Visitors 42
Modified 1-May-24
Created 12-Jan-22
30 photos
A subset of my visiting 11 family members explores Pebble Beach on New Year’s Day, on the Pacific coast of San Mateo County. None of our 3 dogs tag along. We arrive during this month’s lowest tide period: the new moon pulls on the oceans in one direction, the midday sun pulls the other way. (This month’s new-moon low is a foot lower than the full-moon low tide, and is close to as low as it gets.) The ocean is farther out than I have ever seen it: black rocks, covered in slippery slime and seaweed, stretch well beyond the usual beach at the pebbles.
I head straight out on to the slippery rocks, balancing carefully. Creatures cling to the wet rocks, briefly exposed to the air. Some of the sea anemones are open, patiently waiting for the restless ocean to return. Others have closed up, their gnarly skin dotted with local pebbles or tiny seashells. Twisted black rocks protrude through pebbles, a dark counterpart to the sandstone tafoni patterns further up shore.
Other visitors are drawn to this rare exposed ocean floor. We few humans are joined by a Snowy Egret. I watch as it searches tiny pools for stranded fish, and rejoice at its success. (See the nearby gallery for more photos of seaweed, egret, and flopping fish.)
Others in our party find their own ways to relax, explore, and enjoy the shoreline. Alone or with close family, at the shoreline with the rhythmic pulse of the gentle waves, in soft sunlight and gentle breeze, we are renewed – a welcome break from our activities and conversations with the larger group. We gradually drift back together, glad to see each other and ready for the next adventure together.
On the way home, we drop by Butano State Park to see the result of the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex Fire. (See the nearby gallery for a few photos.)
