Nature provides breathtaking vistas almost anywhere you go. Yet few places I have been provide the diversity of California. Being from the Midwest portion of the United States my daily life consists of farm land to pastures to small mountains such as the Ozark Mountains in southern Missouri. The nearest body of water would have been my neighbors’ pond or the relative vastness of Lake Michigan in the Great Lakes.
Being a person who loves geography I knew California provided a unique collection of landscapes you cannot find anywhere else. I realized the oceans are vast and encompassing. Yet that did not prepare me for experiencing the ocean and mountains and valleys up-close and personal and so close together.
In this post I want to highlight my experience with the Pacific Ocean. I have seen the Atlantic Ocean from the sandy beaches of the Florida coast and out the window from 30,000 feet, but to stand a stones throw away from waves crashing upon the rocks is an inspiring experience. Being so close to the raw forces of nature makes you feel alive. Makes you realize humanity is a small portion of this world.
In the picture to the right you see a Pacific sunset from Muir Beach Overlook north of San Francisco. This picture was taken Saturday March 6, 2010 about an hour before sunset. That evening the waves peacefully lapped against the shore as the sun approached the waters edge. The tranquil view took me back to days sitting on Vesper Hill watching the sunset among the Ozark Mountains. I love how a blazing ball of fury can create something so peaceful.
In the picture to the right I am standing about 50 feel above sea level and a hundred feet away from the waves cresting over the outer rocks. Something this picture does not do justice. I have never been so in awe and trilled by a force in nature in my life. The pure energy the waves exact upon those stones daily is just amazing. Each wave striking every stone, receding away, then raising up again. Creating a majestic scene of raw power. I have to admit I was nervous while taking some pictures closer to the waves. I have never before been so close to a primal force of nature. When you watch the same scene on TV you do not get the proper sense of power. I could not imagine just how amazing the ocean was to behold until I stood upon its threshold. I walked down as far as I dared (the green plant edge) before turning back. If I had not been alone I would have climbed down to the waters edge and experienced the full force of the ocean from the dry rocks (light colored). I realized that was foolish to attempted alone and I cannot wait to go back and visit the Pacific again.