Point Reyes Weekend

You Mon Tsang September 20th, 2009

The tule elk is a subspecies of elk that is unique to California. Nearly hunted to extinction during the Gold Rush, the tule elk received federal protection in 1971. Pierce Point, the north point of the Point Reyes peninsula, is now a 2,600 acre reserve for the tule elk. In the fall, it is a warm, beautiful hike with the opportunity to see the elk rut season. You are likely to hear bull elks bugle, spar and try to form their harems of females.

Some facts from the National Park Service:

Female elk are sexually mature by two years of age, although they may be able to breed as yearlings. Nearly all female elk will reproduce during their lifetime. A female is likely to have six to ten calves in her lifetime. Males are sexually mature at age two, but usually aren?t able to breed until they are strong enough to compete with other bulls to defend a harem of cows. Half the male population will remain bachelors; most breeding is accomplished by ten percent of the male population.

Videos by the NPS:

This video was created by the National Park Service’s Pacific Coast Science and Learning Center as part of its 2004 “Science Behind the Scenery” DVD.


Tule Elk: California’s Legacy of Wildness chronicles the fascinating and inspirational story of the tule elk (Cervus canadensis nannodes) which are native to California and can be viewed at the Tomales Point Tule Elk Reserve. Since pre-historic times, large herds of tule elk roamed California’s central valley and coastal plains. Unfortunately, they were hunted to near-extinction by the late 19th century. Tule Elk examines how the dramatic rebound of the tule elk population at Point Reyes National Seashore and in California at large demonstrates the success of threatened species protections and conservation laws.
Continue Reading »

• Nature , Tule Elk
• Comments (0)

You Mon Tsang September 14th, 2009

The Community Land Trust Association of West Marin (CLAM) is a nonprofit, community-based organization that works to expand housing in the Tomales Bay area for people of low and moderate income. CLAM can acquire property through donation or purchase, then rent or sell the housing on it at below-market rates. The housing remains permanently affordable for future generations.

On Sunday, October 4, 12:30pm – 5:00 pm, CLAM is organizing their 3rd Annual Point Reyes Green Home Tour, which showcases Carbon Footprint-Reducing Techniques, at the Dance Palace, 503 B Street, Point Reyes Station.

The 3rd Annual Point Reyes Green Home Tour is a rare chance to tour homes in the Point Reyes area built with eco-friendly practices and green materials. Homes showcased this year include a deep energy retrofit using Passive House methods, a mini eco-farm, windmill, living roof, recycled and reused materials, and many more affordable ways to reduce our carbon footprint.

The program starts at the Dance Palace Community Center in Point Reyes Station on Sunday, October 4, at 12:30p.m. with a tour orientation. The guided tour of four homes, in Inverness and Point Reyes Station, leaves promptly from the Dance Palace at 1:00 p.m. and concludes at 5:00 p.m. Straus ice cream served at one of the homes.

Tickets for this educational and fun event are $25 in advance, $30 at the door. They are available online at www.clam-ptreyes.org, at the CLAM table at the Point Reyes Farmers Market, or by mail to CLAM, P.O. Box 273, Point Reyes Station, 94956. Proceeds support the work of the Community Land Trust Association of West Marin (CLAM), creating affordable, eco-friendly homes in the communities surrounding Tomales Bay.

Support this great cause and pick up great ideas to green your house!

• Giving , Green
• Comments (0)

You Mon Tsang September 10th, 2009

One of my favorite sights on the beaches of Point Reyes, captured perfectly by Stephen Fischer.

• Birding , Nature , Photos
• Comments (0)

You Mon Tsang August 27th, 2009

For many in the Bay Area, the first day of school has already happened, but you can relive the summer this weekend as the Point Reyes Farmers Market has its first ever Kids & Families Day. This Saturday, August 29, head to Point Reyes Station for the freshest and most local produce as well as enjoy the special activities designed for the children.

9:30am-1pm: Music by Peter Franklin with child-size percussion instruments for all ages to play. Kids get involved in the music for the morning’s market, and dance and sing along to Peter!

1 am: Kids Cook with Jennifer Carden, author of Toddler Café. Jennifer engages kids in the fun of cooking. She teaches fast, healthy and fun ways to feed even the pickiest eater!

11:30am: Instrument-making with WM musician/author Bart Hopkins, in the Gallery, with Robin Goodfellow. Adults and kids alike will be welcome to try their hands at easy musical instrument making at this event taking place in the back room at Toby’s. The event celebrates the publication of Making Musical Instruments with Kids by West Marin author Bart Hopkin. Bart will be joined by one of the key contributors to the book, Robin Goodfellow.

• Farmers Market , Kids
• Comments (0)

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
• Comments (0)

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
• Comments (0)

You Mon Tsang August 7th, 2009

The 2009 Box Show at Gallery Route One in Point Reyes Station starts today. This is the 11th year of the popular show; this year it features 150 artists making art out of the same simple pine box (14 in wide, 7 in high and 5 in deep). Take a stop on your way back from a hike or beach.

• Art
• Comments (0)

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
• Comments (0)

You Mon Tsang July 20th, 2009

Head out to Far West Fest this Saturday, July 25th!  This day, voted Best Music Festival in Marin, benefits Community Radio KWMR and the Love Field Open Space — both beloved West Marin institutions.

The Far West, in its fifth year, expects 2,000 attendees in 2009. It is a green event with 100% recycling/ zero-waste, carbon offset options, and no plastic packaging on site. Food vendors are local purveyors of organic, sustainable offerings including oysters, fresh produce, grass fed meats, and baked goods.

The festival hosts two stages, offering a lineup of blues, country, rock, folk, experimental, bluegrass and world music, internationally touring acts and local favorites.  This year’s festival features Lyrics Born, Sean Hayes, Albino, Red Meat, The Green String Farm Band with Arann Harris, Chris Haugen and The Far West Fest All Stars, The Honey Dewdrops, Susan Z, Tim Cain and The Mushrooms!

In addition to two music stages, the Far West Fest offers a supervised Kidz Zone that features interactive activities, healthful snacks, and kid-centric live music and storytellers. Clowns, jugglers, and other circus acts dot the landscape throughout the day. Dozens of regional arts and crafts vendors line the periphery, and a “Localization Zone, sponsored by “Think Local First” offers area nonprofits an opportunity to interface and share their mission with the community.

The details:
July 25th: The 3rd Annual Far West Fest at Love Field
11171 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard- 1st Driveway on the left when you turn off Hwy 1.

Gates: 10:30am
Music: 11am-7:30pm

Pricing:
Kids under 10 = free!
Youth (10-18) = $10
Adults Advance = $25
Adults at Gate = $30

Check out music and images on the Festival’s MySpace page.

Images courtesy of RKado

• Local Scene , Music
• Comments (0)

You Mon Tsang July 20th, 2009

Sharing West Marin experiences through Point Reyes Weekend is a real pleasure. But I really enjoy reading a good writer’s first trip through the area. Jonathan Levitt recounts his first trip to Point Reyes and West Marin in the Boston Globe.

Traveling around the country, asking people about their favorite places, and about their most beautiful places, I heard again and again about the rolling ranchland and wild beaches of west Marin County. Here, the almost 70,000 acres of windswept wildness at Point Reyes National Seashore coexist with cattle ranches, dairy farms, and small organic market gardens. It makes for a balance that attracts tourists content to enjoy the seashore, hike in the hills, and eat good food. Chain stores and rowdy revelers are nowhere in sight.

Read the whole article…

• Ode
• Comments (0)