many years ago, after finishing a paddle across tomales bay, I hiked up the back side of pt reyes (legal then) and encountered two bulls tangled in each other's antlers... they darted around in circles and got close enough for me to look for a place to seek cover. Soothed by their distraction (and not aided by the knee high brush fortification) I got a chance to see one of nature's wonders by chance and fancy... year's later I get a chance to share that magic with you all....
Pt Reyes is about 2.5 hrs drive and many beautiful places to stay exist... from backpacking, car camping to koa's to hostels to bountiful bed and breakfast destinations. also see petaluma, sausalito, olema, bodega bay, san anselmo, fairfax, novato, kent, san rafael.
other attractions include birdwatching... Pt Reyes is home to 490 different species and boasts more than any other place on the continent. The light house (best for whale watching from land... see map to see how whales get "bottle-necked" close to the pt reyes light house. and the historic life boat station now a hostel.
Bo and I commando camped off our kayaks at Limantour, Coast Camp and Wild Cat Camp during our epic paddle around Marin County. Alamere falls is one of few waterfalls that dump into the sea... Do not miss seeing the rugged terrain and beautiful wildflowers when you drop by for a visit. Gas up in Petaluma and enjoy the rolling terrain and scenic landscape. September and October are by far the best months of the year to be on the coast.
http://www.nps.gov/pore/planyourvisit/wildlife_viewing_tuleelk.htm
The tule elk herds had virtually disappeared by 1860, 13 years before the state awarded them complete protection. In the spring of 1978, two bulls and eight cows were brought in from the San Luis Island Wildlife Refuge near Los Banos. The elk were contained within a temporary, three acre enclosure to allow for adjustment to their new surroundings. That summer, 6 of the cows bore calves. In the fall, 17 elk were released from the enclosure on Tomales Point to 1,050 hectares (2,600 acres) of open grassland and coastal scrub. By the summer of 1988, the population was at 93 animals. The population census taken in 2000 counted over 400 elk. In 2009, over 440 were counted at Tomales Point, making the the Point Reyes herds one of the largest populations in California.
The tule elk can be found in several locations within the park but the best chance of seeing them is in the Tule Elk Preserve at Tomales Point. They graze freely and are often seen near the road as you drive into the preserve.
Tule Elk Rut Season .
Tule Elk Docents and visitors viewing tule elk through spotting scopes at Windy Gap on Tomales Point
On weekends from July through September, park volunteers will be stationed at the Tomales Point Trailhead from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and at Windy Gap (1 mile north along the Tomales Point Trail) from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. to interact with visitors curious about the tule elk. This is an exciting time of year on Tomales Point where visitors will likely hear bull elk bugling and see them attempting to round up harems of females. The lucky visitor may even get to see a couple of bull elk sparring. Spotting scopes and binoculars will be available for visitors to better view elk up close.
To help you enjoy your experience, please follow these elk watching tips:
•For your own safety, always observe elk from a distance. Use binoculars and spotting scopes. If an elk becomes alert or nervous and begins to move away, you are too close.
•If viewing from your car, pull off the road or park in designated areas.
•If you are on foot, stay on the trail; do not come between a cow and calf, a bull and a group of cows, or two bulls challenging each other.
•Watch quietly; whisper. Move slowly.
•Do not feed the elk. Feeding elk or any other wildlife is unhealthy for the animals, potentially dangerous for visitors, and strictly prohibited.
•Ride your bicycle only on designated trails. Within the Tomales Point Tule Elk Reserve, bicycles are only permitted on the Pierce Point Road. Bicycles are prohibited on the Tomales Point and McClures Beach trails.
•Pets are prohibited in most areas where elk may be seen, including the Tomales Point Tule Elk Reserve.
•Do not collect or remove elk antlers. They are an important source of calcium for many wildlife species such as rodents and deer.
