I was admiring this puffin on Coquille Point in Bandon when I heard about the missing dog.
I was up on a cliff studying one of Washed Ashore’s sculptures made out of ocean trash when I heard the statement. It was a classic. The perfect senior moment! “Excuse me ma’am,” the young woman called, “do you know there is no dog on your leash?” I turned quickly. At 76 going on 77, I take notes on such incidents for future reference. Yes indeed, a bent, elderly woman was walking down the pathway holding a leash that was strung out behind her— without the dog. She turned, glared at the leash, muttered something, and stared back down the trail like Clint Eastwood on steroids. There came Fido (the name has been changed to protect the innocent), who was equally old in dog years, about 30 feet down the path, tottering along with no obvious desire to catch up. I could almost hear him chanting “Free at last, free at last,” as he stopped to smell the dog pee and dream of his puppyhood days.
Once Fido was captured and leashed again, he dutifully walked off with his mistress and the young woman, waiting patiently for the moment when he would once again slip his leash.
With the help of the young woman, Fido was soon recollared and the three went on their way. As did I. But I wanted to write down the story down before it wandered off like Fido. And since I was still hanging around Bandon, I decided to show you more rocks today instead of the American River flowers I promised. I am sure you are excited. Plus, Friday is Valentine’s Day, the perfect day for flowers.
A rock.A bigger rock.A really big rock. There, are you satisfied. No? Well how about a rock with a hole in it?I think the hole was supposed to represent an elephant’s eye. I had an uncontrollable urge to go down and photograph waves crashing through it.The stairs to the beach. I’ve included this photo for my WP friends who are into perspective.The hole showed great promise.The spume, blown by a hard, cold wind, was gorgeous. But it wasn’t what I came for. I wanted big waves crashing through the hole. I quickly leaned that there was a problem…Yes there were big waves, but they blocked the light, making photography difficult. But you get the point. I headed on…And found some chubby seals sunning themselves on a rock. Fat is beautiful from a seal’s perspective. A layer of blubber keeps them warm when they dive up to 500 feet in search of food. It’s so dark, they use their whiskers to check out lunch. The whiskers operate independently and are apparently quite sensitive. “Ah, I feel lobster is on the menu today.”After checking out the elephants eye and the fat seals, I moved on to the Face Rock Wayside. Can you spot the face?Here’s a clue. BTW, I did a post on Bandon a couple of years ago, so some of these photos may be familiar.There are many other impressive rocks on the beach at the Face Rock Wayside. You are free to name them whatever you want. I thought of these as a pointy headed mom with her pointy headed kids.The sea stacks, as they are called, were once part of a massive cliff stretching out into the ocean. The forces of erosion— wind, rain, sun, ice, and waves— had worn them away to their present status. Existing cliffs are sea stacks in waiting.I hiked along the beach merrily naming rocks. Behold the turtle who only makes progress when it sticks its neck out.I thought this sea stack seen from a cave might be up for the ‘Fickle Finger of Fate’ award Rowan and Martin used to give out on their TV program. Boy could we use that today. I’m not sure that there are enough fingers to go around, however. Before your time? Google it.What does this sea stack resemble to you? Inquiring minds want to know.I decided this rock was decidedly frog-like with its bulging eyes and shiny white teeth. It was grinning like the Cheshire Cat.A seal, perhaps, with its head up barking.I’m thinking naked Hindu goddess, here. But it takes a stretch of the imagination.Of course there were lots of sea stacks that I was happy to admire for their beauty alone.This one had a halo and a reflectionA sea stack bathes in the late afternoon sun.Certainly, there were other things to admire down on the beach, like this cave.And this lone seagull with its massive perch.And water flowing across the beach leaving behind unusual tracks.This was one long piece of driftwood!In line with my theme, I’ll close with this dog that ran across the beach in front of me. Remember when I mentioned the wind? The dog pretty much says it all!
NEXT POSTS: I promise flowers for Valentine’s Day. On Monday we will visit the Devil’s Kitchen. Scary? We’ll see.
Wandering through Time and Place 