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Get ready for an all new
Rob on the Road: Great Getaways!
>>You don't tire of this place. It is truly a magical place.
Immerse yourself in the magical views of
Point Reyes National Seashore during a seaside excursion.
>>Standing here is just magical.
I've been all across this state.
I have not seen a prettier spot. Plus....
>>We're about 20 miles north of San Francisco.
We're rock-in' out here.
>>Right! We'll hit the high seas on a
whale watching ship bound for the pacific.
And later....
>>Oh my God! I'll take you up-close and personal....
>>Stay back a foot, Rob....
....with lions, tigers and bears oh my!
Rob on the Road: Great Getaways starts now!
It's Rob on the Road discovering the stories that capture the
unique spirit of Northern California.
Hi there, I'm Rob Stewart
along the American River in Coloma, California.
Are you ready for a great getaway.?
Well, how about three?
I wanted this show to take you on several journeys:
one that is exhilarating, one that is adventurous,
and the other simply breathtaking,
a place that you've got to visit.
Point Reyes National Seashore in Marin County California,
one of the most visited places in the national park system!
♪
♪
>>Oh John, this is breathtaking!
Look at this view. This is Tamales Point?
>>This is Tamales Point,
and it's also referred to as the Tule Elk Range.
>>Yeah, we saw a lot of elk on the side of the road,
dozens of elk as we drove out here.
>>That's right . There are about 450 elk
just located on this peninsula here.
>>Why here? Why this area?
>>These elk, first of all, are endemic to California.
They are found nowhere else.
And one point in time, there was about
a half a million Tule elk in California.
Those numbers dwindled to very low double digits
if not only single digits. Nobody knows for sure.
The elk were introduced here back in 1978 with a
very small number, about a dozen animals.
And now we're up to over 450 of them.
>>Standing here is just magical. This view really is stunning.
I've been all across this state.
I have not seen a prettier spot.
>>This is a very spectacular area.
We have Tamales Bay and all of it's tributaries like
Walker Creek just right in front of us.
That's just one half of the view.
The other half is the Pacific Ocean.
So you can take it all in with this one point here.
>>And it's so vast. You really feel the
enormous size of the ocean because it surrounds you.
>>It really does.
>>This is a really great place for people to come in groups.
But it's also a great place to come by yourself.
I would like to
come by myself and sit and soak all of this in.
>>You know, the whole point of solitude is really
reinforced in my mind when I come to work everyday.
And yeah, there are places where
it's very busy at the seashore?
And there are place where you can get away.
>>So is it okay for people to come off the road,
like we're doing here, and walk over to the grassy area?
Is this alright?
>>It is alright. We don't always encourage it.
It's certainly fine to do. We encourage people to stay
on the hiking trails that we have.
We have 150 miles of hiking trails here plus 80 miles of
beaches and coastline.
>>Tamales Point, this is stunning!
And we have a lot more to see.!
>>We do, we do!
♪
John, this is a must-see at Point Reyes National Seashore.
These bluffs are stunning.
>>They really are. This is truly an amazing place.
I'm glad that you've got that experiencing it for the first time.
>>Well it took my breath away when we
turned towards this corner.
>>These are the cliffs of Drake's Beach or Drake's Bay.
And we can go back several hundred years
when Francis Drake in 1579 brought his ship into this bay here.
>>Here?
>>Right here!
And these cliffs reminded him of the Cliffs of Dover.
>>They certainly look like them!
>>And to see them in the early morning light or
the evening light (they change color with the sunset)
it's a very dramatic area.
>>And they're massive
>>They're about 100 to 150 feet high in various locations.
It's very unique along the California coast
to see this kind of formation right on the beach.
>>And so behind you is Chimney Rock?
>>That's right! So that area right over there
is the Point Reyes Headlands.
It's kind of a hammer head shaped peninsula:
Chimney Rock on one end and the Point Reyes Lighthouse
on the other side of it which we can't see from this angle.
>>And how far is it to get over there because that's
where the elephant seals are?
>>From Drake's beach, it is about a 15 to 20 minute drive
to get out to the headlands.