Discover more about the tule elk by:
•watching our 10-minute video "Tule Elk: California's Legacy of Wildness,"
•watching the 6:29-minute "Science Behind the Scenery: Tule Elk" video,
•reading "Tule Elk - Return of a Species" (366 KB PDF file - Adobe® Acrobat Reader® required to view document), or
•checking out our Tule Elk webpage.
http://www.nps.gov/pore/planyourvisit/wildlife_viewing_tuleelk.htm
please be mindful when on hallowed ground... it is all hallowed ground (or water:)
outsidejay@gmail.com
18 August 2010
Avatar Kayaking and Stand Up Paddling!!!
"Avatar" Kayaking is like paddling with David Copperfield, Jerry Garcia, Steven Speilburg, Steve Irwin and Noam Chomsky (all at the same time). There is a way to do it however and a way to "allow" yourself to "see" the naturally occurring magic light show. Email me for details. Taking pictures is nearly impossible and like trying to take a picture of a glow in the dark ball in the pitch blackness of the bathroom. The flash will ruin your vision and the picture will be of the water without the "sparkles" as they are doused by the flash.
Get all equipment ready and prepare the return equipment so that a flashlight is ready upon your return. (many hints for what you should have for the take out cooler) be mindful of the residence and how sound carries over water. Put-in after dusk and wait about an hour. The best time is from 10pm to 4am.
Turn off your headlights once you are afloat, paddle in serenity for a few minutes until your pupils begin to dilate to full. You will soon see the faint glow of your bow wake, then the glow as you paddle disturbs the water, then the iridescent vortex that each paddle stroke makes. soon after, the individual drops of water from you paddle become visible as it makes a plunge into the sea ... and then the reverberating micro splash becomes visible too! ... then the splashing begins and then you will notice the quiet ooooh-ing and ahhhh-ing that surrounds you as if you were in some spiritual theater on a exclusive viewing on hallowed waters :) enjoy~
###
I was camping there last week and two distant lines of bow wake on either side of our kayaks were lit up blue green as well as each paddle stroke. If we put our hands in the water and shook them it lit up brightly as well. splashing ourselves with water resulted in sparkles and when i rolled, i sculled repeatedly and erractically while under water to watch the effect which was spectacular in the otherwise darkness.
gregg :o)
###
I have to admit that my expectations for this tour were very low.
BUT, this is a "Must See" experience!! We set out for ### Island. There is a stretch called "Pine Flat" where it is easy to land. After grabbing a snack and a sip of water the
darkness was beginning to settle in. Norma was the first to notice
that there were "sparkles" in the sand when it was disturbed.
We returned to our boats, and it was as if the rangers at ###
had flipped on the electricity! Every paddle stroke through the eel
grass was a light show! It was absolutely incredible! As we cleared
the grass and headed south toward White Gulch, our bow wave was
aglow! Fish darting from beneath our canoe left trails of light; the
bat rays flew away as a balls of luminescence! The group sounded like
a bunch of kids as we "Ooooed" and "Wowed!" It was surreal!
We crossed over to the West side of ### Island and listened to the
grunts and croaks of the double-crested cormorants roosting in the
trees. After paddling around the south side of "Piglet" islet we
crossed back guided by the amber lights of ###. The group
returned to the boat launch at about 10:30pm.
Arriving home ### at midnight--we had time to get some sleep,
switch boats and join John D and crew for a Sunday Gorge run.
California--what a great state!
If you want to self-guide, I think a small group could easily do
this. Your IKs and hardshells would be fine out on ### Bay on a
calm night. I've been out on the bay many times in a canoe. Bring a
headlamp, water and snack. A GPS is a good idea too. Red lights allow
paddlers to keep track of one another, and don't ruin one's night
vision. Periodic "count offs" are a must to make sure the group is
intact.
The display is usually visible ###
###but the experience is not to be missed!
Evan
######
In order to protect the pristine nature of this trip you must email me and get specifics... please do not "broadcast" this experience as I have been there several times and not once has any crazy rave parties have been going off... once you have experienced this, you will see how simple my prediction of such a party could take place.
