"In the absence of heavy visitor traffic and regular staff wildlife management, the burgeoning elephant seal colony that has been drifting along the shoreline from Chimney Rock for several years appears to have gotten a foot-hold at Drakes Beach. By Monday, there were about 50 females with 40 pups and more on the way, as well as a dominant bull and several subordinates. Some of them in recent weeks had been found up in the parking lot, under picnic tables and even on the ramp up toward the visitor center, having clambered over a wooden fence and leaving it in pieces. For the moment, the road to Drakes Beach from Sir Francis Drake Boulevard is temporarily closed to all motorized and foot traffic, and the shuttle service itself is in question, though park administrators and scientists are trying to work out a plan that would allow the public some opportunity to view the new pupping group safely without disturbing them." FULL STORY: https://www.pressdemocrat.com/...

Sunset at the beaches in Point Reyes tonight. Nice to have the park open and staff getting paid. Let's not do that again. #sunset #shutdownover

Good news via Point Reyes NPS: "We're back online! The park will resume operations on Sunday, January 27,2019 with the Bear Valley Visitor Center reopening at 9am. It will take some time to return to regular operations (eg. clearing trails). Please be patient as we work towards that goal. Stay tuned."

Anyone else see those two military choppers that just came down the bay?

Orange moon snuck up tonight. #moon #inverness

"The county is pressing ahead with new overnight parking regulations on C Street in Point Reyes Station, answering a call from homeowners near the Giacomini Wetlands trailhead to address unlawful activity. The county's deputy zoning administrator approved a coastal development permit last week, submitted by the Department of Public Works at the request of the Point Reyes Station Village Association for a new parking ban on C Street between Third and Sixth Streets from the hours of 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. Assuming no one appeals the coastal permit before Jan. 22, the county will set a date for the resolution to come before the Board of Supervisors, the ultimate decision-makers." FULL STORY: https://www.ptreyeslight.com/a...

Community Potluck Fundraiser at the Dance Palace on Saturday, Jan 26 starting at 6:00pm. Share in our community's kind-heartedness and consideration of those in need at a community potluck fundraiser for local community members, Leah Fritts and Arron Wilder whose families lost their homes and businesses due to the Camp Wildfire. Bring a dish to share and donate what you can afford. Lasagnas - vegetarian or meat options - will be provided. Live music will be provided by Danny Vitali and Friends. RSVP: By Wednesday, January 23, contact Danielle Fogel or email danielle@dancepalace.org.

This guy was making the most of his commute in West Marin today. #wheelie

Not something you see often. High tide hijinx.

Chicken Ranch Beach in Inverness not looking very beach like during today's #kingtide

Happening tomorrow (Sunday) night: "A Super Blood Wolf Moon will appear overnight on Jan. 20 to 21 and will be visible to the entirety of North and South America. The eclipse is referred to as a "super blood moon" "“ "super" because the moon will be closest to the Earth in its orbit during the full moon and "blood" because the total lunar eclipse will give the moon a reddish hue. It takes the wolf name from Native American traditions." FULL STORY: https://www.al.com/news/2019/0...

And, it happened. Wasn't sure we'd get there this year. #marinstorm (Thx SP)

"A pair of PG&E workers are being credited Thursday with rescuing a man who had fallen down a 30-foot cliff and lost consciousness in a swollen creek in West Marin, according to county officials. At about 4 p.m., the PG&E workers witnessed the man fall along Lucas Valley Road and rushed to his side. Supervisor Todd Beesley, 47, of Antioch, was with lineman Daniel Linn, 40, of Brentwood, and they saw the man fall and hit his head on a rock, the county said. The two workers went down the cliff and found the man face-down in the flooded creek, Marin County Fire Department Battalion Chief Jeremey Pierce said. They pulled him from the water and rendered aid until emergency responders arrived at the scene, about three miles east of the village of Nicasio. The unidentified man was transported in serious condition to Marin General Hospital. He had stepped out of a vehicle just before he fell, the PG&E workers said." FULL STORY: https://www.nbcbayarea.com/new...

