Deep Roar of the Ocean

"The deep roar of the ocean. The break of waves on farther shores that thought can find.  The silent thunders of the deep." 
-Doug Adams, The Ultimate Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy

Not sure why, but this just grabbed my attention this morning while scrolling through Facebook.  The silly thing is, it was on a Coastal Living Magazine "View of the Day" post, and it was showing a peaceful, sunny setting on Bainbridge Island facing the Puget Sound with Mount Rainier in the background.  The quote and the picture didn't really seem to match?

Here's what I think of when I think of the "deep roar of the ocean"

The stormy days spent walking the beach are my best.  Usually there's no one else on the beach but me, I can happily let the wind whip my skin, and fill my pockets with sea treasures.  Breathe.

The sound of the waves just seem to reach into every part of me, and all of my disjointed thoughts and feelings wash right back out to sea.  

Am definitely re-reading the Ultimate Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy.... I must have missed something the first time around.  Have a great Wednesday.

P.S.  Yes, the pictures are all mine. And - there isn't any photo shop touches, simply what showed up on my camera.

Poplar Beach/Bluff Top Coastal Park

Last spring on one my first adventures by myself in the Bay Area, I discovered Poplar Beach, a jewel of a city park in Half Moon Bay. This has now become a favorite escape to the beach for me. Lots of FREE parking and during the week, it's easy to find a parking space, although on the weekends it is a bit more difficult - especially during the summer months.

I love going here to just sit and enjoy the roar of the surf, the seabirds playing in the wind, pelicans diving in and out of the Pacific - doesn't matter to me if the sun shines or not. Lucky for me that there is a path that runs all along the bluff with benches scattered along the trail. On weekends you might not get lucky enough to find an empty bench, but this past Tuesday with high surf and roaring wind it was no challenge.

For me, there is something about a day on the coast that is NOT sunny, it is infinitely more interesting. This was one of those days, pounding seas, roaring up the beach, tangling up kelp and tumbling shells and sea glass with almost a violent power. I wanted to laugh out loud with pure joy!

If pelicans and seagulls could talk, I really do believe that they would exclaim their joy, as these must be favorite "play days" for them too.

Days like this are not great shell collecting days, as it could be very dangerous to turn your back on the surf. For me, this is so difficult as I always want to stuff shells, tumbled beach glass and bits of flotsam in my pockets! Still managed to come home with just a small handful; am always fascinated by the different kinds of shells that I find in California. Look at how the sand and the power of the water have flattened out this oyster shell so that all that is left is the smooth gorgeous mother-of-pearl color, almost transparent in its' delicacy.

Finally had to find the cliff trail back up to the top of the bluff, as my poor ears were freezing cold, and my fingers were like ice..

Winter Beaches

Sorting through some photography that I took earlier this fall, and thought you might enjoy some late fall images from the shore in Pacifica, California.  It was soooo cold on that November day, but still so beautiful.

Truly, I believe that sometimes a winter beach, or a winter coastal storm can have its own wild, untamed beauty.... the gray desolation, heavy pounding seas, sea birds playing in the wind..

I hope that what ever beach you can visit this winter, you have to chance to simply stop and breathe. Please  don't forget to bring 2 bags with you; 1 for beach treasures, and 1 to fill up with discarded harmful plastic!

Walking on the beach for me is always a zen-like experience, and so important to help focus me for the next big thing.  When you are out for your winter beach break, think about  all of the great things that this next year will bring, and let the sea breezes carry off the old from 2009.

Bundle up, let the wind caress your face, take the time to really listen to the crashing waves, then race back to the house for hot chocolate!