Since we don't have kids I get to power on as though summer isn't over, after all if you're judging by the weather (or the calendar) summer has another month to go. Last weekend did however find us at the beach (Newport, OR, to be exact) and I thought it fitting to share my morning, as beautiful as it was. Here is where the kids should be playing, a swing set and a boat, how cool is that?
My generation would be reenacting Gilligan's Island (it was syndicated all through the 70's and into the 80's...it was what we watched every day when we got home from school), I wonder what current generations would do?
This was an interesting discovery. Picnic table, BBQ and a framed view of the ocean...
While dinner is tended to one can contemplate...
The low green is horsetail.
I love it.
I also love the blooming thistle.
Off in the distance is the Yaquina Head Lighthouse.
Our beach weekend was based on crashing at a timeshare Andrew's aunt and uncle had booked for the week. It was a pretty ideal location, however there was a steep drop-off to the beach - but if you knew the path you could easily get down to sea level...
And here I am!
I don't think this was naturally occurring. It looks constructed.
Here I go again...I shared similar images of sea life washed ashore in last year's beach post. I find beach "litter" so amazing, I have to photograph it, fast forward on if you aren't interested.
Jellyfish, I really wanted to touch it, but I knew better.
The structure on the right was very interesting.
I wanted to pick it up and take it with me, but also recognized it might have some value to other life forms. I let it be.
There was still life inside that shell...
And those little shells were opening and closing, opening and closing. It was pretty amazing to watch.
Kind of disturbing but also terribly interesting, this little shellfish was being eaten by countless little creatures, I'm kind of bummed that none of them show up in this photo.
How many crabs are there in the ocean? If one was to guess based on the body parts visible on the beach on any given day then I would say hundreds of trillions.
This just might be my favorite "seaweed" of the day.
There's been a serious washout. Makes me wonder...
As does this. Who needs that much structure to get to the beach and how often do they have to rebuild?
Always, there are always the rock stackers.
This is where things get spooky. Imagine a grey sky and a little moody fog. Look at those long arms reaching out to grab YOU!
And that monster with the long arms...he sees those people in the distance and wants them!
Our day at the beach was splendid, a two-thirds point in the best of what summer has to offer. September, I expect more of the same...
All material © 2009-2014 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.
Thanks for sharing your wonderful beach photos. I am fascinated by beach litter as well, so fast-forwarding required. I would have been very tempted to take some of it home with me.
ReplyDeleteI brought home a couple of small shells and an interestingly shaped rock fragment. Not having a bag helped me to not collect too much.
DeleteWhere were all the humans? I like the flotsam. We thought about going to the beach also this weekend, but knew there would be no parking, a gazillion smokers, boom boxes, aggressive Dish Network salespeople, etc. I like your beach better.
ReplyDeleteThere were 3 or 4 small groups but I managed to not get any of them in the photos, well except for the one where the couple was being trailed by the stick man. We were outside any of the small towns that dot the coastline and not near beach access with parking, I think both of those cut down on the crowds. It was an amazing day without the wind so often felt at the Oregon coast, I'm sure the more popular areas were quite busy - although still nothing like what you describe.
DeleteThat was an interesting beach stroll. The boat was just abandoned there, mired in the sand? Maybe those tree arms were even more dangerous than you imagined...
ReplyDeleteI'm sure the boat was brought in by the hotel we were staying at specifically as part of the playground for young people. It was quite aways up from the actual beach and would have required tsunami strength waves to have been hurled up that far (and what a chilling thought that is).
Deletethis really makes me want to go to the beach. it's been too long. gorgeous photos.
ReplyDeleteIt was a delightful day, I just wish it wasn't such a hellish drive.
DeleteLike Hoover Boo, I like your almost empty beach, too, as peaceful as most winter beaches I've visited. Washed up stuff is so intriguing. Whole other miniature worlds to explore, Horton Hears a Who style. I enjoyed your beach combing. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed the walk Sandy. I wanted to stay longer but alas we had to get back to Portland.
DeleteWhat a beautiful day! Lovely pictures and great commentary : ) The beaches near Houston (Galveston) have warm brown muddy water and it is still humid there. My sister owns a beach house in Mazanita OR...I need to rent it sometime!
ReplyDeleteYes you do! Can you believe I've never been to Manzanita, I keep telling Andrew we need to, maybe this winter.
DeleteAfter this lovely tour, I'm almost as refreshed as if I'd gone to the beach myself. Looks like you had perfect weather for your weekend. I feel a bit bad for all the people (like Hoover Boo) who don't have our quiet, lovely Oregon beaches to enjoy in summer - and year-round.
ReplyDeleteThe weather was amazing Jane, just wonderful. We're lucky.
DeleteOK, count me in! We didn't make it to the beach this Labor Day weekend, but it's one of my favorite summertime activities!
ReplyDeleteEveryone needs a little sand between their toes and ocean breezes at least once a summer.
DeleteI love the Oregon Coast. It's been way too long since we've been there. Maybe next year!
ReplyDeleteYes next year - either on your way up to plant shopping in Portland or on your way home.
DeleteIt looks like you had the place all to yourselves, how wonderful! It's so calming just looking at your photos, even more so that there wasn't a single soul gracing the photos, just pure beach bliss.
ReplyDeleteWe almost did and you're right, it was pure beach bliss. Even warm which can be a hit or miss thing for the Oregon coast.
DeleteLabor Day is one of my least favorite holidays, but only because back-to-school tomorrow was burned into by brain, and even after nearly 40 years since it meant anything, it still brings up the same feelings. Your beach is lovely. I am hoping to get to ours again in the next few weeks. Even though we appreciate what tourism does for our economy, the beaches seem like ours again after Labor Day.
ReplyDeleteYou must have really hated school Les! Hope you make it back to your beach soon.
DeleteI have fond memories of walking along the beach at my grandparents' timeshare house with mum when I was younger after some stormy nights... all sorts of things would wash up, and you could walk on forever, excited about what you were going to come across next (and returning anything that looked alive into the water, however futile)- sea urchins, starfish, blue bottle jellyfish etc. So I enjoyed your photos very much!
ReplyDeleteWhat fun memories! We're determined to make it out to the beach this winter so maybe I'll have stormy photos to follow up with later.
DeleteI love the beach and found your still life shots really interesting! Looks like you had a great time in this beautiful place. We didn't get to the beach this summer but then as you point out there's still a month left!
ReplyDeleteWhat beach do you aim for?
DeleteI love horsetail too. And also find sea life washed ashore very interesting. Look for interesting things that have been washed ashore is what I usually do when I go to the beach :)
ReplyDeleteBy the way, beautiful landscape!!!!
It's easier to love it when it's not taking over our property though. I've heard stories of people attempting eradication and it sounds horrible.
DeleteBeautiful, all around! I'm not a fan of the rock stackers.
ReplyDelete