>>Well, let's check it out
♪
>>So this is as close as we want to get so as not
to spook them.
>>Oh look at those teeth! Hi!
♪
♪
>>Well we made it to the Lighthouse at Point Reyes.
Would you say that this is the most popular spot?
>>It's the most popular destinations here in the seashore.
Probably half a million people come to his area every year.
>>Look at this view behind us!
That is really spectacular!
>>There are several beaches with parking areas along this stretch,
We locally refer to it as the great beach.
It's about 12 miles long.
>>You passed this on the walk out here to the lighthouse.
How far are we basically in the Pacific?
>>Well that's the best part! We've kind of taken a boat trip without taking one.
We're 10 miles out into to Pacific Ocean.
>>Ten miles! It is incredibly windy where we are!
And is it true: this is the windiest place on the west coast?
>>Foggiest and windiest point on the west coast!
>>And the minute we got 50 feet away from here,
that wind just slammed!
Alright, let's go over here and look at the
lighthouse because this view is spectacular!
>>It's a wonderful view looking down this area.
>>Wow! Is that not gorgeous?
>>And that's just a wonderful structure that was built back
in 1867. It was completed in 1870.
>>This is quite a walk!
This is quite a walk famous people have done.
How far is that?
>>There's 308 steps plus a long walk way that go down.
It's equal to a 30 story building.
Quite honestly? On the way down,
that's not so much an issue.
But on the way up, that's another story.
>>John, where did the name Point Reyes come from?
>>That dates back to the 1600's
when an explorer Sebastian Vizcaino came though this area on
January 6 which is known as Little Christmas or the Epiphany.
And he was so overwhelmed by just the
majesty of this place, that he named it in spanish
la punta de las tres reyes or the point of three kings.
>>You said a very important word that stuck with me:
the majesty of this place.
How long have you worked here?
>>I've been here 27 years!
>>Do you still see the majesty?
>>Daily! It's such a spectacular area that seasonally?
There are different things going on from migration of
different species. From year 'round?
You have great things to observe everyday
like the elk or the lighthouse,
the value of the ranch lands,
and the coast Miwok Indian history.
It's such a rich area in both human history and natural history?
You don't tire of this place. It is truly a magical place.
>>John, thank you so much
>>Thanks for experiencing it, Rob.
>>Oh, I wouldn't have trade it for the world.
It's excellent to see you! This is a great getaway.
>>It is, thanks!
♪
>>And from that lighthouse, you can watch migrating whales.
The best months, the peak season to do that?
Mid-January to mid-May! It actually got me thinking
about taking a whale-watching excursion
out into the Pacific Ocean.
So join me and 30 other people
as we set sail in search of whales.
>>Good morning everybody! My name is Steve Wood.
I'm a marine biologist I've been working in marine biology
for 12 years and doing whale watches
here in the gulf for 7 years....
♪
♪
>>Welcome onboard everybody!
Good morning folks. How are you doing?
>>Ladies and gentlemen, good morning!
Welcome onboard the Kitty Kat. This is your captain....
>>You guys are going to be part of history for PBS,
Rob on the Road. And so I'm very excited.
>>You guys ready to go whale watching?
>>Yeah (clapping.)
♪
♪
>>Right there is Alcatraz Island. Amazing passing it by!
And right behind me which
we're just about to go under, The Golden Gate Bridge!
This entire journey is gorgeous!
♪
♪
>>So we're rockin' and rollin" out here, Steve. It's not just
whale watching but wave watching!
>>We do get to see some fantastic waves.
>>And the lighthouse, this is beautiful.
What is this lighthouse?
>>That's the Point Bonita Lighthouse.
It's an historic lighthouse built in the 1850's.
It was one of the earliest lighthouses built by the U.S.
on the west coast.
>>And the birds out here are just beautiful!
>>We have already seen between 100 and-200 grebes
We've seen some brown pelicans,
a whole bunch of cormorants, and even some surf schooners.
So we've seen a good variety, too!
>>Well, it seems like we're picking up some steam.
So I'll let you get back to work.
