Beach

Lots of First at the Pacific Ocean

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I’m amazed at how much I find water fascinating and yet I am terrified of it and everything in it. My imagination runs wild with all kinds of things that I could step on, kick, encounter etc.  I have been embracing the thalassophobia and enjoying the views and smells instead. 

The Pacific Ocean, at least, for where we were, is quite chilly. Bring a sweater! But it was very cool as I was able to cross several things off the list of new experiences today.

Drove a vehicle on the Beach – Okay – so technically I didn’t drive it. Amaia and Don did. But, I was there! I’ve only ever seen this happen in movies. I’m expanding my horizons damnit! Its amazing what you think only happens in movies and to others is just normal everyday living.

Seen a living Sand dollar – Amaia had been searching for a sand dollar that wasn’t broken. The beach was full of decimated crab and sand dollar. She had found this one and when she was showing me it kept glistening oddly. I realized it was alive and that its little feet/feelers were moving. Never thought I’d ever see a living sand dollar, and while it wasn’t on the intentional list, I will absolutely take this as a win.  The sand dollar was not harmed and they were placed back in the water where she had found it.

  • Seen ‘Wild’ Crab (Albeit dead, they were still from the wilds of the ocean, lol )- This was pretty wild. The size of crab were crazy and they were all over the place. My husband is no small man and this crab looks huge even in his hands.
  • Seen Horse Back Riders on the Beach – I’ve had a dream of riding a horse on the beach for years. It seems like this is now something that is possible, though, not sure I’d want to do a “Group” ride.  I have some weight to lose first, regardless, as I cant see putting my hefty self on some poor horses back. Gallop down the beach and maybe kick up some water! Horse back riding in general just sounds amazing. For me, Not sure about the horse. I can’t imagine they enjoy being a vehicle for humans.

Made a drift wood sand turtle – When I was a kid we made a snow turtle in our back yard. We dug out the shapes on the back and everything. Somewhere – there is a picture of it. I’m just not sure where. I’ve seen others make driftwood art and thought it would be neat to do something with the many pieces of driftwood we found on the beach. I am not in the best shape. (round is a shape, I know) so I petered out a bit but, we gave it a shot!

A couple extra pictures because they are amazing. Especially the one where Amaia and Don are jumping and splashing in the puddles.

Videos

Whale Watching and so much more!

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For my Partners birthday we took advantage of having friends staying with us and spent a weekend in California. It was a fantastic weekend and so many firsts! It was great being able to experience all of this with him.

I’ve always thought whale watching was 5,000% out of my league. I’d never have a chance at seeing a whale. I grew up in the center of the North American continent. When I don’t think I’d see the ocean, the idea of ever being able to see a whale was laughable. 

My first chance at seeing a whale was part of Don’s birthday weekend.

I did not get a picture of every first but there are quite a few that I remember well enough. 

