life guard tower 26 - Ocean Park, Santa Monica CA
trash collected for 20 min.
8.9 pounds collected
I wanted to go into the water so badly this morning. My friends went, but it rained hard on Sunday and the recommended three-day wait wouldn't leave my mind when I tried to will myself to just go for it, and get in the ocean. I am glad my reservations held. 8.9 pounds of trash collected by one person in 20 minutes is way too much trash. Any trash is too much trash, but a cleanup like this one makes me shutter at what might be in the bay that I don't see, that I can't pick up with my hands. So I waited another day, and can't wait to get in tomorrow.
The trash won't have left the scene when I go in tomorrow, it's just that the bacteria from dog waste, humans and other wonderful additives will have diluted enough to make me feel comfortable when I lower my head under the oncoming wave.
Junk on our local beach is such a regular find, I wonder if people see it anymore? My friend texted me earlier in the morning that the run-off didn't look bad...How bad is 8.9 pounds? Is that bad enough yet?
Winter sunsets come on quick, and strong.
A night like this makes the long, pale show of a summer evening seem like years away.
We used to look forward to winter storms and the great surf conditions that followed. Now rainy days-especially Thursday-feel like a bummer because of the run off and awful trash. Sad isn't it? But spend one winter with recurring sore throats and the three day rule isn't too hard to swallow.
ReplyDeleteI wish we could make it an obsolete rule, though.
I agree. I wish we could eliminate it too. Just got back from the beach. A few unexpected big sets came through, dolphins, a cormorant and a glorious day. We are lucky to live here! Hope to see you soon!
ReplyDelete