Point Reyes Weekend

You Mon Tsang July 14th, 2010

Wonderful time to be outside; here’s the latest from the National Park Service on Point Reyes:

The treasure of the day being turned into Bear Valley Visitor center is shed snake skins, mostly from gopher snakes. Unlike other critters, snakes shed their whole skin in one continuous piece; it helps remove bacteria and parasites. They are temporarily blind and vulnerable afterwards; rattlesnakes get a new rattle piece each time they shed.

The Northern Spotted Owl nesting season is wrapping up; 30 nesting sites were monitored this year; the majority of sites were occupied by adults but only ten of the nest successfully fledged young owls. The late rainy season may have influenced the numbers; one nest may have failed due to interactions with a male barred owl.

Tule elk breeding season ‘the rut’ is warming up! Volunteer docents are at the elk range on weekends with spotting scopes to help find elk and identify behaviors. Early morning visitors may be rewarded with the bugling sound of males through the fog. Coyotes have been ‘singing’ behind Kule Loklo in the mornings recently.

The 30th Annual Big Time Festival will be held Saturday, July 17 at Kule Loklo, the Coast Miwok Exhibit near Bear Valley Visitor Center. Traditional dancers, vendors and a great day in the sun! No dogs or alcohol permitted.

• Summer , Wildlife
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You Mon Tsang June 24th, 2010

The July 4th weekend is a great time to come to the Point Reyes area.  The Point Reyes weather is generally more comfortable than the rest of the Bay Area.  The food in the area is fresh as the local farms are producing their bounty.  And, if you are interested, there are many local events that give you a flavor of the different towns in the area.

• Bolinas-Stinson Beach Tug-of-War: Every Fourth of July, the towns of Stinson and Bolinas have a tug of war over the channel that separates the two towns.
• Woodacre 4th of July Parade and Celebration
• Inverness Fourth of July Party
• Bolinas Parade and Summer Fair
• Point Reyes Farmers Market is underway

For more details, head over to the Point Reyes calendar.

harder! Pull! Originally uploaded by Luiza

• Summer
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You Mon Tsang May 22nd, 2010

Open Studios is here again. Combine a trip to the beach with a visit to one of the many local studios in the area. Some information from the official web site.

Point Reyes Open Studios (PROS) invites art lovers from around the Bay Area to tour the studios of nineteen West Marin artists Memorial Day weekend, May 29, 30 and 31. Artists will be showing their work in their studios and homes from Saturday through Monday, 11 AM to 5 PM each day. …

Visitors will be able to meet the artists and see new original work, as well as explore the studios and workshops in which the art is created. Several artists plan demonstrations of their complex craft techniques, and at least one studio will allow visitors to pull their own keepsake prints. …

Visitors can pick up a free brochure/map at Toby’s Feed Barn, The Station House Cafe and many other local shops and inns. The tour’s street signs make artists’ studios easy to find.

painting by Nancy Stein

• Art , Summer
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You Mon Tsang August 25th, 2009

Want to be inspired by other people’s sand sculptures and sand castles?  Better yet, want to give it a try yourself?

Every year on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend, the National Park Service hosts at Drake Beach a Sand Sculpture Contest.  It is really fun.  If you want to give it a go, I would advise that you bring tools to (1) move sand, (2) move water and (3) finely tune sand.

Facts for 2009:

• Event occurs on Sunday, Sept 6, 2009.
• Anyone can enter.
• Prizes awarded in each of several age and group catagories.
• Free to participants and spectators.
• Registration begins at 9:00 am at the Ken Patrick Visitor Center.
• Judging begins at 12:00 pm.
• Prizes awarded at 3:30 pm.

Categories include: Children (14 and under), Families, Adult Individuals, and Adult Groups. Three prizes will be awarded in each of those categories, along with prizes for the sculpture with the most recycled plastic included.

