June 18, Minus tides again

The next couple of weeks I get a treat of some really low tides. It’s fun to see these minus tides, they make the beach so much bigger and expose the tide pools with their colorful sea life.

Wednesday I stayed close to home and walked out to the beach nearby. There’s a rocky outcropping south near the Hobbit Beach that is only out on these minus tides. I was awarded a huge gathering of star fish!! 

So many of them in all colors. And barnacles the size of my fist and huge mussels that must be hanging here for a long time. I don’t know how to tell the age of a mussel, or a barnacle. The barnacles are so interesting how they grow and attach to the rocks. They look prehistoric, like little rough skinned eggs waiting to hatch some creature out of the hard scales. It’s so hard to describe the way these creatures appear so I have a lot of pictures to share. 

gooseneck barnacles

large barnacle    

mussels

rhodophyta seaweed Red Algae

star fish, anemones and seaweed, oh my!

Thursday was a day to stay home, do laundry and walk the beach of course. I put on my rubber boots, contemplated my rain poncho that I found stored away, opted not to wear it as the sky was looking brighter and the air was calm. I wanted to walk north further up the beach to Big Creek which meant crossing of China Creek and rubber boots are required unless one is okay with getting shoes wet. Well, on Wednesday my shoes got wet and I don’t know when they will dry out.

There wasn’t a breath of wind on the beach. Kind of strange as there is usually a slight breeze. Then it started to rain. Just embrace it. I tell myself,  I’m going to get wet, it’s what is happening to me at this moment. Lean into the discomfort and be a part of it. So I do. Then just as quickly as it began, it stops. The clouds part to let in a few rays of sun and as I turn to walk south I quickly get dry. 

The neighbor told me he was going to try some surf fishing and continued walking south I could see his lone figure out in the waves. I kept my way along the edge of the tide as it was beginning its return, letting the waves guide my path. He was trying for some ocean perch, but they were not to be had. He says that’s why it’s called fishing, and not catching. I stayed to watch to make sure he didn’t get taken out to sea by a sneaker wave and to keep an eye on his bucket and bag. Standing on a sandbar the tide slowly encircling me, it was time to move to higher ground.

happy cat in a hammock

Then I realized it was nearly noon time and I had spent most of the morning walking, thinking, collecting rocks and thoughts. Back at camp and after a light lunch, sunlight was warming my outdoor space and two trees the perfect distance apart, it was finally time to get out the hammock. With a blanket, a good book and a cat, it was just right for a sweet afternoon nap. 

view from Yachats State Park

Dinner in Yachats with fellow volunteers at the Luna Sea Cafe and a short walk to the overlook was a perfect end to a relaxing day. 

Yet there was one more reward in store from that great golden orb in the sky. Before turning in for the night, I looked up to see if the moon was going to peek out through the light clouds and the sky was an amazing color of purply pink. Remember I am farther north than my home in southern Arizona and the sun doesn't set until about 9:30. Just wearing my zoris I hurried to the beach to see the sky lit up in a beautiful sunset. I know there are many pictures of sunsets out there, and with good reason. They are never the same and always bring joy to those who witness their beauty.