And…………….More Driftwood

9:30 AM.

The sun is about to poke up over a cloudless horizon; a sign that I have “wasted” another fabulous morning sitting at my little writing desk doing the morning clerical chores while being distracted by the scenery. I’d better get going with whatever I have planned for today. Not much, but it will include a walk on the beach. Which is always interesting, especially in the winter.

Here’s part of the parking area at Mariner’s Beach last Friday. Wear your cleats or go around.

As I was pulling out of the parking lot, a car coming in slowed and rolled down the driver side window, obviously wanting socially distanced discourse.

The young lady asked, “Do we have to pay to park and use the beach?”

I had to laugh as I replied, “Not at all, just help yourself.”

Yesterday I took these shots of the driftwood along Bishop’s Beach. First, the sunny side of a tree root system.

And two feet to the right, the shadow side.

My favorite.

Reminded me of many trees I’ve seen along the banks of the Kenai. The seasonal high waters eat away under the tree until it gently falls out over the water but remains alive. The larger trees are called “sweepers” for their ability to sweep everything off the rafts of the early pioneers who were unable to steer clear or stupid enough to travel the river at night.

If the tree is young enough and lives long enough, it executes a ninety degree turn upward, like you see above. Of course, they are all destined to end up on a beach somewhere in the world, stripped of their branches and bark.

Quite a journey, when you think about it. Which I often find myself doing on a clear, crisp winter day while walking on the beach.

The weather really is quite perfect for it.