Dungeness Recreation Area – Page 4

Gone

We don’t always come to this spot on the bluffs at Dungeness Recreation Area. It was a surprise to look south and see how much of the bluff had disappeared recently. The former trail beyond the yellow tape now disappears into thin air. The erosion has taken a big gouge out of the land.

The trail has been rerouted onto a shoulder carved alongside the road. Not as scenic but it’s also less likely to disappear from under your feet. Luckily there is a network of trails through the nearby forest and wetlands.

Frosted landscape

If you follow this blog this view may be familiar. I’ve posted it before, usually when I’ve seen a particularly nice rainbow. It’s a view of Dungeness Recreation Area. This one was taken Monday morning after our overnight snow.

The snow transformed the trail we regularly walk. It was magical as we walked out. By the time we came back the trees were dripping wet snow. Less enchanting.

The cold stuff

The weather forecasters were right this time. We got snow overnight into yesterday morning and this time it came down to sea level. It was only two or three inches but it was enough to transform the landscape.

I know. In the scheme of things this barely qualifies as weather much less an event. But it was eye candy for this photographer so you’ll have to bear with me for several days while I get it out of my system.

Mother Nature does her thing

Last Saturday I’m sure this part of the trail at the Dungeness Recreation Area was open. We didn’t walk on Sunday. Monday, the way was blocked as you see here. The length of the trail from this overlook to the next is blocked.

Further down the trail at the next overlook you can peer back and see a gouge in the land where the undercut, sandy cliff gave way. Barrier posts that marked the edge of the trail are now dangling by their wire over thin air. We’ve lost track of how many parts of this trail have given way.

It reminds me: Years ago, driving through a desert pass, we came upon a jumble of rocks tumbled across the road. Trying to be good citizens, we stopped at the nearest outpost of civilization to report this road hazard. The man we breathlessly told looked across the counter at us, shrugged and replied, “That’s just Mother Nature doin’ her thang.”

Slobs

It’s a small peeve in a world crushed in a vice grip of problems. Two burgers, toss the lettuce and onion. Drinks. Fries. A bag. Napkins. Don’t bother to find a bin for any of it. Just trash a nice natural area for everyone who comes behind you.

Go home. And take your garbage with you.

Lumix test drive

These clouds were gorgeous. So I decided to see if my new little Lumix camera was up to a nice capture. I’ve done some adjustments in Photoshop. I have little doubt that spending more time with the manual would produce good results.

Now and then

This piece of land juts out at the base of the bluffs at Dungeness Recreation Area. It’s taken a beating over the last year and is a fraction of the size it once was. We’ve paid attention to it because from time to time it’s been a perch for a passing eagle and lots of seagulls.

Here’s what it looked like about 18 months ago when we were shocked to discover a photographer and model had scrambled onto it for a photo shoot.