Thursday, January 22, 2009

BEACH Journey....

I went to my regular beach the other day and decided to take a walk on a new path they have put in that goes around the mountain and to a formerly very secluded beach. It was a glorious day with deep cobalt waves and a luscious trade wind.


...and so i set off on my journey -notebook, water and collection bag in hand!
There was so much new to see and explore....

The wonderful thing about Kauai is that the beaches not only have good sand, but the surrounding areas are also gorgeous. Everywhere is like being in a park...almost no houses are visible!

Below is a little rivlet going to the ocean.....



blue blue skies....

an even bluer ocean

rocky shores

...back on the path (only for people and bicycles)

About a third of the way there was a metal fence that had been put up that said "Road closed" and "Beware! Falling Rocks". But I'd seen other people skirt around the fence, so i did too!


It was a long hike, and eventually I came to another fence, that said the same thing, but in the opposite direction.

...the path continued, winding around the hills.

...an old and crumbled pier, with a lookout point. I stopped here for a while and saw a family of whales playing out in the distance. I took picture of them, but they didn't turn out very clear.
.
The sign says that this is a "Shearwater" (that's a bird) releasing site....

Another lovely rivlet...

At last I came to the beach....but I had to climb down a small cliff to get to it.
There weren't too many people there (which is normal, our beaches are almost always empty!)

So peaceful.

this fenced area was right behind the tree and is as high as the sand went from the ocean. the sign says that the area is a sacred burial place, and warns you to leave it alone. beyond this are more meadows and hills, and a walking path that eventually leads to the highway.....

I was picking up shells to use as bezels and I stumbled upon this shell....

It's a cowry shell. I've only ever found the little ones...and the bottom half is usually missing. I use them for bezels....but these shells were whole (but empty) and huge!
The surf was pretty rough but I could see more of the shells being tossed on the shore and then swept back out to sea as tide took them away. All kinds - purple ones, speckled ones, striped ones. I think they look a bit like eggs - sea eggs. I'm going to remove the other side of the shell and use them for mini altars. maybe.
So, I ended up spending a lot of time trying to "catch" the shells. I kind of had to watch the water as it went out (it's pretty clear) and see where the shells where, and then wait for the tide to rush in, and then start trying to grab them before they get lost in the waves again. Mostly i brought up handfuls of sand. I just couldn't be quick enough and still keep my balance. Several hours passed....how time flies! I would have stayed longer, cuz I could see more in the water, but the waves were getting really violent and high. After I fell on my butt several times, got knocked down by the surf, and had the coral and rocks cut up my legs, I decided it was time to head back....but look at my haul!

I put my hand in the picture so you could see how big some of them were. There were also large pieces of sea glass and other types of shells. The little black and white one in the middle on the bottom, is a cone shell. Very pretty -but Cone snails are very dangerous - some just sting like a bee, but others have toxins that can kill you.....i didn't realize that you should never pick them up unless you absolutely know they are empty, because they have a long stinger that they can inject you with. It can even penetrate leather gloves and wet suits.
who knew? (..my DH knew.)

aren't they cool?

yep.....more stuff to store....sigh......

and so I started the long hike back .

more beautiful vistas.......
and other pretty things along the way...

It was getting cloudy and the sky was looking angry.
...but it only rained for a few minutes

and then cleared up!

Time to head home...
.
...I am so blessed.

27 comments:

RWillisGlassArtist said...

Absolutely gorgeous! What a find - that purple one looks pretty. Of course, that could be that purple is my favorite color.

I love walking on beaches and looking for shells. We just get the common shells on our beaches, but ya' never know......one day...... :)

Angie in AZ said...

OH Connie, what an amazing day you had! Beautiful!

I remember those Cowrie shells from when I was a kid living on Okinawa. We always walked the beach with a stick to turn over shells and make sure they were empty.

Maybe you need a mesh net on a pole that you could use to reach into the water as the shells are being pulled back out with the waves... a shell scoop!

Kathy McElroy said...

What a beautiful day you must have had. Gorgeous photo's. Your collection of shells is divine. Have fun playing with those.

Judy Streger said...

Ah, to live in Paradise instead of NJ. What a glorious day you had.

Ele at abitofpinkheaven said...

You ARE blessed. It is really beautiful and I can hear the sound of the water, aaah.

Pat Winter Gatherings said...

Oh I see mermaid's tears! This post makes me long for my beach walks in early Spring....oh dear 3 months away..............Pat

jackie said...

Connie, thank you for allowing me to join you vicariously on your walk through paradise! Your photos are amazing! Your shells are so different from ours in Panama City Beach. I admire your stamina and your determination! Can't wait to see an altar done in a shell!
hugs,
jackie

Joanne Huffman said...

It was almost like being there with you. Great photos and you're an excellent guide. What a great day!

Joanne

Arting Around said...

Connie,
I felt like I was with you on your walk! What a beautiful day you had. And the shells, Mother Nature must have been smiling on you this day! Terry

Unknown said...

I loved sharing your hike with you and exploring all your fabulous finds - great pics xxx thanks for sharing x

Kris said...

Wow! Awesome shots...what a gorgeous experience for you. We love Kauai.
Also our favorite island on earth :)

You are one lucky lady!

Jocy said...

The photos all look wonderful, thank you very much for sharing!

Fiona said...

Oh my - it was like walking through paradise with you - and from cold old England it has been uplifting. Thanks for sharing - you are indeed blessed to live in such a special place.

Kim Mailhot said...

I feel like I have been on vacation ! Thanks you so much for sharing the magic of your island home ! It was a real gift for me up here in the winter of New England.

Those shells are amazing - I will be back to see what you make with them !
Cheers !

Anonymous said...

Love your photos of your day! Glad all the shells were empty :D What I really enjoyed though was your retelling of your day. It felt like being there. With winter here, the sunshine looks wonderful. I'm sure you can do some lovely things with those shells.

jan b. said...

What beauty! I wish I had such lovely treasures to discover on my daily walks.

jan

Brenda said...

You are truly blessed. What an amazing day and adventure, and quite a haul too!

Diane said...

Thank you for the beautiful journey! You are indeed blessed.

bloubell said...

Waking up to your lovely journey this morning was just a great start to my day.

Sarah said...

Hi! You are a woman after my own heart-there is nothing I love more than beachcombing-your shell hoard is great! My eye was drawn to that cone shell before I read about the danger. If I am ever lucky enough to visit Hawai I will avoid them!
So glad you visited me so I could see your lovely blog.
Sarah :)

Unknown said...

i miss HI. we used to visit often since my god parents lived on the big island, but since they passed i've only been back twice - once when i was 7 mos pregnant with my now 5 year old. i think its about time to bring her there to dig the whole Hawaiian vibe.

you are blessed.
xoxo
jul

EADotCom said...

What a lovely catalogue of photos! This pictorial diary is almost unreal. What an unspoilt place you live in. Reminds me of some of the beaches here in East Malaysia....

EADotCom said...

What a lovely catalogue of photos! This pictorial diary is almost unreal. What an unspoilt place you live in. Reminds me of some of the beaches here in East Malaysia....

Wildflowerhouse said...

I am so envious!!!! Thanks for sharing all the beauty.Sharon

Char said...

Thank you for sharing your day! I loved that you took photos along the way so that the reader felt that they were there with you.

I have never been to HI but it was fun to go thru your eyes.

Char

BunnyKissd said...

What a great haul! I love the purple one...

Lorri Scott said...

I would do this walk with you next time I'm on island! Maybe when I come visit in April?

xxox