"Tomales Bay Illness Closure lifted on January 17, 2019, at 12:49 PM. Hog Island Oyster Co. and all other oyster growers in Tomales Bay received an email from California Department of Health (CDPH) Environmental Management Branch on Thursday, January 17, stating that results from the Food and Drug Laboratory reported oyster meat samples collected from Tomales Bay came back negative for norovirus. CDPH has lifted the illness closure for Tomales Bay. Tomales Bay remains closed due to heavy winter rains. Harvesting will resume when the standard rainfall closure is lifted. Hog Island Oyster Co. locations in Marshall, San Francisco and Napa remain open during the closure, selling oysters purchased from trusted shellfish growers in Washington State, and beyond." FULL STORY: https://www.prnewswire.com/new...

This hawk is hobbling around by the side of the road on Sir Francis Drake just outside Inverness. Be careful driving by, I hope he finds his way.

The road to Drakes Beach in Point Reyes is now closed during the shut down and there is no access.

Video from January 16, 2019 of an electrical transformer in Point Reyes exploding during the #marinstorm

From Marin DPW: "Road Update: Lucas Valley Road is open but is down to one lane near the 6000 block. @CHPMarin is controlling traffic through the one lane section. @PGE4Me still working on power lines. Expect traffic delays. Use alternative routes."

Not much information available this morning. Apparently power is back on in Point Reyes and Lucas Valley Road is still closed. Can anyone confirm either of those two things?

A reminder, if you want to see updates in a timely, chronological fashion, you can follow The West Marin Feed on twitter and/or go to the web site and avoid social media all together.

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/westma...

Web: http://thewestmarinfeed.com/

And if you see something worth reporting, let me know. Thanks for your support!

Sounds like a transformer just blew in Point Reyes and power is out. People say they saw a big flash across the bay. Can anyone confirm?

Shoreline Hwy between Olema and Point Reyes is extremely flooded. Use caution if you have to go that way. Should probably be shut down soon. Also, Tomales-Petaluma Road is closed between Shoreline Highway and Twin Bridge Road due to a tree down. #marinstorm

"Shoreline Highway is partially blocked in the vicinity of Five brooks due to multiple trees down. Traffic control for one way traffic is in effect with debris in the roadway. -rd (via KWMR)

Tree down on Via de la Vista in Inverness.

Important info for the morning commute: "Marin County Fire estimates that Lucas Valley Road will remain closed through Thursday evening to complete the work needed to repair the PG&E power lines in the area."

Just heard a report that another tree is down on Bear Valley Rd. blocking one lane. Use caution.

"Powerline down at beginning of Overlook in Point Reyes Station. Area closed. People Cannot go in or out. No ETA of PGE coming." (thx AV)

People reporting that Lucas Valley Rd is closed due to a downed power line and possible fire. @MarinSheriff @CHPMarin (thx AN,BE)

Report of a mudslide blocking one lane on Platform Bridge Rd. in Olema. Drive carefully. Wind and rain supposed to really kick into gear this evening. (thx IW)

SIGN UP FOR NIXLE ALERTS. Tell everyone you know to sign up for Nixle: "NWS issued Flash Flood Watch for Marin County from 1/16/19 3 pm to 1/17/19 3 am. Time to prepare. The National Weather Service in San Francisco has issued a Flash Flood Watch for the Bay Area and Central Coast of California. From Wednesday afternoon through late Wednesday night. A strong cold front will bring heavy rain Wednesday afternoon through early Thursday morning. Urban and small stream flooding will become likely along with rapid rises on main stem rivers. Small creeks and streams may rapidly rise near or above
bankfull. Take action now to protect property by sand bagging flood prone locations.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding. Flash flooding is a very dangerous situation. You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.

"¢ Heavy rain may cause mud and rock slides onto roads and areas of urban flooding

"¢ Strong winds may cause travel impacts and areas of downed trees, power outages and property damage"

WARNING: https://local.nixle.com/alert/...

NIXLE SIGN UP: https://local.nixle.com/regist...

Tree down on Bear Valley Rd in Point Reyes. Very dangerous, be careful.

