This morning's walk on the bluff trail was a spectacular visual treat. A clear and bright sky, along with a light but constant wind, made it a signature Sea Ranch wave watching event.
Unfortunately, after walking south from Salal Creek for about 20 minutes, we came upon a most disturbing sight. I saw a bluff trail that was only 1 or 2 feet from a 20 foot fall onto the rocks below. Then I saw an empty 40 oz beer bottle just off the trail. While the sight of an empty beer bottle on the bluff trail is visual blasphemy to any Sea Rancher, an even more troubling visual is possible. That would be the sight of a body crumbled on the rocks below.
As most Sea Ranchers know, the bluff trail is both wondrous and foreboding. Walking on the bluff trail is a relatively low risk activity, but……you'd better pay attention. Provided one walks during the day and exercises a modicum of caution, he or she should be fine.
However, walk the bluff at night and you're just asking for trouble. Walk it at night while slugging down 40 ouncers and you ARE in trouble, the kind of trouble you might not get out of.
However, walk the bluff at night and you're just asking for trouble. Walk it at night while slugging down 40 ouncers and you ARE in trouble, the kind of trouble you might not get out of.
Though I've officially been a permanent Sea Rancher since June, I've pretty much lived full time at The Sea Ranch since last April. Too many times since then have visitors to our special place on the north coast, enjoyed its wonders and ignored its inherent dangers. As a result, they paid a terrible price.
While it's unclear whether any tragedy here involved alcohol, it's very clear that alcohol increases the likelihood that one will occur. Unfortunately, based on what I discovered this morning along the bluff trail, not everyone understands that.
And, that's another reason the issue of bluff erosion is so important.
The next walk on the bluff is tentatively scheduled for 10 AM on March 12, beginning at the Helm Station. Hope to see you there!
The next walk on the bluff is tentatively scheduled for 10 AM on March 12, beginning at the Helm Station. Hope to see you there!
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2 comments:
John,
Litter is offensive no matter the surroundings, but I agree with your classifying that artifact as blasphemous.
Those who does not have a healthy respect for Nature will at some point incur her wrath and She can be unforgiving.
Turning your back on the sea can be the last thing you ever do.
Likewise, drinking alcohol near rocks or a bluff top could easily be the last mistake made.
Public safety rules are there to inform and warn people of known dangers, but they cannot protect people who are unwilling to consider the rules applying to them as well.
You cannot protect people from themselves. There are some who cannot be saved. In those tragic cases, you only hope that they do not bring others down with them.
Linda
Thanks for commenting Linda.
You're right of course. Let's hope they don't take anyone with them.
Unfortunately, those they don't and the ones left to morn and bereave. Just a bad deal all around.
John
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