Back to the Beach

 Waxing Crescent Moon

Shark bite update: the 62 year old swimmer who was bitten off the shore of Lovers Point in Pacific Grove last week is alive and is expected to recover eventually. He required 200 stitches and missed a severed artery by 2 millimeters, but in time he should be okay.

Yesterday I wandered over to Moss Landing and made two stops to hike in the sand and see what I could see at Moss Landing State Beach and Salinas River State Beach. By the time I got there in the early afternoon, the wind had picked up and I actually had to bring a jacket even though it was sunny and warm on the leeward side of the dunes. Near the harbor, casual seals and seabirds were taking it easy, bruh.

Windward it was nippy and choppy and the birds were a little nervous, edging their way toward the jetty.

After a shivering walk I decided to move to the beach just south of Moss Landing where I could hike the trail behind the dunes. I traded the blowing wind for deep sand for a little while, then I crossed the dunes and headed back toward the car. I used a different set of hip and leg muscles on the dune stretch, which I would pay for with newfound soreness later in the day. No matter, it was a fun and healthy workout. 

Salinas River State Beach is frequented by horses and their riders, but my timing was perfect. I was just getting back to the parking lot as several riders were about to depart their trailers for the beach. I don't have anything against equestrians or their mounts (quite the opposite, I have always found them to be friendly and responsible), but I was glad to have had the shore to myself for a while nonetheless. 

Halfway through the year, I am just a little bit behind my 2,022-mile goal. At 965 miles to date, I should be able to make up the missing mileage in the next two longer months. The June heat wave slowed me down four days in a row. Ugh, I can't take hot days any more!

Peace, Love, and Be Cool, Stay in School,

Jim

#2,022 in 2022