A TWMF supporter sent in a link to this audio tour of the ranches in Point Reyes. If anyone gives it a try, let us know if its worth the money. (thx RB)
LINK: https://voicemap.me/tour/point

"I know one of the two people who accidentally set this landmark, and iconic photo location ablaze. He thought he was being careful, but physics took over and the unthinkable happened. The old shipwreck burned. He feels terrible and has admitted to his part. I'll admit the pics that came from the session he and his friend shot look cool. That said, I wish it didn't happen." - Matt Grans Flickr Page: https://www.flickr.com/photos/

""The cause of the fire is unknown, but Chief Fox said, “Someone called up and wanted their names cleared from being the cause of it.” He added that as far as his department is concerned, the cause of the fire and who is to blame for it is likely to remain a mystery." We'll never know who set the fire, but we have learned what 'spinning fire wool' is. What a bummer. FULL MARINIJ STORY: http://www.marinij.com/general

And the plot thickens. Forest DeSante posted this screen capture on his FB page of a photo that was posted last night. This explains the 'why', now time for the 'who'?
https://www.facebook.com/perma

Wayward elephant seal at Drakes. Owning it.

Ok, this is big news. Serious parking paint in front of Tobys! No more messing around. (Thx AN)

Almost a direct hit! Heavy wind last night, anyone else have any damage?

"An online petition to lure Dennis Rodoni of Olema into the 4th District’s supervisor race may bear fruit: Mr. Rodoni, a lifelong West Marin resident and the owner of Rodoni Construction, who challenged Mr. Kinsey for the seat over a decade ago, said he is considering a run. “I need to sit down and talk with family,” he said on Wednesday. “It’s a hard decision, because it’s a big commitment.” THE PETITION:
https://www.change.org/p/the-v
POINT REYES LIGHT ARTICLE: http://www.ptreyeslight.com/ar

You knew it was coming. Holiday traffic is here, don't leave the house if you don't have to...

From ABC News, "The recent rains have brought to life a gem in the Bay Area – Alamere Falls in the Point Reyes National Seashore. http://abc7ne.ws/1o4vZzL"

Uh oh. "A year after an oyster farm was forced to shut down at Point Reyes National Seashore, sparking a bitter controversy over the role of farming in national parks, a coalition of environmentalists on Wednesday filed a lawsuit over a bigger and more explosive target: thousands of dairy and beef cattle in the park. The groups say that park service officials are violating federal law because they are moving forward with a plan to renew 20-year leases to the ranchers without conducting adequate environmental studies on how the thousands of cows are affecting the seashore's scenic resources, including its tule elk." FULL STORY: http://www.mercurynews.com/sci

"The California Coastal Commission fired its executive director Wednesday, defying more than 1,000 people who packed a meeting to support a man they called one of the state’s most important guardians of public access to the coastline." FULL STORY: http://www.sfgate.com/science/

Just in time for Valentine's Day! A West Marin love story (in SFGate no less). "Claire Herminjard did not want to date a meat guy. When she met David Evans in 2010, she was looking for business advice. The two felt a flash of connection when they realized how much their ideals about agriculture, and life, lined up. They probably even fell in love that day. But the timing wasn’t right because Herminjard had made it a rule: Do not get involved with a meat guy." FULL LOVE STORY: http://www.sfchronicle.com/rec

Tomorrow is the big showdown in Morro Bay over the removal of the California Coastal Commission's Executive Director Charles Lester. "The (removal) campaign was spurred by (those) who would prefer a less restrictive approach to coastal development projects and are hoping to replace Lester with someone more compliant to their will." Legions are expected to attend Wednesday’s 10 a.m. hearing on the Central Coast, prompting staffers to move it to a larger venue. FULL STORY: http://www.pressdemocrat.com/n

A reader shared this: "Kent Lake is spilling. A guy from MMWD told me: 'We're in great shape.' Now if we can just take the rest of the state with us...." So will the Nicasio Reservoir spill over too? And will it ever rain again? (thanks BE)

I heard that someone sighted a mountain lion near the Nicasio School this weekend. While doing research I discovered the 'triple crown' which is where you see a mountain lion, a bobcat and a lynx all in one day. Apparently Miles DeGraffenreid did just that in Walnut Creek recently. Amazing. FULL STORY: http://www.sfgate.com/outdoors

(photo by John Richards of a mountain lion in Palo Alto)

Did anyone catch this??? "Hey @CBS, don't show video of Point Reyes and call it Big Sur. #SuperBowlFail"

Interesting piece of prose from former SF Chronicle columnist Jon Carroll about West Marin. "The place names of West Marin have a totemic quality for me. I can say “Palomarin” or “Estero,” over and over, and they never lose their power." FULL ESSAY: https://joncarrollprose.wordpr

Name this spot in Point Reyes that was handling the massive swell today. No takers. (thx AN)

Great sunset this morning, anyone else get a picture?

