Going West: July 19 Part I (Rialto Beach)
Today’s post is split because we have too many pictures!
For our first stop, we followed the park ranger’s advice and timed our morning visit to Rialto Beach about an hour before low tide. This gave us time to hike down to “Hole in the Wall” – a rock formation that looks just like it sounds. The collection of rocks here made for some fantastic tide pools. As Michiganders, we’d never seen anything like it.
Two thoughts: One,it was awesome and completely worth the early hour. Two, it was pretty amazing to have so few people joining us for the walk. When we started out, there was only one other family on the beach (for miles!). By the time we turned to head back, there were a dozen or so groups there. Not bad.
Oh, and we were a little bummed the skies were so grey, but the two hours of sun yesterday were apparently a rare thing. It mostly hasn’t stopped raining/drizzling/misting since we arrived in Washington almost a week ago.
So here’s our morning walk:
Rialto Beach: Almost like having the Pacific Ocean to ourselves
Picking our way through the rocks
Looking out at the waves
Watching water cut paths in the beach.
Our first starfish!
A cozy tide pool
A chilly – but happy – morning
In the video above, we were exploring a tide pool. Julia attempted a video as well, and you can hear her narration in the background.
The Hole in the Wall area was rich with life
You have to watch your step here!
At high tide, the passage is almost covered and cannot be passed. At low tide, it leads to some of the best rocks for seeing starfish and anemones
Walking the beach
Hole in the Wall is toward the right
A long walk deserves a rest