>>Thanks a lot!
♪
♪
>>So Steve, we've been on the boat for a couple of hours.
We're about 20 miles north of San Francisco,
and we're rocking' out here.
The search is on for whales. We've seen a couple.
Talk about what we've seen. >>We've seen a couple of
grey whales on their northward migrations Right now?
They're headed up north to Alaska.
And these are adult grey whales.
Rob: You guys scream if you see a whale, okay?
Just scream out loud.
And so you also have humpbacks and you also have what
other kind of whale out here?
Steve: We also see a lot of humpback whales and we see blue whales.
We have a wide variety of whales.
Rob: What do you think the best part of these trips are?
You know, we have seen the kids screaming.
We have seen people screaming "There's a whale! There is a whale."
I mean, what is it that is so magical about this?
Steve: I think that it's the realization that
there are these giant creatures out there
that are pretty calm,
and seemingly benign and benevolent.
And you get to see them and get to see them blow.
They come up to the surface and slap their fins.
And it is a really cool experience for people.
Because we have a lot of experience with animals
that are much smaller than we are,
but we don't really have experience with these giant ocean animals.
It's almost alien to us.
I think that getting to experience a little bit of
that alien world is a really cool thing for everybody.
that alien world is a really cool thing for everybody.
Rob: This is my very first time out in the
Pacific whale watching, and it is so much fun.
You've done this a million times. Do you still have fun?
Steve: Yeah! There is no bad day
when you are out on the ocean.
And there is especially no bad day
when you're out on the ocean and you get to see a whale.
There's nothing better than having some
happy people getting to experience some nature
and seeing these fantastic animals.
♪
♪
Rob: Our guide tells us that you can see whales
about 95 percent of the times that the boats go out into the Pacific.
OK, on to our next great getaway.
It's where the wild things are.
Let's go to San Andreas to Ark 2000,
where Ed Stuart and Pat Derby have just opened
their latest animal rescue mission.
♪
♪
(Pat calling to Lions)
Rob: Hey Pat!
Pat: Hi Rob, How are you?
Rob: Good to see you again.
Pat: Welcome to Ark 2000.
Rob: It's our pleasure. This place is like heaven on earth
and it is a sanctuary, literally, for animals.
Pat: Yes.
Rob: And we're starting with what today?
Pat: Lions, Rob: Lions. Ok, so let's explore ...
♪
Rob: Oh, There it is! Pat: That's Bombek.
Yes. Bombek!
Rob: Hey Bombek. Pat: (Makes lion call)
Rob: Now what's that sound?
Pat: They talk like that to each other.
Rob: So you speak lion?
Pat: Yes.
Rob: Oh my gosh ...
Look how huge!
Pat: Yes, they weigh about 500, 550 lbs..
Rob: I was not expecting for this to be so massive ...
He is beautiful!
Pat: This is Simba. Rob: Look at that ...
Pat: Yes, he is beautiful. Simba!
Rob: He is coming over to us. Hello, Simba.
Oh my gosh ... Pat: Hi Simba.
He said "I am retired, you know, I don't do show business."
Rob: Come here buddy ...
look at that beautiful face.
I tell you, Pat, when a close to you,
it takes your breath away.
Pat: Oh yes.
Rob: I mean you really have a respect
for the enormous animal that it is.
I have never been this close to a lion;
I had no idea that it was that big.
Pat: These guys, all they want to do is lay
in the grass and sleep.
♪
In the wild, this is what the males do 20 hours every day.
Rob: Lounge?
Pat: Sleep in the sun. The female does all of the work ...
Rob: That's not fair. That's not fair at all.
Pat: It's a good life.
Pat: The good news is that this is a sanctuary.
Rob: It is, and they're doing what they're supposed to.
Pat: Our dream is to have then disappear into the bush.
Rob: You know that brings up a very valid point, Pat.
Because these are rescued animals, living
out their lives to the best that they can.
After being where, in circuses? Pat: These guys were in a
circus in Bolivia. And they called us and said
"Can we bring them there?"
And we said "yes! Bring them on!"
Rob: And Bob Barker built this fence for you?