It's windy in West Marin! A tree and power lines down on Inverness Way in Inverness. Proceed with caution.

I think Panoramic Highway is still closed today, anyone have details? "A mudslide on Panoramic Highway caused a daylong closure Saturday, cutting off access to parts of Mount Tamalpais State Park. The slide of mud and rocks spilled onto the thoroughfare between Pan Toll Road and the Throckmorton Ridge fire station at about 7:20 a.m. on Saturday, California Highway officials said. No one was injured." FULL STORY: http://www.marinij.com/general

Thursday! I present you this message from the clever folks in Bolinas. (Thx KH)

The 1970's exhibit at The Jack Mason Museum in Inverness looks awesome. MORE INFO: http://www.ptreyeslight.com/ar

Two rangers pulling the old 'tarp' trick on a wayward elephant seal at Drakes Beach. They bluffed him back to the beach without incident.

The rain is gone for now, a gorgeous sunrise this morning over the Estero brings back the light.

"Powerlines down on White's Hill on SFD by Fairfax. One-way traffic control in place." If you're heading over hill. (Thx CC)

King tide and heavy swell bringing all the big boys out of the water at Drakes Beach today.

High surf advisory and coastal flood advisory tomorrow due to another storm and king tides. Stay dry. Be safe. Don't drive through standing bodies of water. Send any updates to TWMF (road closures, etc.)

A coyote has been attacking cars at night on Route One by Slide Ranch. "It is possible, but not probable, that the coyote has eaten something—perhaps a fly agaric mushroom (amanita muscaria) which has hallucinogenic properties." What? Slow news week? FULL STORY: http://pacificsun.com/upfront-

"Apparently, the National Park Service has decided that the money would be better spent in other ways. So unless something changes, or an outside donor drops a significant pile of cash in the near future, Point Reyes’ Morgan Horse Ranch will cease operation once the last horse dies."
FULL STORY: http://pacificsun.com/feature-

Its not what's in this picture that's important, its what NOT in this picture that's important. Any guesses? Good stuff. (thx SP)

This just in: "Park rangers and fire units are on scene with an overturned grain truck on Sir Francis Drake at B ranch". Beyond that, haven't heard word of any other road closures. If you have some information, or any other storm updates, post it here. (update via KWMR)

Blue sky and fog after the storm.

Blast from the past. If your passing through Inverness early in the morning, there's a good chance you'll see Banana walking down the side of the road...

IMPORTANT ALERT: The 'cheap' gas station in San Anselmo that many of us use when over the hill had a credit card scammer machine on the pumps and at least 20 people have had money stolen from their bank accounts. If you've bought gas from there in the last 60 days, check your bank activity. Please share. FULL STORY: http://abc7news.com/news/skimm

"An overturned tractor-trailer has dumped its load of soda drinks into creek on Panoramic Hwy at mile marker 6.28 near Pan Toll. EB lane shut" via KWMR Radio
https://twitter.com/KWMRradio/

Well, we've had big storm predictions before, but they seem pretty sure about this one. A 'yellow' alert has been issued for Marin for the next 72 hours meaning flooding is possible. Stay dry, stay safe. Here is the forecast:

Fri Jan 15: Rain likely after 4 PM otherwise partly sunny. Between 0.2” to 0.4” of precipitation in coastal, northern, and higher terrain locations.

Sat Jan 16: Rain. The rain can be heavy at times, especially between 4 AM to 10 AM. Approximately 0.2” to 0.4” of precipitation in coastal, northern, and higher terrain locations.

Sun Jan 17: Rain. The rain can be heavy at times, especially between 4 PM and 10 PM. Approximately 1” of precipitation and over 1.75” possible in coastal and higher terrain locations.

Mon Jan 18: Rain likely. The rain could be heavy at times.

Ashley Steward is a teacher who lives in Bolinas, teaches in Bodega Bay and desperately needed help with her car. Its an amazing story with a great ending (her goal was met! in one day!) and illustrates the power of a strong community. I wish there was more of this. FULL STORY: https://www.gofundme.com/teach

"The Marin County Sheriff’s Office is investigating what it describes as a “suspicious” death in Bolinas. The body was found floating in the surf Wednesday morning. Sheriff’s Lt. Doug Pittman said the body is a man and thus not the missing University of California student whose car and belongings were found over the weekend near the Point Reyes Lighthouse."
FULL STORY: http://www.marinij.com/general

Make sure the gutters are clear. "In brief, the El Nino forecast calls for more rain Thursday and Saturday before a “super soaker” that amounts to a “firehose pointed at the North Bay” moves in late Sunday or early Monday, National Weather Service forecaster Steve Anderson said."
FULL STORY: http://www.marinij.com/general

Cohos spawning in Olema Creek. Now is the time, pretty cool. Via Loretta Farley's Park Wavelengths email.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?