Photos of past winners at the National Park Service web site:

• Beach , Kids , Summer
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You Mon Tsang August 21st, 2009

Beat the dog days by heading out to Point Reyes.  The tule elk are in action, bugling, fighting and forming their harems.  The Point Reyes Farmers Market has beautiful food and produce.  Last weekend, Chef Belov from FISH in Sausalito made fish ceviche and spoke passionately and clearly about the challenges of procuring fish and food sustainably.

As a bonus this weekend, celebrate 100 years of the worldwide hostelling movement at the Point Reyes Hostel. They’re hosting a BYO picnic in the heart of Point Reyes National Seashore on Sunday, August 23, 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.  They’ll have complimentary Lagunitas beer, organic lemonade, and It’s It ice cream sandwiches. You bring something to throw on the grill or whip up in the hostel’s fully equipped kitchen. Festivities also include prize giveaways and live music by “siren folk metal quartet” Pink Sabbath.

For more information, visit: http://norcalhostels.org/reyes/news/p,3434/

• Farmers Market , Summer , Tule Elk
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You Mon Tsang July 28th, 2009

What’s happening in the park in mid-summer 2009.

The first rumblings of the tule elk rut or breeding season – harems are being formed around bull elk; the male bugling sounds are being heard out at Tomales Point. The rut begins in early August and continues through the fall. Volunteers staff the trail on weekends to provide a closer look and answer questions.

Summer Berry time – the first ripe blackberries are appearing along roads and trails – both the native ‘Cutleaf’ and the exotic Himalaya berry! Scarlet Thimbleberries are ripening along the Bear Valley Trail and hairy Salmonberries along the lower Bayview Trail. Huckleberries appearing throughout Tomales Bay State Park though no reports from Old Pine Trail yet!

These are highlights from the National Park Service Park Wavelengths newsletter.

Photo by Jerry Ting

• Summer , Tule Elk
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You Mon Tsang July 6th, 2009

Here are some photos of the Independence Day fun in Point Reyes, Bolinas, Inverness and the surrounding area.

The Inverness Fourth of July foot races are for all ages. (Photo by Rob Lawson)

The reading of the Declaration of Independence for the Inverness locals.

The Point Reyes Farmers Market was lush with local produce (Photo by Galen Leeds)

Grilled Cheese Decadence at the GBD stall at the Farmers Market.

Bolinas Fourth of July parade marches to its own tune (video by Swerbo.com)

If it’s the Fourth, then we can expect the annual Bolinas-Stinson Beach Tug of War.  The MarinIJ reported that the Bolinas men and the Stinson Beach women emerged victors in 2009. Thanks to Bill and June at swerbo.com for this terrific video.

Even the local creatures got into the spirit with their play!  (Photo by Rob Lawson)

The Sunday turned out to be a bit overcast, but that made for a peaceful paddle on Tomales Bay. (Photo by Rob Lawson)

• Summer
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You Mon Tsang August 5th, 2008

Point Reyes is a great place to end the summer, whether you are visiting locally or in town for the Slow Food Nation confab in San Francisco.  Besides the trails, beaches, camps and food, here are some things you can also do for Labor Day Weekend:

• Sand Castle / Sand Sculpture Contest at Drake’s Beach on Sunday, Aug 31.  Fun to do or to watch.  For details, check out the Point Reyes calendar of events for more information.
• Box Show at Gallery Route One in Point Reyes Station: 150 artists are each given a plain wood box; each donates time, materials and talent to create a unique art object. You’ll find every imaginable creation, from the sublime to the silly, from cleverly humorous to beautifully breathtaking, and each one started from an identical wood box.
• Farmers Market: Sat 9a to 1p at Point Reyes Station.  A small but terrific farmer’s market featuring local produce and entertainment.

• Summer
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You Mon Tsang June 21st, 2008

[Click for information on the latest on the Point Reyes Farmers Market]

Today was the first day of the 2008 season of the Point Reyes Farmers Market.  This market is the all local, all certified organic produce market.  If you passing through the area, definitely stop and pickup some produce for home and lunch for a beach picnic.  You will find many local farms and artisans represented as well as a nice mix of local flavor and international visitors.

