Category: Beaches and tidepools

Skate Sighting on Pt. Williams Beach

A beached skate appears to be happy now that he’s free of life’s burdens

If you’re among the many who walk Pt. Williams Beach often, or if you did, then you may have seen this creature lying lifeless on the beach in March 2024. 

As I understand, 2024 wasn’t a good for year for skates in our waters, and as of yet, I’ve not found an explanation. When we spotted this one, I was convinced that due to its flat, kite-shaped body it must be a stingray; but later found that one of the quickest ways to tell them apart is by their tails. Stingrays typically have long, whip-like tails while skates’ tails, tend to be short, thick and fleshy, and stingrays bodies are noticeably larger…who knew?

Both are elasmobranchs, meaning they are cartilaginous fish (made up of cartilage instead of bone) and many have openings called spiracles on the tops of their heads which allow animals like them to sit on the ocean floor and take in oxygenated water from above, which allows them to live in the sand or mud without breathing. So if you happen to do a face plant in the sand anytime soon, you very well may still be able to breathe!

Considering the adorable face on this one, it was tough to accept that it would no longer be swimming near our shores, but also comforting in that its remains could very well serve as food for other marine life, birds, and wildlife.

And so the cycle of life continues.

Camping at La Push

Although my husband and I had lived in Washington for close to two decades, beginning in the late 80’s, rarely did we venture to the Washington coast. Our first 20 years were spent boating in the San Juan Islands and South Puget Sound, and we loved it enough to forego most roadtrips.

But after selling our boat, we found ourselves roadtripping with friends and finally ventured over to Pacific Beach for the 2017 eclipse, then to La Push and Rialto Beaches. It was there that we got an inkling how much of the natural beauty and history of Washington we had missed.

Since then, we make it a habit to visit the coast at least once a year, and thanks to the Quileute Tribe, we were fortunate enough to book accommodations at Quileute Oceanside Resort, on land where the tribe has lived and worked for over 1,000 years!

And fortunately for us, we’ll be headed over again the first week of April, but before we do, I’ll check webcams in the area for visuals of the weather (notably, the wind). If you should decide to venture over anytime, consider doing the same. If you’re pulling a trailer, it helps to actually see the conditions as well looking at the numbers.

And, if you should pick up a copy of the 2025 Olympic Peninsula Travel Planner guide, please look for this image, as well as another of mine. I hope they encourage you and everyone to visit often and to enjoy the wild and natural splendor of the Washington coast, most notably at La Push.

A Nostalgic View of Pt. Wilson Light

If you’re like me, you love being by saltwater, and the site of a lighthouse is a clear indication that you’ll find what you like.

Fortunately, we have Dungeness Light right here in Sequim, and Pt. Wilson close by in Pt. Townsend. Since I haven’t built up the gumption to walk the 10-mile trail to ours as of yet, I drive to Pt. Townsend to visit Pt. Wilson Light instead – and it’s always worth the trip.

If you haven’t visited as of yet, I highly recommend it, and if at all possible, volunteer. You are sure to meet others who share your love of lighthouses, the community, and sharing its history with other visitors.

The Pt. Wilson website at www.pointwilsonlighthouse.org states that, ‘Volunteers are needed in many areas. Lighthouse Tours on weekends are run from May through September. Volunteer docents are needed to help interpret and lead visitors through the lighthouse. Share your enthusiasm with interested guests from around the world. Training provided. Fundraising and Public Outreach are a vital part of this project. If this is something you enjoy, we look forward to having your help. Future Plans include education programs, and exhibit design.

If you go to visit, you may want to stay for the sunset (and the stunning views). You can make plans to sleep in one of their vacation rentals, open year round, or just do a day trip.

Whatever you decide, be sure to dip your toes in the saltwater – and to snap a few photos of this wonderfully picturesque lighthouse, or bring along your watercolors or your digital paintbox!

King Tide!?

Although you may recognize this as 3 Crabs Beach, it certainly didn’t appear like it back on December 30th of 2022.

We had a high tide of 9.13 feet that day, and although I’m not aware that it broke a record, it certainly appeared like it. I understood it to be a ‘King Tide’, but was curious as to whether the description was accurate.

While NOAA states that, ‘A King Tide is a non-scientific term people often use to describe exceptionally high tides’ whatever term you care to use, is fine with me. I found it incredibly inviting, and I was tempted to grab my kayak and paddle out, but as the sign indicates, the land and tide plains are protected; so I resisted, although of sinking the sign did come to mind…

Whidbey Island continued…

What’s not to love Washington? Our ferry dropped us off on Whidbey Island and we found this amazing view about a half mile from the dock.

The colorful sky we had while crossing from Pt. Townsend was beginning to gray, but the frosting of the beach grasses and logs were sparkling. It was a simple landscape that was delightfully picturesque and a beautiful welcome on a bitter cold day.

Be sure to make reservations!

Double Rainbow at 3 Crabs Beach

What better way to start a new week than with a rainbow!

Somehow rainbows seem to signal new beginnings and although I captured this one several years ago, I think it’s rather appropriate now. It signals a fresh start not only for the new week, but a new year, and a new focus.