  • Visiting California – As much as I wanted to get it, I didn’t. The “Welcome to California” Sign. I think I got wrapped up over a view or something else. I honestly can’t remember. But, I’m sure it was like all the other “Welcome to [Insert State Here]” Signs.
  • Tried Swordfish – Couldn’t have been that amazing – because I barely remember this! Okay, actually I don’t remember it at all but it was on my list of firsts that I wrote down during this entire vacation. So – clearly I tried it. But…. eh….
  • Seeing the Pacific Ocean – I seen the Gulf of Mexico, and it was beautiful. This was beautiful. The time between seeing the two was so long that I wouldn’t be able to compare them at all. But, its the ocean. Its beautiful and disgusting and serene and scary all at once. It’s intimidating. This time, I didn’t go in the ocean. This time, I stepped in the ‘residue’ as the waves pulled back from the sand. I know its not a rational fear, but I didn’t reason my way into being afraid of the ocean, it’s challenging to try and reason my way out.
  • Going Whale Watching (No Whales) – Well this was an adventure. LOL .  Mainly because there were a lot of bumps and while the boat felt sturdy, I have know delusions about the power of the Ocean, its depths and how small a boat we were in. My husband said “We’re not far from shore, you can see it!” to which I replied “yeah, were not far when you are in a boat, Its a lot farther when you are swimming!” and then I promptly turned green.
  •  Seeing wild dolphins (large pod) – Seeing the pod of dolphins was fantastic. You could see them splash and hear them. They would dive under the boat and come up on the other side like a game. I could almost hear the adventure music that seemed fitting for their play time. This was also a really nice distraction from the Whale Watching ride.  I also seen a couple dolphins swim into the small canal by the hotel. We were right on the water and I had walked down to just watch the ocean and there were a couple zipping back and forth.
  • Seeing wild Seals/Sea lion – Bring a nose plug. These guys are STINKY! ☺ But highly entertaining, when they decide to move around. We were able to see these guys all over the place at Oceanside. We seen a few just outside the hotel, down the coast, while we were whale watching, at the walkway and all over. The walkway was the easiest to see them and if you ever get a chance, I highly encourage you to stay and watch. They have personality. They are goofy. They are little shits too! No – not because they shit – really, they are just dicks to each other! Pushing each other off the float, blocking them from coming back up out of the water, flopping down on each other.
  • Seeing Someone in a wet suit & Someone surfing – Yeah – Because – how the heck do you surf on a lake? And I have no idea why seeing someone in a wet suit is on this list. Its new, Just be glad I’m not blogging a new thing for every time I blow my nose… Each one of those kleenex tissues is “new” ya know! You could be reading about the journey of every sneeze into a “NEW” tissue!
  • Seeing someone paddle board – Well, Its not like I ever expected anyone to paddle board in the great lakes back in Wisconsin! Remember – I never thought I’d leave that place. And then when I finally get to – I move where water barely exists. If I had to pick a paddle boarder to see for the first time again, I’d choose this guy! This guy has the best life with his puppers and how brave he is to paddle board with fish bait to all the creatures that are just under foot.  Those cute puppers were spry too. moving about and then jumping off the paddle board. Cute as heck!
  • Seeing Beach ‘Coast Guard’ buildings – Why is this on my bucket list? Why is this even on my radar for a new experience? …………… T V …………… That’s why! I didn’t grow up where these existed. It was on Bay Watch. It was neat! I’ve never seen a beach with a building on it. I’ve never seen a beach with a life guard. I grew up in a place where the state says here is a lake – swim at your own risk – we don’t have you covered!  – If you are taking me serious right now – you really shouldn’t. Have you learned nothing yet while reading these blogs?  – But for real – the reason is Bay Watch and I lead a land locked life. 
  • OH!  There was a Coast Guard truck too! I didn’t get a picture because it was on our way out, BUT….. It was on the beach… Just like Bay Watch!  I always thought it was made up yuppy fantasy stuff. Like – I wish I had enough money to spend on unnecessary things. I think I’m talking too much now because my whole point of why this was so neat to me is just making me sound really weird. Just … go to the next neat new thing for me! I’m sure there’s plenty more!

Videos

See the Ocean

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 I have always been fascinated by water. How the light reflects off of it, catching the sun, or our reflections. The ripples, waves, splashes and spurts of water. 

I can remember moments as a kid at the public swimming pool and lowering my head so I’m more level with the water. I’d sit and watch the sun glint off the water and how the water reflected itself against the walls of the pool building. I even remember just listening to the sounds underwater and how they would change. 

I think my interest in water ultimately lead to my fear of it as well. I’ve seen so many strange things come from the ocean. I like my documentaries. 

This one was ticked off with a few different items related to a flying for the first time and a birthday present from my mom and my boyfriend.  (I really couldn’t ask for a better husband!)

I remember my impression from seeing the ocean for the first time. Wow! And this covers a huge part of earth. Stretches out to different continents. People get lost out there. There’s no seeing land out in that distance. 

I also remember being in awe at the color of the water. Water in Wisconsin is brown. Like making tea with all of your tree leaves. Its the tannic acid in the tree leaves that give the lakes their merky brown. 

Shortly after getting in the ocean I remember seeing a school of trigger fish. Barely afraid of me. Swimming curiously around my arm and playing with the hair that floated with the waves. 

This was all at Caladesi Island in Florida. Our hosts, Uncle Scott and Leoma. It was an amazing visit, and I was able to check a few ‘firsts’ off this bucket list of mine. Some of my favorite memories are with these two!

One of my poor attempts at a sand castle as well. Making an epic sandcastle is on my list, but this certainly was not it. I recall Don saying it looked like a cake. Now all I can see is a carrot cate with cream cheese frosting and those little waxy chocolate shell molds. I will get a chance again. 

And here I go, rambling – 

So for the entertainment. This little shit right here.. Just below this text. These little assholes .. When someone tells you not to feed them. LISTHEN TO THEM. My cousin Ryan went down to Florida with us and he was kind enough to feed these starving sky rats. (Its not all bad – I love rats! ) They all came chasing me for more. That  – at the time wasn’t super funny – but really  – it was!