My new favorite spot to go walking is out by Fort Point. It is a nice hike starting all the way at the west end of Crissy Field, taking one past the Warming Hut, along the winding road that seems to perch precariously between the land and and the unruly waters of the bay, until one is standing at the base of one of the oldest structures in the Bay Area -the brick and stone edifice of Fort Point.
It sits at the base of the mighty and beautiful Golden Gate Bridge, creating an inlet that is a favorite spot for surfers who take advantage of the currents intensified by the multiple man made structures. The city, a postcard perfect silhouette in the background serves as a reminder that this unique spot is indeed in our very own back yard.
A giant chain link fence lines the water's edge. Over the years the salt air and the pounding waves have eroded the metal, staining the concrete beneath a sienna hue.
By far the most interesting thing on the walk is a plaque on the fence at the farthest point anyone can walk. It is red with golden hand prints, and lettering that says, "Hopper's Hands". Even more curious is a second plaque that is also red, with silver paw prints about 4 feet lower at the same spot.
Well, who is Hopper and why are there prints of his hands? What on earth is the other plaque about? I was so curious I looked it up. Hopper was a maintenance worker on the Golden Gate bridge. He used to see joggers and people walking with their dogs go up the fence and touch it with both hands before turning back. This happened numerous times throughout the day. Some people even made their dogs touch their paws to the spot in a symbolism of the turning point in their walk. Hopper found it such a phenomenon that he made two plaques and installed them on the fence. Now instead of touching a fence, the countless pilgrims to the turning point at the base of the Golden Gate Bridge touch their hands and paws to Hoppers Hands.
