Posted under day trips & local wildlife
[Photo: One of the famous Martinez Beavers, photographed by Cheryl Reynolds]
Next Saturday, August 2, there will be a festival from 3:30-6:30 PM in Martinez, California to celebrate the return of beavers to that town a couple of years ago, and their successful raising of some baby beavers. This is a really easy trip from the East Bay, only 30 minutes by car from Berkeley or you could take Amtrak and sit in style while watching the beautiful scenery (the tracks follow the bay all the way around, unlike the freeway, so you see stuff you can’t see if you drive). My wife and I have gone a couple of times, and I’ve even ridden my bike there from Berkeley (although I would not claim that it was easy). Martinez is a great little town. Once, we went to see the beavers early in the morning and then did some birdwatching at the slough farther downstream; another time, we took our bikes along and rode the really splendid bike route from Martinez to Crockett and back. Have lunch or dinner in Martinez and tell ‘em you’re there for the beavers — honestly, that is the best way to help ensure that the beavers continue to have a home, because, believe it or not, there are some people there who want to get rid of the beavers! So just by going to the festival and having a drink or some food at a local joint, it’s a bit like making a donation (as long as you mention that you came for the beavers). Can’t beat that!
More about the beavers is at the “worth a dam” blog (which doesn’t prominently mention the festival because the information has been pushed down the page by recent entries, but these are the people organizing the festival). There’s also an article on the Bay Nature website. Bay Nature is a Bay-Area-specific nature magazine (as you might, just might, have been able to guess from the title) that is really, really good — my wife and I have been getting it since it came out and it is really terrific. But I never before realized that they do stories on their website that they don’t have room for in the magazine, so even if you get the magazine you need to check out their website too. I’ve added it to the blogroll.
Marilyn on 02 Aug 2008 at 7:17 am #
Just want to second the motion for Bay Nature. I’ve been getting it since it started publishing, too, and I just love it. Thanks for the Beaver Festival tip!
admin on 04 Aug 2008 at 8:22 am #
UPDATE: I was out of town and couldn’t go to the festival, but my wife went with a couple of friends. They report that the festival was a huge success — hundreds of people, lots of energy and excitement, they loved it. So, congratulations to the festival organizers and, most of all, congratulations to the beavers!
Jill on 11 Aug 2008 at 12:14 pm #
I wish I had been able to go to the Beaver Festival! When I was in Alaska this summer, I learned a lot about beavers I hadn’t known before. I had no idea they close their nostrils and ears when they go underwater. I wish I had this helpful adaptation! If I want to go see the beavers on my own, where do I go?
admin on 11 Aug 2008 at 2:32 pm #
Jill, thanks for writing. To see the beavers on your own: go to Martinez very early in the morning (try to arrive just before dawn) or, maybe easier, go at dusk. The downtown area of Martinez is pretty small, so you really can’t go wrong, you can just go there and ask anyone “where is the beaver dam”. The answer is, it’s on Castro Street, just above the bridge on Marina Vista. If you’re on the street with the Starbucks and the Mexican restaurant (I forget the name of this street) then you are about two blocks too far upstream. Anyway, you won’t miss the dam or the beaver lodge (a big pile of sticks up against the side of the stream). Just be aware the the beavers work on their schedule, not yours (they’re mostly nocturnal) so don’t be too disappointed if you don’t see them. The dam and lodge and surroundings are still pretty interesting, and the wetlands downstream from the dam are nice too. If you stop in to patronize a local merchant, make sure you mention that you came for the beavers!
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