"Like many artists, Gordon Bryan wondered how he'd make a living in the art world. Despite training under renowned California figure painter Elmer Bischoff, he decided not to continue with fine art and, instead, took a different path "” clay. For the last three decades, the Point Reyes craftsman has created handmade tile at Blue Slide Art Tile, which he runs with his wife of more than 30 years, Pamela Bridges. Since 2001, they've operated out of a converted Chevron oil depot in Point Reyes Station." FULL STORY: https://www.marinij.com/2019/0...

You never know who's out there watching you.

"Please join us tomorrow for the Marin County Safe Routes to School stakeholder meeting at West Marin School . As stakeholders we hope to increase safety and update infrastructure for the youngest members of our community to safely travel to and from school by foot and/or bike.

Please know if you cannot attend the meeting, you can find comment cards at: the Point Reyes Library, the West Marin School, the The Lounge: Tomales Bay Youth Center and KWMR - West Marin Community Radio.

Thank you in advance for taking the time to do this important work with our representatives from Caltrans HQ, Marin County Department of Public Works, Marin County Safe Routes to School and Supervisor Dennis Rodoni to accomplish this important task. We are grateful. "” with Kasandra Semorile and 5 others." - MH

Is anyone else having trouble with Verizon and their iPhone (or mobile phone) in West Marin? People are reporting the network is down and they can't make calls or text.

"ªA newly born elephant seal in Point Reyes. Nature does not shut down. Please keep the park clean and do not mess with the animals. Thank you. #elephantseal #pup"¬

BLUNK BROTHERS: PAINTINGS AND SCULPTURES BY BRUNO AND RUFUS BLUNK - OPENING RECEPTION & GALLERY TALKS at the Bolinas Musuem / January 12, 2-5 PM. Show runs from January 12 "“ March 17, 2019 "Inspired by the work of their father, renowned California artist J.B. Blunk, Inverness-based artists Bruno and Rufus Blunk developed their own unique art practices. Raised on the Inverness Ridge in the hand"“built home constructed by their parents, the brothers were influenced by the resourceful lifestyle that merged art, nature, and life into one seamless creative environment. The studios, homes and philosophies of family, friends, and artists Gordon Onslow Ford, John Anderson and Jack Wright fostered the brothers' interest in history and art making. Though deeply connected to the place where they were born, the brothers had their father's wanderlust. Both traveled for decades, and the colors, textures and forms of India, Africa, South America, Turkey, Russia and Nepal are revealed in their work. The artists live and create on their own terms, and the vibrant paintings and wooden sculptures presented in this exhibition reflect their curiosity, playfulness, and independence" SITE: http://bolinasmuseum.org/galle...

Solo car accident on Sir Francis Drake near Rannoch in Inverness. Hopefully everyone ok. Drive safe, it's super slick out there. (Thx DL)

"Is anyone collecting food for our Marin County residents who are in the Coast Guard? Does this need to be organized?" - asked by Brittany Bell

Any from Point Reyes? "Special Delivery: After doing some trash cleanup at national park sites in their districts, @RepSpeier and @RepHuffman plan to hand-deliver some of the garbage that has piled up during the shutdown to the White House this afternoon." https://twitter.com/benyc/stat...

From Bay Area NWS: "WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM TUESDAY TO 10 AM PST
WEDNESDAY. Southerly winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph along the coast and in the higher elevations. Local gust up to 60 mph will be possible in the region`s ridges and peaks."

Rainbow snuck in between storms in Point Reyes today. #rainbow

From DC: "And now the Senate has adjourned until Tuesday afternoon. That means no action on the partial shutdown until next week."

From PRNPS: "Restroom facilities remain limited, not serviced, and may not be available. Restrooms are currently not available at Bear Valley, Palomarin, Divide Meadow, Drakes Beach, & McClures Beach. Restrooms can close without notice. Please use the restroom before entering the park. Park regulations, including violations of a closure orders, wildlife harassment, pet restrictions, and improper disposal of human waste, remain in effect and are enforced."

