Richard Olmer
Ocean beaches offer wild wonders all year long
Published on Wed, Feb 3, 2010 by Richard OlmerRead More Olmer
New folks come to our church quite often. Many read the Sequim Gazette. They ask me, "Where should I go to see the 'best' scenery that you have to offer?"
In the summer, spring and autumn, it's easy: Drive up to Hurricane Ridge and see the Alps without the long plane ride and without yodelers. You probably will see some deer, maybe some marmots, maybe a mountain goat and maybe a coyote or bear.
In the winter ... and all the rest of the year, there always are the Pacific beaches. The very best of these and the easiest to get to is Rialto Beach.
Rialto Beach has history, eagles, pelicans, Hole-in-the-Wall, wonderful rocks, giant driftwood, tidal pools and seals. It's easy to get to, easy to access the beach, easy to walk on the beach, except at the highest tides, and it is wild and beautiful.
After a trip to Rialto Beach, you never need to go to Oregon.
Wood, waves
and rocks
And, during the winter, you can see, firsthand, the awesome power of nature as huge waves batter the coast. You can watch as logs weighing tons are tossed like pick-up sticks by the raging ocean. And, you can hear the magical sound of stones as they fall down the sloped beach chasing the retreating waves.
Rialto Beach is a relatively easy walk at low tides. The driftwood can make you rethink your concept of driftwood ... from small, smooth pieces that fit in your hand to huge trees torn from river banks that even the biggest bulldozer could not move.
In late summer, the pelicans from California visit. In dead trees beside the surf, you often will see a bald eagle scanning the sea.
You can chose to go past the turn-off to Rialto Beach and Mora Campground and find the trails to Beach 3 (1.4 miles) or Beach 2 (0.7 miles) or go into LaPush Beach 1 (0 miles) ... and walk to the merge of land and sea and look out and see the continental fragments that litter the ocean.
As you can see, at Beach 3 there is no beach on this day, just a pile of giant pick-up sticks that bounce and move as each wave meets the shore. It is an awesome experience. The waves are not so small. The driftwood logs are huge. The whole mass sits there beating like some giant's heart.
Share the magic
On days like this one, the awesome power of nature is the show. During the summer, the tidal pools present a much less intimidating presentation. Sea stars cling to rocks and anemones, small crabs and other creatures sit in shallow pools as the incoming waves bring them nutrients.
It is a magical place to visit at any time. And, I've got to admit, it feels wonderful to share these special places with new friends.
It's kind of a dilemma with me because these special places feed me and energize me. There is a part of me that wants to keep them secret and not share them, but they certainly weren't put here for me alone.
And if someone else can feel like I do in these places - feel as if I am face to face with my Creator - keeping them secret is a terrible waste. I can't imagine that anyone could walk through these places and not be inspired or energized, awed or excited.
Richard Olmer can be reached at columnists@sequimgazette.com.
In the summer, spring and autumn, it's easy: Drive up to Hurricane Ridge and see the Alps without the long plane ride and without yodelers. You probably will see some deer, maybe some marmots, maybe a mountain goat and maybe a coyote or bear.
In the winter ... and all the rest of the year, there always are the Pacific beaches. The very best of these and the easiest to get to is Rialto Beach.
Rialto Beach has history, eagles, pelicans, Hole-in-the-Wall, wonderful rocks, giant driftwood, tidal pools and seals. It's easy to get to, easy to access the beach, easy to walk on the beach, except at the highest tides, and it is wild and beautiful.
After a trip to Rialto Beach, you never need to go to Oregon.
Wood, waves
and rocks
And, during the winter, you can see, firsthand, the awesome power of nature as huge waves batter the coast. You can watch as logs weighing tons are tossed like pick-up sticks by the raging ocean. And, you can hear the magical sound of stones as they fall down the sloped beach chasing the retreating waves.
Rialto Beach is a relatively easy walk at low tides. The driftwood can make you rethink your concept of driftwood ... from small, smooth pieces that fit in your hand to huge trees torn from river banks that even the biggest bulldozer could not move.
In late summer, the pelicans from California visit. In dead trees beside the surf, you often will see a bald eagle scanning the sea.
You can chose to go past the turn-off to Rialto Beach and Mora Campground and find the trails to Beach 3 (1.4 miles) or Beach 2 (0.7 miles) or go into LaPush Beach 1 (0 miles) ... and walk to the merge of land and sea and look out and see the continental fragments that litter the ocean.
As you can see, at Beach 3 there is no beach on this day, just a pile of giant pick-up sticks that bounce and move as each wave meets the shore. It is an awesome experience. The waves are not so small. The driftwood logs are huge. The whole mass sits there beating like some giant's heart.
Share the magic
On days like this one, the awesome power of nature is the show. During the summer, the tidal pools present a much less intimidating presentation. Sea stars cling to rocks and anemones, small crabs and other creatures sit in shallow pools as the incoming waves bring them nutrients.
It is a magical place to visit at any time. And, I've got to admit, it feels wonderful to share these special places with new friends.
It's kind of a dilemma with me because these special places feed me and energize me. There is a part of me that wants to keep them secret and not share them, but they certainly weren't put here for me alone.
And if someone else can feel like I do in these places - feel as if I am face to face with my Creator - keeping them secret is a terrible waste. I can't imagine that anyone could walk through these places and not be inspired or energized, awed or excited.
Richard Olmer can be reached at columnists@sequimgazette.com.
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