Point Reyes Weekend

You Mon Tsang May 28th, 2008

rod&reel Originally uploaded by helti

Twice a year, anyone can fish without a license in California. It’s an easy and hassle-free way to give fishing a try. This year, the days are June 7 and Sept 27.

From the CA Dept of Fish and Game web site:

The Department of Fish and Game offers two Free Fishing Days each year. On these days, you can fish without having to buy a sport fishing license. Free Fishing Days provide a great, low-cost way to give fishing a try. Some Department offices offer a Fishing in the City program where you can go fishing in the middle of major metropolitan areas, perhaps just a few blocks from your home. Fishing in the City and free fishing day clinics are designed to educate people just like you about fish habits, proven methods of catching fish, and tackle you’ll need. You can even learn how to clean and prepare your catch so you can enjoy it for dinner that night.

More at the CA Department of Fish & Game.

• Fishing , Summer
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You Mon Tsang June 27th, 2007

I have not yet been to this, but I must must go.  Every July 4th, the towns of Stinson and Bolinas have a tug of war over the channel that separates the two towns.  Despite being yards away from each other, the towns have very different feels (to say the least).  That is what makes this event that much more fun.

harder! Pull!, originally uploaded by Luiza.

A good writeup of the 7/4 event at the Marin Independent Journal; some highlights:

At the beach, a reputed 200-pound weight requirement for Bolinas tuggers may have made the difference, but Stinson partisans complained that a celebrant was offering free food stamps, whale blubber steaks and intoxicants to energize the Bolinas tugging team. Race officials said it was a case of sour grapes. “It was a fair match,” said Mike Bagley, an official who monitored fruitless efforts by both the Stinson men and women teams.

Read the entire article…

And from the Point Reyes Light:

Every year the tug-of-war provides a chance for the two towns to symbolically spar. Bolinas has a reputation for tapping into its population of hardy, outdoorsy hippies, while Stinson is known for unabashedly using power and influence to recruit outside help.
…
According to local lore, Stinson has imported brute pulling strength in the form of 500 pound Samoans, the Berekely rowing team and, one year, a jeep, which resulted in a broken arm and the suspension of the contest for several years. This year, seven members of the Golden Gate rugby team, collectively weighing in at more than two tons, tossed a rugby ball around on the sidelines, keeping warm while awaiting their chance to pull Stinson to glory.

Read the entire article…

Updated: The 2009 contest was captured by Bill and June at swerbo.com. It’s a great video.

And great photos by Luiza…

The rope comes in, originally uploaded by Luiza.

Stinson, originally uploaded by Luiza.

Go!, originally uploaded by Luiza.

• Beach , July , Local Scene , Summer
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You Mon Tsang June 14th, 2007

Read the latest Point Reyes Farmers Market Updates

Point Reyes Outing.,
originally uploaded by _e.t.

Saturday mornings in the summer are special at Point Reyes Station. The Farmers Market is an intimate market of local farmers and merchants displaying their lovely and delicious wares. Live music plays in the background. Locals say hi to each other and visitors take easy strolls through the stalls of delicious vegetables and produce. Every few weeks, a local chef is featured at the market and produces some great bite-sized tastes of their food.

Point Reyes Outing., originally uploaded by _e.t.

organic food fit for a prince, originally uploaded by billmelater.

Notes:
Schedule of music and chefs at Marin Organic
Great Tastes
Local Food

• Farmers Market , Food , Summer
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You Mon Tsang June 6th, 2007

Twice already this year, we have taken trips to Audubon Canyon Ranch. In the mix were boys between the ages of 6 and 8. During the spring and summer seasons, the highlight is watching the snowy egrets and great blue herons nest high up in the trees.

Photo by Michael Harrold

The birds are a beautiful sight: impossibly white against the lush green. They swoop from their nests every so often and it is a wonder that these gangly creatures can fly.

Later in the season (July if I remember from last year), the chicks also attempt to take flight.

The preserve is well run, with well-marked paths, places to picnic, lots of friendly and knowledgeable volunteer docents, and several well-equipped lookouts.

Photo by Michael Harrold

Photo by Michael Fitzhugh

The boys really enjoyed the ponds, where they can take nets and fish newts, tadpoles and bugs out of the pond water into buckets where they can take a closer look. The hunter instinct is strong in boys; they could have stayed at the ponds for hours.

Photo by Michael Harrold

Photo by Michael Harrold

For those interested in birds, a nice quiet hike or have some kids to distract, this is a recommended stop in West Marin.

Map of Location | Web Site for Audubon Canyon Ranch

Notes:
Good for Kids
Birding
Hiking
Hands-On
No Fee, but Donation Request

• Hiking , Kids , Spring , Summer , Wildlife
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You Mon Tsang June 2nd, 2007

rod&reel Originally uploaded by helti

Twice a year, anyone can fish without a license in California. It’s an easy and hassle-free way to give fishing a try. This year, the days are June 9 and Sept 22.

More at the CA Department of Fish & Game.

• Fishing , Summer
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You Mon Tsang May 30th, 2007

[Note: the 2009 Western Weekend is scheduled for the weekend of June 6 / 7.]

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

Western Weekend is a great time to get a taste of the local scene in West Marin, especially the parade the goes through Point Reyes Station. In 2007, the parade is scheduled to go through town on Sunday, June 3 from 11am to 1pm.

Expect to see everything from funky art floats to tractor displays. It is a real slice of West Marin.

Notes:
Good for Kids
Local Scene

These photos are from the 2006 parade taken by Zara Evens.

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

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

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

• July , Kids , Local Scene , Summer
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