From Bay Area NWS: "Rain will return to the area this weekend as the first in a series of storms arrives. Additional systems will bring more rain and possibly gusty winds into the middle of next week."

Green Hauling LLC out of Novato is donating time to come out to Point Reyes to collect trash at high impact areas starting today.

Trash piling up at Limantour Beach in Point Reyes. Photo by https://twitter.com/amychamart...

Found out at the beaches in Point Reyes.

From Marin Public Works: "What should you do with your old #Christmas tree?!? Don't let it end up in the #landfill, make sure it gets into the #compost! Each town/area in #MarinCounty has different #recycling requirements, so here's a helpful cheat sheet: https://bit.ly/2BHR7nR #ZeroWasteMarin #recycle"

"Visitors to West Marin who lodge in short-term rentals will have to pay a 14 percent transient occupancy tax starting Tuesday, thanks to the passage of Measure W. The tax, which was approved by 76.53 percent of the voters in November, is a 4 percent increase to the existing 10 percent transient occupancy tax. Campers in West Marin will now also be subject to a 4 percent TOT fee."

FULL STORY: https://www.marinij.com/2018/1...

"The government shutdown is impacting services at Point Reyes National Seashore in Marin County. On Sunday, park officials announced unsanitary conditions and public safety concerns are prompting the park to close more of its facilities. On any given day, the park has about 80 to 90 employees. It's now down to 8 to 10 people on duty who are mostly park rangers.

With the lapse in federal funding, the park announced popular Palomarin parking lot and trailhead is now closed. Dirty restrooms there are creating a health hazard. Drakes Beach is also closed to protect pregnant elephant seals and the public from aggressive male seals."

FULL STORY: http://www.ktvu.com/news/gover...

Spotted on the levee road outside of Point Reyes Station. Seems like a solid message for 2019. (Thx SP)

It wasn't our most popular post in 2018, but it was one of our favorites. Dream a little dream.

If you're looking for something to do tonight, local legends El Radio Fantastique are playing at The Western. If you do go out, please, be safe.

CONDITION UPDATE FROM Point Reyes NPS:
- Public access to the Palomarin Trailhead has been closed due to health and safety concerns. There is no vehicle access beyond the paved portion of Mesa Road.
Remember, restroom facilities and trash service are very limited throughout the park.
-Public Access to Drakes Beach south of the Ken Patrick Visitor Center is closed for public safety concerns.

Remember, restroom facilities and trash services are very limited throughout the park

Apparently the Marin County Sheriff handed out some tickets to bicyclists today on Rt. 1 in Marshall. Not sure about the details, but interesting to see that it does happen. (Thx ECV)

NWS: "Clear skies, light winds, and a dry air mass this weekend will allow temperatures to drop to some of the lowest values so far this season. Many areas will see temperatures fall into the 30s."

Going to be windy tomorrow, batten down the hatches. From NWS Bay Area: "Northerly winds are forecast to increase Thursday morning, with widespread gusty winds expected by midday, especially in the hills and locally in northeast Contra Costa County. Winds will diminish at lower elevations Thursday Night but remain gusty in the hills."

Power is out in parts of Inverness Park this morning. PG&E has no estimated time of restoration yet. "Our preliminary determination is that your outage was caused by an equipment issue." Check status here: https://m.pge.com/#outages

"The community Christmas Eve Candle Lighting & Carols Service, led by members of the West Marin community, celebrates the universal meaning of the Christmas story. For the last many years it has been at the Dance Palace, but given that they no longer allow the lighting of candles, the Point Reyes Community Presbyterian Church has opened their doors for the service to be held in their sanctuary this year. It takes place on Monday evening, December 24th at 5:15 P.M."

An update on that crash, "Not all heroes wear capes. This Poncia Trucking driver ditched his rig today to avoid a car that pulled out in front of him. Quite the Christmas gift." We saw the other car in the ditch, a hero indeed. Thanks @timmy_the_drain

Bad accident on the PR/Petaluma Rd. Everyone looks ok, drive safe, it's very slippery.

