Long walks on the beach are one of my favourite things to do when I am in California. It’s very relaxing and I enjoy my “quiet” time alone there. But, it’s never really quiet. Even in winter, when there are few people on the beach, the waves and shore birds create a lot of noise, a natural symphony. I can hear the waves crashing from my mother’s house up the hill.
I prefer walking barefoot at low tide. It’s different each time; some days there are shells, sometimes rocks or washed up kelp. Sometimes the sand is bare. Other times there is a collection of bits of plastic, straws and bottle tops. I usually carry a bag with me to collect trash that I encounter along the way. Sometimes I find plastic gloves and masks, unpleasant reminders of the recent pandemic. I see other regular trash collectors as well. We always greet one another and say “thank you.” I am careful to remove sharp objects, like broken glass and metal, from the shore. As I am usually barefoot, I know firsthand that walking on a piece of glass is very unpleasant, to say the least.
After a recent winter storm, the beach was strewn with litter that washed up. Big and little bits of multi-coloured plastic were everywhere. It made me angry to see the beach in that condition and it made me angrier knowing that it all came from the ocean. Our beautiful ocean is filled with magnificent creatures. I love watching the brown pelicans, sea lions and the pod of Bottlenose dolphins that live in the South Bay. Seeing them early in the morning is always a great start to my day. I was very fortunate to get up close to California Gray whales last year. I was overwhelmed by their grace and friendliness. Knowing that all that trash on the beach came from the ocean is heartbreaking. I have tried to help in my small way to pick up litter. Others are doing the same. I will continue to support any groups that educate and volunteer to clean up. Let’s keep it clean for the future generations.
— MCW
I prefer walking barefoot at low tide. It’s different each time; some days there are shells, sometimes rocks or washed up kelp. Sometimes the sand is bare. Other times there is a collection of bits of plastic, straws and bottle tops. I usually carry a bag with me to collect trash that I encounter along the way. Sometimes I find plastic gloves and masks, unpleasant reminders of the recent pandemic. I see other regular trash collectors as well. We always greet one another and say “thank you.” I am careful to remove sharp objects, like broken glass and metal, from the shore. As I am usually barefoot, I know firsthand that walking on a piece of glass is very unpleasant, to say the least.
After a recent winter storm, the beach was strewn with litter that washed up. Big and little bits of multi-coloured plastic were everywhere. It made me angry to see the beach in that condition and it made me angrier knowing that it all came from the ocean. Our beautiful ocean is filled with magnificent creatures. I love watching the brown pelicans, sea lions and the pod of Bottlenose dolphins that live in the South Bay. Seeing them early in the morning is always a great start to my day. I was very fortunate to get up close to California Gray whales last year. I was overwhelmed by their grace and friendliness. Knowing that all that trash on the beach came from the ocean is heartbreaking. I have tried to help in my small way to pick up litter. Others are doing the same. I will continue to support any groups that educate and volunteer to clean up. Let’s keep it clean for the future generations.
— MCW
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