The 2008 Point Reyes Farmers Market takes place every Saturday (June 21 – November 1, 2008) from 9AM to 1PM (rain or shine).

Location: Toby’s Feed Barn, 11315 Highway One, Point Reyes Station, CA.  Click for a map with a photo of Toby’s.

Here is the calendar of the Point Reyes Farmers Market’s events for 2008.

• Farmers Market , Food , Summer
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You Mon Tsang June 5th, 2008

[Note: Click for latest Western Weekend info]

Western Weekend takes the ranching history of the area and adds a bit of the quirkiness of the residents of the area. Take a look at my previous post on Western Weekend. Head to the parade, which will start at noon on Sunday, June 8th.

The schedule is further below…

Photo by David Wasley

Photo by David Wasley

Photo by David Wasley

Western Weekend Parade, Pt Reyes Station, originally uploaded by CommandZed.

Friday, June 6
9:00 pm
Western Weekend Kick-off Party
at the Old Western Saloon, PRS. Pink Sabbath, Conjoined Twins Reunion Burlesque Review and Tinsletown Rebellion. $5-8, care to come clad in cowboy costume? or wearing your western threads? receive admission discount.

Saturday, June 7
10:00 am
Western Weekend Historic Tour with Dewey Livingston – registration required: 663-1158
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Synchrony In Motion ballroom lessons ,Dance Palace dancers incorporate styles of Ballroom and Latin Dance. Swing dance lesson/demonstration at 3 pm. free
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Synchrony In Motion performance , Dance Palace
7:00 pm
My Friend, My Horse
a documentary by John Korty. Two dozen riders of all ages share their experience and insight into the relationships possible between animals and humans at Take 2 Cinema, 54 B Street, PRS, 663-1932
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Country/Western dance lessons, Dance Palace
8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Western Weekend Queen’s Dance , Dance Palace Music by Jenny Kerr multi-instrumentalist, a native of Northern California, known for her roots in traditional Americana: country, blues, folk and rock, will begin at 8 pm, following a Western County Dance lesson at 7 pm. The crowning of Western Weekend Queen, Lianne Nunes’ is scheduled for 9 pm. General admission is ($15, teens are $5, seniors and under 12 are free.

Sunday, June 8
10:00 am – 11:00 am
Parade entry sign-in C street at Hwy 1
10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Silent Auction, Dance Palace
Over 200 items will be auctioned off including overnights stays at Pelican Inn, Sorenson’s Resort, Vichy Springs, Terri’s Homestaymeals, tickets to events, fine arts, crafts, expert services, gift certificates, and local wares.
12:00 pm – 1:00 ish
59th Western Weekend Parade on Main Street
1:00 ish – 3:00 pm
Marin Farm Bureau & Organics BBQ At Toby’s, sponsored by Marin County Farm Bureau and Marin Organic
1:00 pm – 3:00 ish
Kevin Russell and Moonlight Rodeo – a well-known Sonoma county picker, singer and songwriter is joined by one of his many bands, a five piece acoustic-electric band that plays western swing, alt-country, blues & rock music. Our thanks to music sponsors: Marin Farm Bureau, WM Chamber of Commerce, WM Lions Foundation, and WM Rotary Club
1:00 ish
West Marin Senior Services 9th Annual Chili-Cornbread/Pie Cook-off at Toby’s
2:00 ish
Raffle Winners Announced, Parade Prizes Awarded at Toby’s
the Halleck Creek Cow Flop Drop at Toby’s
7:00
My Friend, My Horse: a documentary by John Korty. Two dozen riders of all ages share their experience and insight into the relationships possible between animals and humans at Take 2 Cinema, 54 B Street, PRS, 663-1932

Sunday, June 8
Music at the Old Western Saloon:
1:00 – 5:00 pm – Billy Boys
5:00 – 6:30 ish – Tony MeGee
7:00 – Sweet Baby J

Updated Schedule courtesy of Bodega Bay Navigator via Kelly at Olema Cottages

• Kids , Local Scene , Summer
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