Another sign of the government shutdown in Point Reyes. #governmentshutdown #cypresstreetunnel

Bear Valley visitor centered closed. "During the federal government shutdown, we will not monitor or update social media. Some Point Reyes National Seashore areas are accessible; however access may change without notice, and there are no NPS-provided services. For more information, see nps.gov/pore/index.htm"

Medical emergency, Reach helicopter transporting someone from Inverness. Hopefully they're ok.

No word on what shutdown means for the park, but the salmon are running. From PRNPS: "This year is the largest #coho run in Point Reyes in over a decade! Park biologists saw almost 100 adult coho and over 50 redds (nesting sites) while surveying Olema Creek yesterday. #ParkScience"

Happy Winter Solstice! And here's to days getting longer! Sunset at the big beach in Point Reyes.

Tide was super high today at the boatel in Inverness. From Bay Area NWS: "Coastal Flood Advisory in effect from 8 am to 12 pm tomorrow due to large tidal fluctuations (King Tides). High tides will occur mid morning followed by extreme low tides late afternoon. Exact height and timing will vary. Please visit: bit.ly/2AahDWO for specifics"

It's elephant seal time in Point Reyes and this gentleman demonstrates exactly what not to do. Please keep your distance. #selfie

Anyone else see this in the sky tonight? This is from Nicasio. (Thx CL)

"The Trump administration signaled its support Wednesday for Rep. Jared Huffman's controversial bill to extend the leases of several historic Point Reyes National Seashore ranches. The bill seeks to fulfill a 2012 promise of former Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to the ranches to provide them longer leases so as to improve their economic security and decision-making." FULL STORY: https://www.marinij.com/2018/1...

Big thresher shark washed up on the beach in Point Reyes. #shark #beach (thx NW)

From NWS Bay Area. This is a serious one, be safe. "Very large WNW swell to arrive Sunday and Monday. Cold and unforgiving Pacific waters accompanied with large waves are life threatening. Keep a safe distance from the ocean. Please don't become a statistic. Every year we lose many people to the cold waters of the Pacific. On Sunday long period waves will arrive along the coast. These high energy waves will run high up on area beaches. Sunday nite and Mon seas in excess of 20 ft will pound the coast."

"The Geminid meteor shower, expected to peak late Thursday and early Friday, promises to be the astronomical apex of 2018. With hundreds of meteors sailing across the night skies, Earthlings are in for quite a sight. And best of all, Thursday's weather in the Bay Area is expected to cooperate nicely: Forecasts call for clear skies with inland temperatures dipping into the mid-40s. The slow-moving Geminids are unique because they're only one of two showers that originate from an asteroid instead of a comet. And with their full basket of meteors annually piercing the night sky for as many as eight hours, the Geminids are a favorite among astronomers." FULL STORY: https://www.pressdemocrat.com/...

Looks like a BMW slid off the road on Sir Francis Drake in Inverness by Redwood. Hopefully everyone ok. Road should be clear in a couple of minutes.

From a TWMF follower: "Gunshots detected twice in Inverness Park over the last few days. Friday night around 7pm, and last night around 10pm. As an avid hunter/sportsman, it sounds like a small caliber handgun coming from Carmencita or Laurel. One shot and done. Racoons? Remember, it's illegal to fire in a residential area. Know your target and beyond."

Super thick fog this morning, drive safe.

"A California sea lion tracked since its birth seven years ago was recently found dead with several gunshot wounds on a Point Reyes National Seashore beach (Kehoe), the national park reported Friday. It is one of hundreds of gunshot cases that have been documented by local marine mammal rescue officials over the years. John Dell'Osso, the national seashore's chief of interpretation and resource education, said a visitor found the male sea lion a little more than a week ago and snapped a photo of it, which showed it had gunshot wounds." FULL STORY: https://www.marinij.com/2018/1...

From local artist Whitman Shenk: "My ceramics exhibit opens Friday December 7th at Toby's and runs through the month. Opening reception is Friday the 7th, 4-7pm. I'm proud to share these pots which represent the last two years of my work. We will have cheese and wine for the adults and pizza for the kids, hope to see you there." MORE INFO: https://www.facebook.com/event...