I have removed the above specifics in order to protect the lands and waters that they exist in. email me for them and they are yours on two key terms. 1) you treat the world as if we were borrowing her from our children 2) help me by looking at my very first post on this blog
Thanks
Jay GOsuiCo
outsidejay@gmail.com
2010-
September 4/5/6
sunphase 0640-1933
moonphase 0204-1701
October 8/9
sunphase0709-0839
new moon
rent boats from California Canoe and Kayak tell them Jay sent you.
Get all equipment ready and prepare the return equipment so that a flashlight is ready upon your return. (many hints for what you should have for the take out cooler) be mindful of the residence and how sound carries over water. Put-in after dusk and wait about an hour. The best time is from 10pm to 4am.
Turn off your headlights once you are afloat, paddle in serenity for a few minutes until your pupils begin to dilate to full. You will soon see the faint glow of your bow wake, then the glow as you paddle disturbs the water, then the iridescent vortex that each paddle stroke makes. soon after, the individual drops of water from you paddle become visible as it makes a plunge into the sea ... and then the reverberating micro splash becomes visible too! ... then the splashing begins and then you will notice the quiet ooooh-ing and ahhhh-ing that surrounds you as if you were in some spiritual theater on a exclusive viewing on hallowed waters :) enjoy~
###
I was camping there last week and two distant lines of bow wake on either side of our kayaks were lit up blue green as well as each paddle stroke. If we put our hands in the water and shook them it lit up brightly as well. splashing ourselves with water resulted in sparkles and when i rolled, i sculled repeatedly and erractically while under water to watch the effect which was spectacular in the otherwise darkness.
gregg :o)
###
I have to admit that my expectations for this tour were very low.
BUT, this is a "Must See" experience!! We set out for ### Island. There is a stretch called "Pine Flat" where it is easy to land. After grabbing a snack and a sip of water the
darkness was beginning to settle in. Norma was the first to notice
that there were "sparkles" in the sand when it was disturbed.
We returned to our boats, and it was as if the rangers at ###
had flipped on the electricity! Every paddle stroke through the eel
grass was a light show! It was absolutely incredible! As we cleared
the grass and headed south toward White Gulch, our bow wave was
aglow! Fish darting from beneath our canoe left trails of light; the
bat rays flew away as a balls of luminescence! The group sounded like
a bunch of kids as we "Ooooed" and "Wowed!" It was surreal!
We crossed over to the West side of ### Island and listened to the
grunts and croaks of the double-crested cormorants roosting in the
trees. After paddling around the south side of "Piglet" islet we
crossed back guided by the amber lights of ###. The group
returned to the boat launch at about 10:30pm.
Arriving home ### at midnight--we had time to get some sleep,
switch boats and join John D and crew for a Sunday Gorge run.
California--what a great state!
If you want to self-guide, I think a small group could easily do
this. Your IKs and hardshells would be fine out on ### Bay on a
calm night. I've been out on the bay many times in a canoe. Bring a
headlamp, water and snack. A GPS is a good idea too. Red lights allow
paddlers to keep track of one another, and don't ruin one's night
vision. Periodic "count offs" are a must to make sure the group is
intact.
The display is usually visible ###
###but the experience is not to be missed!
Evan
######
In order to protect the pristine nature of this trip you must email me and get specifics... please do not "broadcast" this experience as I have been there several times and not once has any crazy rave parties have been going off... once you have experienced this, you will see how simple my prediction of such a party could take place.
I have removed the above specifics in order to protect the lands and waters that they exist in. email me for them and they are yours on two key terms. 1) you treat the world as if we were borrowing her from our children 2) help me by looking at my very first post on this blog
Thanks
Jay GOsuiCo
outsidejay@gmail.com
2010-
September 4/5/6
sunphase 0640-1933
moonphase 0204-1701
October 8/9
sunphase0709-0839
new moon
rent boats from California Canoe and Kayak tell them Jay sent you.
