Walk on the beach.....

“Just got home from a couple days on the beach, North of LaPush in the Oly N.P. Family weekend plans fell thru and my friend Merlyn was already headed out there to do some beach time, so I quick-packed and sprinted for trailhead. Sunshine until I reached the coast, then foggy, drizzly, and foggy. Cool and gray for a couple of days, easy walking due to very small high tides, didn’t need to worry much about having headlands blocked by high tides. Could pretty much walk whenever I wanted or needed to.

Headlands, rocks, and tide pools were cranked up with summertime life. Made for some slick walking, but lots of interesting intertidal stuff to see. Beach was typical summer beach. Shortage of high tides and storms left beaches covered with seaweed, which decays where it sits. that brews up some interesting aromas. Saw some carcasses as well - a seal, a couple of rays, and quite a few dead birds, seagulls mostly but one dead eagle. Every now and then the beach had some rank smell to walk thru, what fun.....

Caught up with Merlyn, flew my tarp (didn‘t take a tent, no need for one in the summer), and settled in. Ocean was in a somber mood, not much wind, little surf, and the world was all shades of gray. Visibility ranged from 50 feet to maybe ¼ mile for the first day, no sunset, no stars.

Dayhiked a ways farther, the second day. Discovered that a Boy Scout from Mercer Island made some repairs and maintenace to the lookout shack, for an Eagle project. The shack was originally built in 1942 as part of the coast watch system during WWII. it had been in quite sorry shape. In addition to repairs, there was a book (laminated, 9 pages or so) of information the scout had assembled as part of his research into the shack. Great read, photos included as well, the kid did a real nice job. If you’re ever on that stretch of the coast, you have to find the shack and read the story.

Bided time in the fog, hoping for that magic moment when the ocean might change her somber mood. It happened yesterday afternoon around 2. The sun burned the fog away, it was instantly sunny and warm. Beach fire, splashing in the ocean, sunset, and finally a glorious starry night were the rewards for being patient. Toss in seemingly endless clouds of birds, lots of seals, four or five sets of fawns, raccoons, otters, and various chipmunks and squirrels, it added up to lots of critters. Woke up this morning, opened my eyes, and a weasel was giving me the evil eye. We were nose to nose, about ten inches apart. I said “Boo!” and poof he was gone. Nice wake up, even though we awoke to a penalty.

The penalty for Sunday nights' sunset sunset was Monday morning rain. Walked out in drizzle separated by bouts of rain. Oh well, at least it wasn’t too cold, didn't even need the raingear. pretty refreshing walk, in fact.

Quite a few people out there, but not as crowded as I expected for the last holiday weekend of summer. Neighbors were all pretty cool. On the way home, came upon a nasty accident on 101 in the twisty bits along Lake Crescent. A head-on that looked like it collected a couple more cars in the bargain. Donno how serious the injuries were, but fortunately the cops were already there so I didn’t have to stop. Not a fun day for someone.

My first summertime beach trip in years. It was OK, but winter is where it’s at! Going back in November, and December, and January, and February....”

“Cool, I just got back from the Beach too. We went to Gulf Shores, Alabama.”

“People are one of the reasons I went in winter. Didn't see a soul.”

“Cool. I never realized that you can go beach backpacking. (Cut me slack, I'm land locked.) I've never really cared too much for the ocean the times I've seen it, but beach backpacking sounds cool. Very good description in your trip report too, thanks Strider.”

“Great trip report Strider, Thanks for sharing it with us!”