the drive along the coast was full of foggy teases of glimpses and smells of the ocean, but it wasn't until we pulled into the campground on the beach at kalaloch in the far southwest corner of the park that we actually got to the ocean. the forest runs right up to the beach, and the beach is long and deep and smooth and made of dark volcanic sand. we got right down to the business of beach combing in the chilly afternoon fog, and had the place to ourselves.
the treasures were abundant, but don't worry: we disturbed nothing, and took nothing home.
we headed back to our campsite to warm up, dry off, set up camp, make some food, do some drawing and recording in our trip journals, and climbed on some ropes and sticks. i cannot tell you how entertaining those ropes and sticks were for james.
also, importanly, i finally managed to get in a shampoo with a crititcal assist. remember those 5 sutures in my finger? hairwashing was basically impossible with a hand dressing, and then add in the utter lack of showers or bathing facilities, and suddenly you've got david washing my hair at the dish washing spigot while the kids take pictures. ah, camping.
the fog cooked off later, and we went back to the beach for a sunnier stroll in the other direction. as the fog lifted, i was disappointed to discover that none of the famous rock stacks along the shore were visible from where we were on beach 3. i guess all the dramatic rock formations are up near rialto beach and the mouth of the puget sound. next time, guys. next time....
and then, later, david and i got to sneak down to the beach for our own private viewing of the sunset. the kids were tired and didn't want to join, and we were fine with that.
No comments:
Post a Comment