Do you ever get that feeling that some invisible accident of fate in your life caused you to turn left instead of right at an imperceptible junction and now you are in a beautifully wooded area that has nothing at all to do with the urban place you intended to be? I’ve been feeling that a lot lately. Toto, I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore. The festival is safely over, everything is put away or returned and the still unnamed park that hosted the event has the look of an empty lot after the circus has just left town. But there are traces of tickertape at the edges and I know that something is different. Something important.
This year’s festival had a new character, more sophisticated and (despite the famed beaverettes) less local. It felt like we had floated down the narrow backwaters of Alhambra Creek into the wide Carquinez Strait, past the Napa and Sonoma Rivers , into the bay and right out under the Golden Gate. I’m not sure what triggered it. The otter people? The Coyote people? The Marine Mammal Center? I just knew that even though our feet were firmly anchored in good ol’ Martinez, and the giant inflatable beaver was a surprise from the first man who ever saw the beavers in 2006 – even though it was still OURS – by the end of the day our hair was curled with coastal fog and we were part of something larger. Something permanent.
I thought I’d share a few responses with you, so you could have some idea of how this felt, and if you haven’t watched the slideshow of the day, you should definitely do so. I’m never prepared for the comments I get face to face, people thanking me or saying what a big deal it all was. At the most basic level my impulse was entirely selfish – keeping what I valued. That’s never seemed very noble to me.
IT WAS THE BEST ONE EVER! Loved the inflatable beaver and the Beaverettes were hysterical! Always good to see old friends at this event! Thank you! – Ruth
Twas a lovely slice of life, just the right size, doable for all….. Reminded me of the first Kate Wolf Festival. Well done, ALL THANK YOU – Jill Harcke (John Muir Camp)
You make it happen!! Thanks so much for a well organized, well thought out, fun fun day – Jenny (Native Birds)
Enjoyed the Festival, which seemed bigger and better than ever I hope you give yourself a huge gold star for credit, you have done and incredible service to the beavers and to Martinez. Many comments from people exiting about how they enjoyed it, especially the kids just loved it! Congratulations and thanks for your wonderful efforts. forest
Thanks for posting that. I had a smile on my face watching the whole video. Wonderful job. It looks like it was a huge success and lots of fun. Congratulations to Heidi and everyone else involved- Michale Callahan (Beaver Solutions MA)
OMG what a blast- it gets greater every year. You have carved a place in local history. Love hugs and big smiles -Gail
A well done festival….great participants and good crowd of people….another plus for Nature and the environment. Looking forward to next year already. – Michael Marchiano
Before the weekend gets away from us. We wanted to say a big… thank you… for all your amazingly energy and gift of organizing and bringing all of us together. Great to also see several new participants. It was great to see everyone yesterday and share once again… in the Great Beaver Festival! For all you do……….Thank you! – Tom & Darren (Sonoma Birding)
Congratulations on your achievement and a fantastic Beaver Fest. You have made history in Martinez, and the beavers owe you! Lynn Q
It was such a pleasure to be there today…I would like to do something about the watershed district. Next time teaching clean run off stuff… It was fun thanks!! Dorrie Langley (Martinez Arts Association)
And from Erika our stalwart volunteer who was helping make necklaces all day…
One dad told his daughter that the necklace may be a nice thing to give mom for her birthday and the girl looked at him like are you kidding me??? i answered all those questions myself and uh, no i will keep it! He commented how mellow you were and ‘so mellow when had to put up such a big fight.’ made me smile.
That’s me….mellow beaver defender extraordinaire….
