You Mon Tsang May 4th, 2009
What if Point Reyes was a fully developed with housing? Well, in the 1950s, things were heading that way. If you want to know how the area got saved, I recommend this book on the history of Point Reyes and the Bay Area parks. Fortunately for us, the National Park service is continuing its mission of restoring the area to its natural state.
Projects at the Giacomini wetlands and Limantour include removing dams and levees, building bridges and restoring streams.
Take a look at this photo of Limantour in 1961. This was to be a housing development. Fill the land with tract homes and watch it spread across the peninsula. We have a lot of people to thank for saving this place.
Photo from NPS Archive via Pacific Coast Science and Learning Center
You Mon Tsang April 30th, 2009
Just in case you need inspiration to head to the Point Reyes area this weekend.
Photo courtesy of generationexe
You Mon Tsang April 23rd, 2009
What’s happening in the park in late April 2009.
- The rains means more wildflowers! Chimney Rock is in peak condition, with the yellow Indian Paintbrush coming in. The pastures at Bear Valley are purple with tiny Sky Lupines. There are rumors of dogwood flowering on Bear Valley Trail.
- Poison Oak is also enjoying a banner year – leaves of three let it be – it can be a shrub or a climbing vine. Also, I teach my son “If it’s shiny, watch your hiney.”
- Last of the grey whales moving north, the third phase of the annual movement is the mother and calf pairs passing the Lighthouse; a couple of pairs have been seen each day over the past week.
- The first string enclosures to protect snowy plover nests are being put up on the Great Beach; nesting activities have been observed, so far, no eggs.
These are highlights from the National Park Service Park Wavelengths newsletter. Photo by Pat Ulrich.
You Mon Tsang April 16th, 2009
Great shot of a scooting sea lion across Limantour.
Photo courtesy of Jef Poskanzer
You Mon Tsang April 7th, 2009
What’s happening in the park in early April 2009.
- Park campgrounds are extra full this week and next; about a 5% raise over last year. Looks like folks are staying closer to home this year.
- Some positive fish news: smolt trapping (one year old fish – ready to go to the ocean) found 144 coho in Olema Creek and 8 in Redwood Creek at Muir Woods!
- Birders watching quail at Bear Valley also noted a bobcat at the Horse Ranch snacking on a mouse!
- Wildflowers continue to bloom especially with the extra dollop of rain this week! Poppies and lupine in the fields at Bear Valley. Tidy tips just beginning at Chimney Rock along with Baby Blue eyes! Creamy yellow wallflowers fragrance the steps at the Lighthouse. Many species coming out.
- Shuttle Bus service ends this weekend; Easter Sunday will be the last day of service for this years season
These are highlights from the National Park Service
Park Wavelengths newsletter.
You Mon Tsang April 4th, 2009
Point Reyes and the nice folks at the Cowgirl Creamery have made a cheese lover out of me (see a past post on the best grilled cheese sandwich ever). So it was no surprise to see that two local cheeses on the SF Chronicle list of 10 iconic California cheeses. The two are the (1) Point Reyes Original Blue and (2) Red Hawk:
The only classic-style blue cheese made in California, Original Blue is produced by the Giacomini family with milk from their own cows. The four Giacomini daughters turned to cheesemaking nearly a decade ago as a way to preserve their West Marin farm. The rindless Original Blue has a dense, moist, creamy interior with threadlike blue veins; its flavor is robust, finishing with a buttermilk tang.
On the Red Hawk:
Made with cream-enriched organic cow’s milk from Marin County’s Straus Family Creamery, Red Hawk belongs to the category of smelly cheeses known as washed rinds… A ripe Red Hawk has the luscious texture characteristic of triple-cream cheeses and aromas of mushroom, earth and spice.
So we have these two great cheeses and we now have grilled cheese sandwiches on the mind, so Morry Anne over at Fare to Remember comes to the rescue. She adds a hot dipping sauce to make a beautiful looking Hot Wing(less) Grilled Cheese Sandwich. Way to go!
