TimeOut

cazalea · 2024-10-16T05:18:37Z

Explore tidepools, meet fellow nature lovers, slip on rocks while photographing marine life in this detailed story of an ocean adventure.

Walking While Rocking 'n Rolling

I happened to follow the Metallica post so chose this title for my story. Plenty of "hard rock" this morning, for those of a geological interest, but no "hard rock 'n roll" ... (wait, there is some coming later).

We woke up early today and checked the tide tables, discovering that we were ideally poised to see the lowest tide in a month or so.

The sun was barely up but it was warm enough, and so we headed for the ocean to check out the tidepools and ocean life.

Descending the infamous Ladera Street 100-step stainless steel staircase, we arrived at the water's edge.

That's my old college dorm building visible in the distance, down near the cliffs. Look at all the brilliant green marine vegetation! Sea weed, kelp, grass, etc.

As we reached the rocks, we met a fellow trying to get photos of crabs using his iPhone. It's not that easy, because they run at the impact of your foot on the rocks 6-8 feet away. I managed to capture a few images and chatting with the other guy, learned he was from North Wales, and was happily visiting in San Diego for ComicCon.

But Mr Wales soon left to get back to the convention, for his events starting later this morning.

We kept walking cautiously around the water's edge.

The image below shows a very very old slab of concrete, with the cement between the gravel having been eaten away by the waves; now inhabited by thousands of tiny creatures and plants.

A moody coastline at 6:30 in the am.

About 10 minutes later a few others joined us - a dad with two girls, an optimistic wanna-be surfer, and a lady with generous breakfast supplies in hand (for herself).

I'm afraid there were no useful waves for Mr Surfer.

Apparently not much to eat either, as this sea gull poked around and squawked now and then.

Just a few hours ago the water was about 7 feet higher, and the cliffs were still dripping.

A squadron of pelicans cruised through,

showing off their precision flying skill by soaring inches above the water's surface.

Mrs C. stood near the cliffs while I ventured out in search of interesting photos.

I was not planning an incident, but I slipped ... hit the rocks and rolled. While I was protecting the camera, the barnacles were able to scrape off a bit of my leg. Probably enough to feed "thousands of tiny creatures and plants".

I hope that's not considered "feeding the wildlife" which is illegal in this natural preserve ... so to avoid the game wardens, we made our way back up to the road.

We checked out some of the flora up there, and some of the houses too, but soon I was ready to go back to the car (this is only my second incident in hundreds of walks, if you don't count mosquito bites).

Interesting that the flowers were growing right out of the mature tree trunks!

For our architecture-loving readers, here is a beautiful home looking straight out at the Pacific Ocean.

It last sold about 4 years ago, and at that time looked like this. This modern makeover looks pretty good to me -- keeping the bones intact but adding a deck, new windows and doors, etc.

If you need a surfboard, go to Lord of the Dings surf sale:

To live dangerously, go to the left here around the barrier; or to live like a zillionaire with your own beach resort (circled) including R-R in underground garage, click here for a tour.

For my simple Movie of the ocean look below. Thanks for coming along, and be sure to clean the sand and salt off your shoes.

Cazalea

Walking While Rocking 'n Rolling

Walking While Rocking 'n Rolling

What a fun journey!

Thanks