Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Day 232 - Nov. 7, 2011


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.








2 comments:

  1. 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.

    I wish we could make it an obsolete rule, though.

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  2. 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!

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