You Mon Tsang March 29th, 2009
Many outdoor adventures friends of mine slow down a bit when they have kids. And they don’t get to places like Point Reyes as often. But they’re missing out. There’s a lot to do here with kids; I’ve taken my child all around the peninsula. Yes, long hikes and mountain biking don’t work so well, but beaches and kayaks do. Every kid is different so you’ll have to make your own choices, but here are some adventures for your family to consider:
Bear Valley Visitor’s Center
- Charming indoor exhibit (with movie) that could distract children for 30-60 minutes. Gift shop warning…
- By the visitor’s center is the Earthquake Trail, which is flat and less than a mile but is very cool for learning about the 1906 earthquake
- The Kule Loklo trail (~1 mile) that takes you to a replica Coast Miwok Native American village.
Beaches
- Drake’s Beach has a small visitor’s center with an tiny exhibit as well as a cafe you can hang out if you need a break or a bite. The beach is also pretty fun to walk down.
- My favorite ocean beach for kids is Limantour, where the waves are less intense and the sand very soft.
- If you want a warmer and less intense Tomales Bay beach, try Hearts Desire Beach, which is cozy, gentle and charming
- For tide pooling, I go to Agate Beach in Bolinas. I’ve had mixed luck, but when it’s good, it’s hours of fun. Check for low tides on our weather page.
Wildlife
- Elephants seals are a big favorite (winters at Chimey Rock)
- Whales require so much patience that I don’t take most adults, much less children
- The tule elk are pretty cool; you can often see them from the car and at Pierce Point, where they reside, there is a cool old ranch that kids can explore
- On warm spring and summer days, Audubon Canyon Ranch (near Bolinas) offers short hikes, cool overviews, bright white birds and a pond full of newts and tadpoles
Point Reyes Lighthouse
- The lighthouse is great and the 300+ steps are challenging for the kids but doable. My kid did it by himself at 6. I carried him when he was two. Wind and fog can make this trip a real adventure! Call the ranger station there ahead of time to ask about conditions: (415) 669-1534
Kayaking
- On calm days, Tomales Bay is an easy kayak trip. Pack water and a good picnic and head for a beach to stretch your legs. Check the lodging and resources page for links to local kayak rentals.
Food
I’ve had luck with kid food in Point Reyes here:
- Pine Cone Diner (diner)
- Cafe Reyes (pizza and Mexican)
- Tony’s Seafood (on way to Marshall)
- Station Cafe
I will update this post with any of your suggestions. So please suggest away…
You Mon Tsang March 28th, 2009
Appearing in tomorrow’s Sunday New York Times will be a short essay by Verlyn Klinkenborg, American non-fiction author and a member of the editorial board of The New York Times. He uses the ebb and flow of the Tomales Bay tides and local wildlife to help writers and the rest of us to break free of a strict linear chronology.
The water is constantly catching me by surprise. I look, and there’s a bright, wind-tugged sheet of it from here to Inverness. I look again, and the light adheres strictly to the creek channel, eeling its way across the darkness… I consult a tide chart and note that the tide is ebbing, but I’m not experienced enough to feel it. The best I can do is see where the water is now, and then where it is an hour from now. It’s like having to look repeatedly at the sun to guess its direction across the sky.
I always tell my writing students to avoid chronology, because we live utterly in the thick of it. We need no reminding how it works. But that’s what I love about watching these flats. They undermine my landlocked sense of chronology.
You can read the whole essay here…
You Mon Tsang March 27th, 2009
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 July 4 and Sept 7.
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.
You Mon Tsang March 25th, 2009
UPDATED (4/7/09): The 2009 schedule has been set. The market will open on June 27, 2009 and end on November 7. I will update this post as more specific information arrives.
In the meantime, check out the 2008 Point Reyes Farmers Market Schedule to get a taste of what’s in store for 2009.
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