I did it – I went back to the beach all on my own, only about three weeks after that last trip. Because I didn’t arrive until the afternoon, and I could only afford to spend a couple of hours at the most, I thought that time pressure would make the minutes fly.
But somehow, the opposite happened. Time swelled to be as big as the ocean; it was as vague and undefined as the fog. I walked and walked, lost in it, and when I checked my phone, I couldn’t believe how little of my allotment I had used. So I walked some more….
Believe it or not, I have the plant above, with the whitish leaves, in my garden. I bought it a the native plant nursery years ago, and knew it was a beach plant, but I’d never seen it before in its natural habitat. I recognized it immediately. I won’t worry about my plant anymore. It looks more spindly than these but otherwise … yeah. And I don’t know its name.
The sun never came out, but the air was pleasant. I wore a thin linen shirt, and carried my Teva sandals so that my feet could get the full sand experience. A girl spun cartwheels in the fringes of the incoming waves. Fathers with their children dug holes to catch the water. Bodies huddled like seals in driftwood teepees.
On my favorite shortcut road home I stopped many times to take pictures, and wished I could take scents. The masses of eucalyptus trunks and leaves exuded their distinctive aroma, which mixed with that of the cypress trees and the drying grass. Probably the coyote brush contributed to the heady perfume that was part of the afternoon’s fog on that particular hill.
My app said that the little tree below was in the rose family. It had fruit looking like cherries, but didn’t resemble a cherry plum tree. I guessed it was a volunteer/escapee from an old farm nearby.
From the top of the hill I could look back and see just a bit of the bay and the hill above, through the fog and mist — and the barbed wire.
A wind came up and whished the slender eucalyptus leaves into a loud whisper, and they were still telling their secrets when I had to drive away. So I must go back soon for the rest of the story, right?
Gladsome Lights 
Your descriptive skills are beautiful! I loved being part of this experience through the writing and photos. What a wonderful, empty beach!
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Oh my, what a lovely time you had on the beach and on your drive home. Thanks for sharing, I enjoyed it all. Love, hugs and prayers ~ FlowerLady
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A selection of beautiful scenes and bravo to you for venturing to the beach on your own!
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I think it wasn’t the venturing itself that was difficult, Anne, but just thinking it important enough to take the time and effort for. Just getting in the car to go walking elsewhere often feels silly, when I have paths close by that are “good enough” for getting some exercise.
In theory, I would never exhaust the possibilities of enjoyment in those nearby paths, not to mention my garden, but I can’t live according to theories, and I’m trying to stay out of ruts… Thank you for your encouragement!
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Oh, so beautiful! I love scenes like this. What a pretty and interesting road you drive on your beach trips. (Fellow beach lover here, as I think you know.) And, yes, definitely go back for the rest of the story!
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Your walk sounds heavenly. It looks like we’ve been looking at the same kinds of things in different places these days!
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Such a lovely experience, from the sights and smells, to the very interesting plant species. Love this post very much. Thank you!
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Gorgeous fog! Love these peaceful scenes.
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Oh how wonderful! I am going to Washington and the beach soon. I can’t wait to ride the ferry and look at my beloved island views. I loved your beach walk. I love it, too, when time goes slow.
That is so good for your body to ground yourself on the sand. SO fun!
Sending heaps of love, dear GJ!
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Enjoyed the outing! Let’s do it again.
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(well I’m going to do it myself often. I mean, those trees, that field, more trees and fields, and the flowers, fog, sand…. almost better than being there, because now I can be there a lot)
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A few precious hours to walk and explore that wonderful beach and the woodsy area must have been so refreshing. If I had somewhere like that to go walking I would hopefully go often. All the shrubs and flowers are strange to me except for the thistle. Thistles are so lovely I’d grow them in my garden if they weren’t so invasive.
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Awww, I loved this post. I felt I’d taken a little holiday with you as I read your lovely words about your visit to the seaside. Enjoyed your photos too!
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Oh, how much I miss this coast! I think I say that every time you post about a visit, but it remains true every time. 😉
I recognize so much, and the smell of eucalyptus is heavy in my mind now. Growing up I used to not like the scent so much, but now it’s a wonderful reminder of my homeplace.
Thanks so much for sharing the lovely photos!
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I wish you could send along scents too, such eye beauty. But I do recognize some of the plants we have here too…in the wild.
I do hope you are doing well.🙂
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gah! so beautiful!!!!!! and that thistle. so vibrant. glad you made it!
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Reading this makes me miss my time in San Francisco, specifically in Golden Gate park, where the eucalyptus also grows.
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