continues as it connects Old Sacramento to Discovery Park. There is a limited number of parking spaces available at the park, or ample spaces (particularly on evenings) at MOSAC, which is a city lot which users must pay to park in.
By Janice Kelley
