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Borrego Springs, CA

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Finally made it to the beach

I had a split day of work today to make things a little more interesting.  I was scheduled to work the Gateway VC for the morning.

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The first order of business was driving the five miles to the maintenance area to drop off my car and pick up a refuge vehicle.  The radio tower next to the parking area was just covered with purple martins.  It’s a sure sign of fall approaching when all the martins and swallows begin to flock up.  It won’t be long before they all leave on their migration south for the winter.

Shortly after noon, I finished up at Gateway and headed for Pea Island.  This afternoon would be the last Sound Side Presentation of the season.  Just about all of the programs and tours finished up this week since kids will be heading back to school if they haven’t already.

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I got to the Pea Island VC a little early so I decided to try climbing up and over the sand dunes to get to the beach.  This is the first I’ve felt able to tackle the dunes since I got here.  You can bet I took my cane, and began the trudge uphill.

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Here was my reward as I crested the dune.  A beautiful sand beach on the Atlantic with hardly anyone around.  This is a far cry from the crowds that pack the National Seashore and the beaches surrounding the towns on the Outer Banks.

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                   I wasn’t alone though.  This gull was standing guard on a slight rise in the sand.

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A little closer to the water, several willets were searching for food.  It was sure a lot easier to walk down by the wet hard packed sand.

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I was hoping to find some nice shells as I made my way.  It was just about low tide, but there sure weren’t any shells worth collecting today.

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I spent about an hour walking along the shore and enjoying the birds and sounds of the crashing waves.  I do appreciate the relaxing sounds of the surf.  After being here for six weeks already, it’s about time I finally made it to the beach.  For sure I’ll be going again.

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All too soon it was time to bid goodbye to the waves and the sunken vessel the Orient.  It’s smoke stack is still visible at the top middle of the photo even though this ship sank during the Civil War.  This area along the Outer Banks is known as the Graveyard of the Atlantic because of all the ships that have met their end in these treacherous waters.

It turned out that no kids showed up for the Sound Side Presentation, so we got to go home a little early.  My guess is that just about everyone was out on the beaches on this beautiful end of summer day.  I’m getting pretty excited about my excursion tomorrow morning to feed the wolves.  I sure hope it lives up to my expectations.

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy

18 comments:

  1. I have still yet see see a Purple Martin and they are supposedly quite abundant here.
    I'm jealous of your day at the beach, it's one of my most favorite places to be.
    I will anxiously await to hear how feeding the wolves go. I have seen wolves in the wild and they are quite beautiful animals.

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  2. Judy... I've been reading your blogs on my phone and it's just too complicated to comment from it... I sure hope all goes well with your decision making; surgery and after care with your hip! One thing I haven't noticed anyone mentioning though is the steps in an RV. How easy will it be for you to maneuver the steps in your motorhome if you would choose to go to the CARE facility or to stay in the MH in any location? I realize they're going to be getting you up and about very soon for recuperation, but I sure wonder about the steps because they are not ordinary stairs size. Yet another thing to put in the thinking box!

    I've been loving the bear photos! As usual just about anything you take a photo of is spectacular! I've been beachcombing the Strait of Juan de Fuca the last few days myself. Found a few sea stars and bits of things that intrigue me so far. We are up here for 2 weeks!

    Have fun at your beach!!!

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  3. I have always loved those "beaches less traveled". So glad you were able to enjoy.

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  4. love this! and amazing pictures... I could watch birds all day long... they kill me.

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  5. oh, and yes... the same with me. I read your blog from my phone and wait until I get to my laptop to comment... it's soooo tedious

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  6. Looks like your trip to the beach was worth the wait...and you had good weather, to boot! ;)

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  7. Love those Atlantic beaches and especially a deserted one. All too rare. Lucky you to have been able to enjoy it. And lucky me to see your great pictures. Thanks!

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  8. Just amazing how a difference a few days makes. We enjoy the sound of the waves just splashing against the beach. So peaceful.

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  9. Glad you made it to the beach. The kids in Texas started school on Monday but maybe they don't start that early where you are.

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  10. looks like it was a lovely day for a walk along the shore!!!

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  11. Glad you got to take a stroll on the beach, hope it refreshed your soul. :c)

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  12. Yeah, but where are the bears? :D Nice shots.

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  13. One of the things we loved about our spring visit to the OBX last year was the mostly-deserted beaches ... wonderful to walk them when you don't have to dodge the hoards.

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  14. I love the Purple Martins. I'm glad your hip allowed to to walk on the beach.

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  15. Great photos as always. Enjoyed the walk on the beach with you and your pictures.

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  16. It's amazing that the sunken vessel is still visible. I would have thought with all the storms, hurricanes etc over the years it would have been washed away and destroyed decades ago.

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  17. I give you so much credit for all the volunteering you have in you...would love to read a post on why you do that...I just don't think I would have it in me...seems like a full time job ..

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  18. Love having the beach all to myself. Fascinating that you can see the Orient.

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