that never quite happened.
After the earthquake cleanup, the continuous aftershocks, the sleepless nights, Jake and I craved an inspiring spirit-reviving energizing day at the beach.
We did. We truly did. We needed it.
So we packed up and headed off. But it was one of those everything goes wrong days.
(Well, the traffic was lighter than usual and that was nice.)
When we arrived and hiked in from the car things felt off. The weather was weird, neither cloudy nor foggy nor sunny. The sea and the sky were sort of colorless. They looked much the same.
The air wasn’t hot but it wasn’t cold. It wasn’t crisp. It didn’t contain that damp, fecund, invigorating, briny ocean smell. It was sort of… rotten. Smelled like rotting flesh. Not fish, flesh.
I looked down at my feet. I usually wear hiking boots but I’d decided to wear flip flops this time around. I’d planned on wading in the ocean. Of all the days. From one end of the beach to the other, the sand was blanketed with these:
They aren’t deadly poisonous but they do have stingers and I didn’t want to get stung and I certainly didn’t want Jake stung. To make matters worse, a couple of guys were fishing with bait that was so putrid it attracted every yellow jacket in the county. For the first time in my experience, between the dying Velella velella and the putrid bait (mostly the bait), the beach swarmed with yellow jackets. And I’d left my epipen at home.
It sucked. Just sucked. Jake and I hung out up high for a little while then headed home. I think I’ll wait a few weeks before I return. Maybe a storm surge will come in and cleanse the sand. And get rid of the people.
*SIGH*
What a big bummer for both you and Jake.
I hope your next trip to the beach is marvelous and feeds your soul.
Till then find a nice video of a ‘walk on the beach’ on you tube. Watch it, listen to it and day dream. Two weeks will be here faster than a speeding bullet.
I have never seen so many jellies beached like that. I have been places there were a lot but never like that. Bummer.
What a disappointment, but better for you and Jake to wait.
I had no idea that jellies came inland. Wow! Sorry to hear about your unpleasant outing. Sometimes it goes like that. Reminds me of the cruise we went on this past spring around South America. We had booked a trip to see the penguins, and wouldn’t you know it, we couldn’t land because of a union strike at the dock. I love penguins and was so looking forward to that date with nature. As I’m sure you were. There’s nothing more uplifting than taking in this magnificent world, its creatures and plants, in a place that hasn’t been messed with. Next time, hopefully, you’ll be rewarded with a soothing time by the water.
Wow, that is an invasion, we are having a jelly fish problem on Dublin’s east coast, they are vicious stingers and swimmers are constantly being warned but it is nothing compared to your beach.
I’ve been out snorkeling, Ben, and found myself surrounded by swarms of jelly fish. Once in the Red Sea. Scary. I had to go so slow! These Velella velella are unusual around here. They show up on occasion but this many are rare.
It’s not that they come inland, Diana. I think a storm surge dumped them on the beach. They float around in huge carpets. Isn’t that always the case? You make plans and then someone decides to go on strike. I too love penguins. I want to hug a penguin.
Yes, Steph - for sure we’ll wait! I do hope the next storm washes the beach.
I know it was a large storm surge that brought them ashore, Steph. We’ve had some mighty waves of late.
T’was a bummer, Roberta! But fall and winter are the best beach seasons, at least for me. I can be patient!
I agree with Jake…that does suck.
But your intentions were good. Does that count with dogs???
Yes, Marylin, my intentions were good, but it’s a dog’s life…
Well…yucky! Oooooh, yuck. Double yuck. Yeah, wait for a better day.
Yes I will, Anny.