07 August 2010
meteors and starfire, asteroids and satellites
Tuesday through Saturday August 10 to August 14 10pm to 0400am
2010
NO moon night on Tuesday August 10, 2010
Persied Meteor showers Peak on Thursday August 12, 2010
They will be visible anytime August 10 thru the Saturday the 14
Best from 10 pm to 4 am (from 12-60 shoots per hour)
Best from lake side in foot hills or sierra granite (no trees) summit
Kayak or Hike under StarFire!
Bring warm clothes.
http://www.seasky.org/astronomy/astronomy_calendar_2010.html
The Earth in its orbit travels through two large asteroid belts every
year. We are currently traveling thru near center of the largest one
The Persieds, coupled with the NO moon night, producing more shooting stars than ever! (well every
300yrs or so)
I believe finding a kayak in campground like the ones in Lake Sonoma
and Cherry Lake, Wright's lake, Echo Lake and Fallen Leaf Lake are
best for this but any area clear of trees and lights can make this an
unforgettable show. Maybe a fire look out station for those who don't
like water. We use satellites now so many of them have turned into
remote camping destinations. Airstrips or Observatories.
Squaw Valley will be hosting an event at high camp just above the tram ride:
http://www.squaw.com/perseid-meteor-shower-mountaintop-campout
***Bonus information: when to look for satellites (an hour after sunset)
We (the earth) is in the shadow. The Satellites are still in high
orbit and reflect the suns rays down to us via their solar wings
because they are still in the sun's direct path.They will be the
opening act.
And finding constellations (often too difficult due to the shear
number of stars above) can now be done thru apps such as starwalk for iphones and google sky
maps for androids. It took me twenty years to learn what Kasey downloaded in 8 seconds for free
Vietnamese noodle soup in a thermos makes this adventure an ideal
summer adventure! :) but top ramen will do
http://www.theskyscrapers.org/me
http://stardate.org/nightsky/meteors/
enjoy. and thanks
2010
NO moon night on Tuesday August 10, 2010
Persied Meteor showers Peak on Thursday August 12, 2010
They will be visible anytime August 10 thru the Saturday the 14
Best from 10 pm to 4 am (from 12-60 shoots per hour)
Best from lake side in foot hills or sierra granite (no trees) summit
Kayak or Hike under StarFire!
Bring warm clothes.
http://www.seasky.org/astronomy/astronomy_calendar_2010.html
The Earth in its orbit travels through two large asteroid belts every
year. We are currently traveling thru near center of the largest one
The Persieds, coupled with the NO moon night, producing more shooting stars than ever! (well every
300yrs or so)
I believe finding a kayak in campground like the ones in Lake Sonoma
and Cherry Lake, Wright's lake, Echo Lake and Fallen Leaf Lake are
best for this but any area clear of trees and lights can make this an
unforgettable show. Maybe a fire look out station for those who don't
like water. We use satellites now so many of them have turned into
remote camping destinations. Airstrips or Observatories.
Squaw Valley will be hosting an event at high camp just above the tram ride:
http://www.squaw.com/perseid-meteor-shower-mountaintop-campout
***Bonus information: when to look for satellites (an hour after sunset)
We (the earth) is in the shadow. The Satellites are still in high
orbit and reflect the suns rays down to us via their solar wings
because they are still in the sun's direct path.They will be the
opening act.
And finding constellations (often too difficult due to the shear
number of stars above) can now be done thru apps such as starwalk for iphones and google sky
maps for androids. It took me twenty years to learn what Kasey downloaded in 8 seconds for free
Vietnamese noodle soup in a thermos makes this adventure an ideal
summer adventure! :) but top ramen will do
http://www.theskyscrapers.org/me
http://stardate.org/nightsky/meteors/
enjoy. and thanks
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