The Ocean...

The sounds, the smells, the sights are an essential part of one's being

Ocean Beach in San Francisco is easily accessible. Every time I have gone to Ocean Beach it has been a mile or two from the Cliff House and I walk or run towards the Cliff House then up to Sutro Baths/Lands End Trail. Have been to those several times and really love the trail there.

Last week I wanted to just do a beach walk - you know barefoot through the sand and water? Every year our family goes to vacation at a beach resort somewhere and of course this year we haven’t. And that is always the highlight - being able to go barefoot everyday for a walk or run along the water. From my first post, you know that the sea was a five minute walk growing up and I really long for that kind of setting. Well, until that happens, why not make the most of what I have?

The Great Highway has been closed to vehicular traffic during COVID-19 times which is so wonderful. This I knew from a trip there last month where I had done precisely that - walking to the Cliff House and the Land’s End Trail. This time, I parked closer to the start of the Great Highway off Skyline.

Went in my flipflops aka slippers as I called them growing up aka chappals so that I could get them off the moment I reached the sand. That was the joy.

Have been so happy. to see Graffitti with Black Lives Matter and other Social Justice Art. Here is one:

Instead of walking towards the cliff house I walked in the other direction and it was paradise. Very few people, mostly dog owners with their dogs, a few but very few families - less than a handful - and just the waves,the sand, the lovely air.

You know how you see trails or paths from the car and think one day I want to do this. This path was that way. Walked till see those house clusters on 35 before turning on the Great Highway? Found out later it is Fort Funston Beach.

Oh and at the far end I saw a group of people on horses getting a riding lesson. That was super cool. I had never seen people getting riding lessons on a beach.

By the time I got back to civilization, I saw many more people from a distance on the northern side of ocean beach so did not venture there at all. Just walked back on the tar road to my car.

The ice plants on the cliffsides make beautiful patterns.

Wildflowers in crevices all over add color to the brown and grey.

While walking back to the car, I saw this gopher popping its head out, saw me and went back in. Seconds later, a hawk flew within inches of me carrying either a gopher or rat and flew to the nearest light post - got a shot from faraway guarding its kill.

I am in Zen mode now and can see myself doing this many times over.

All photos unfiltered and taken on my phone camera.