June 2, 2003
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Props to boingboing for the link:
“Welcome to the website of the California Coastal Records Project. Our goal is to create an aerial photographic survey of the California Coast and update it on a periodic basis.”
They’re taking the pictures so they’ll have historical documentation of the coastal environment. They’re in hot water with Barbara Streisand, however, because one of the pictures is of her seaside mansion.
So I started looking for places I’ve been, along the California coast.
In this picture, the road (in the shadow of the hill) is the 101. There’s a pull-out to go to that beach, and to walk up the trail on the point. The image was taken at high-tide, apparently.
It’s the first place I ever touched the Pacific ocean. I remember a lovely setting sun, a chill in the air even though it was summer. I took off my shoes and waded into the surf, cupped my hands, and took a sip of ocean.
On another trip, I got there to find a sick sea lion, being guarded by some local folks who had called the rescue team. I remember being impressed that there was a rescue team, and that people would care enough to sit there in the dusk waiting for them to arrive.
Here’s a picture of the town of Trinidad, which is one of the most beautiful towns ever to exist. None of the pictures of it do it justice. This one is from the south, instead of the west. Neither pic really shows the giant hunk of rock sticking out of the ocean that makes the bay (and the bay makes the town, historically speaking).
When I was there, it was summer, and the water was clear and green. There were a half-dozen or so yachts moored in the harbor. I parked my car at the little white building you can see in that second linked picture, about a quarter of the way from the right. The one at the T-intersection, from which you might be able to walk down a path to the beach.
The whole scenario was like being inside one of the Myst games. Treacherous coastline, protected cove, clear water, looming mountains. Etc.
I sat on a piece of driftwood and drank my orange juice. Watched the pelicans and gulls. Should have stripped naked and gone for a swim.
Comments (2)
Looks like a fantastic place to first touch the ocean.
I have been out west only once, and I remember my first drive up the 101–my best childhood friend driving like a speed demon and pointing at the ocean, at the mountains, “Look at this! Look at that!” And me, clinging to my seat for dear life and yelling “Look at the road!!!!”
You should have gone for the swim.
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