Allioooooop found this little guy down in Bolinas.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BA

Secret art spot of the day. Do you know where to find this gem? Bonus points if you know who did it.

MISSING PERSON: "Shuqin Zhang, 22 year old, Asian Female, last seen in Berkeley on January 7 at 1:30 a.m. Shuqin's vehicle was found at Point Reyes near the lighthouse area. The vehicle was unoccupied and search efforts are underway. The National Park Service, US Coast Guard and Marin County Search and Rescue are currently looking for Shuqin. Berkeley PD investigators are on scene and coordinating with those agencies. We are asking anyone who may have seen Shuqin or her vehicle coming into the area to contact the Berkeley Police Department at 510-981-5900."
https://local.nixle.com/alert/

Reposting this story about a local physican who worked at the Coastal Health Alliance in West Marin and recently had her medical license suspended. A few people felt posting her picture and story details was not appropriate on FB. If you wish to read the full story, you can go to the Marin IJ article here: http://www.marinij.com/article
I'd be curious to hear what other people think, its an interesting dialogue about private versus personal information, community news, social media, etc.

Lots of pictures of the 'ghost ship' of Point Reyes on social media, this one definitely stands out. Photo by Michael Graef.
https://twitter.com/MikeyGraef

From CHPMarin at 6:47am: "Where there's flooding we usually find debris as well. Report of a tree down on Lucas Vly Rd near Nicasio Vly Rd. Avoid the area."

Storm number three (the big one) coming tonight: "Prepare today for tomorrows commute by planning to leave early. The @NWSBayArea has issued a flash flood watch for much of #Marin. #ElNino" - CHPMarin

Lots of rain and lots of birds at Chicken Ranch Beach. Anyone know why? Sitting out the storm? Herring?

Very sad, thanks to the rescue crews for the time they put in. "Authorities believe a body found just south of McClure’s Beach Sunday was that of a 62-year-old San Jose man reported missing the day before.Searchers discovered the body about 11 a.m. about 100 feet down a cliff, according to Lt. Doug Pittman, county sheriff’s spokesman.Authorities think the man may have stumbled over the cliff." MORE INFO: http://www.marinij.com/general

(thx to Richard James for photo)

Breaking update from @pointreyesnps:
"Tolay, the elephant seal relocated from Highway 37, gave birth to a pup yesterday! The birth was observed from the elephant seal overlook at Chimney Rock. Photo by Winter Wildlife Docent, Jim Rolka"

This is a big deal. "Veteran Supervisor Steve Kinsey’s decision to call it quits without an heir apparent has triggered a behind-the-scenes political scramble. Only one candidate, Alex Easton-Brown, has declared an intention to run for the seat at stake on the June ballot, but several others are lining up, including Kinsey’s political aide, David Escobar of Pittsburg." FULL STORY: http://www.marinij.com/governm

A dramatic sky in Point Reyes tonight with whales spouting everywhere. (Sorry for re-post, technical issue)

The first sunset of 2016, here's to a good year! (Thx AN)

In spite of freezing cold temperatures, a 'spare the air' alert has been issued for tomorrow (Saturday, Jan 3). "First-time violators have the option of taking a wood smoke awareness class, online or by mail, in lieu of paying a $100 ticket. Second violations will result in a $500 ticket, and subsequent ticket amounts go higher."
MORE INFO HERE: http://www.marinij.com/environ

ALERT! Super icy on the roads this morning, people are reporting sliding all over Sir Francis Drake. Black ice too. Use extreme caution when driving.

Here is Tolay, the wayward pregnant elephant seal, out at the elephant seal overlook in Point Reyes. Great job by everybody who worked really hard to make this a happy ending. She is tagged, so they'll be able to follow her general progress.
http://www.marinscope.com/saus

"Tolay" the unfortunate pregnant elephant seal who caused a major traffic jam on Hwy 37 the last two days was finally picked up and transported to Point Reyes to be released out at Chimney Rock. Good luck out there Tolay! - More: http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news

Some members of the Environmental Action Committee of West Marin were out at the elephant seal overlook in Point Reyes today when their fourteen year old son spotted this rare (and threatened) green sea turtle. Amazing. (Thx MP) EAC FB: https://www.facebook.com/eacma