Pat: It keeps them in; intruders out.
And it gives them a big habitat.
Rob: Big habitat, it is. You have how many acres here?
Pat: 2300 in the whole sanctuary.
Rob: We have a lot to see, so ...
Pat: There's a lot of construction going on too.
Rob: Well, let's go check it out ...
♪
♪
Rob: Hey Ed, you're the Tiger Man? Ed: Yeah, how are you?
Rob: Good to see you. Woah! I wasn't quite expecting that.
It's a beautiful place, and a beautiful tiger.
Ed: Well, we were out just checking and counting heads,
and he thought that we did not know he was there.
Rob: Why?
Ed: Well, tigers
stalk things, and so he felt safer when I arrived and
when you arrived, if he's down behind this bush.
Rob: Okay, are we all right here?
Ed: We are fine. He's used to it.
He just kind of lost his cover.
And now he is a little bit more relaxed.
Rob: That Tiger is huge. Where did you get it?
Ed: Unfortunately we got 39 Tigers at the same time.
All from one facility that had 150 Tigers at one time,
and let 90 starve to death.
Rob: Wow.
Ed: It was embarrassing that it happened in the USA.
Rob: That is tragic. Look at that face.
This one did not die. You saved it.
Ed: Right. We said that we would take the last of the adults,
the hardest ones to take. The ones that might have medical problems.
So it has been a challenge.
After eight years we still have 28 tigers left.
Rob: Because they have come here to live
the rest of their lives out?
Ed: Right. Once they're here, they are here.
Rob: Can I get closer?
Ed: If you get a little closer he would keep an eye on you...
Rob: What's his name? Ed: That is Beau.
Rob: Hey Beau...come here Beau. Oh my goodness.
Hey Beau. Hi. Woah. Hey baby.
I love you too. You're sweet as pie.
Oh my gosh. I am not going to hurt you. I love you.
We're here to celebrate you.
Ed: So he is this smelling you.
Rob: Do you like what you smell?
Ed: And they talk.
Rob: What does he say? Will you talk for me?
Ed: Like this, go ... (makes noise
Rob: (makes noise) Lion roars. Rob: Oh my gosh!
Ed: Actually, this is good. When they first came
they were very leery of people.
All their experiences with humans were bad.
Rob: That leads me to a point. Is what I am doing now wrong?
Ed: We don't usually let people squat down next to them.
Rob: Because I don't want to remind this tiger
of what he went through in the past.
Ed: No, he knows that is over with.
Rob: You're beautiful, yes you are.
We just wanted to show everyone how pretty you are.
That is why we got so close. We won't hurt you, baby.
Those days are over. He is just gorgeous, just gorgeous.
Ed: We try to give them their dignity back.
They're such dignified animals, naturally.
Rob: That is deep. That shows where you and Pat are coming from.
Ed: You know, sometimes you can do it and sometimes ...
but you can tell, he is definitely sure of himself.
Rob: He is pretty happy.
And speaking of happy, you have Bears here.
We said earlier in the show "lions, tigers,and bears oh my!".
Well, we meant it. So let's go see the bears.
Ed: Okay. Rob: See you, Beau!
♪
Pat: Winston, BooBoo ... Rob: Oh, There they are.
Pat: You know, BooBoo was born in captivity.
In a puppy mill for bears, a breeding compound.
So the guy got BooBoo as an Easter gift. Rob: A bear?
Pat: For his five year-old daughter!
Some of them, like these two Bears, I raised from a Cub.
So I am kind of "mother". You know, sometimes they come in,
and we know that they may not live six months.
They may not live a year. But, you just ...
I am driven, wanting to get them on grass. Grass!
Green grass! Warm sun. It's a passion ...
♪
Rob: Thank you Ed and Pat. They are wonderful people.
And think you for joining us on 'Rob on the Road: Great Getaways'.
Send me your ideas of where you would for like me to explore at
rob@kvie.org. We'll see next time,
Right here on 'Rob on the Road'.
♪
To order a DVD copy of this program,
call 888-814-3923 or visit robontheroad.org.