This time of year the beach is a wonderous place to be. Massive whitewater from dune to horizon... and on a clear day it can be breathtaking.
It can also be "risk taking"...
the large logs on the beach can be an "attractive nuisance",
luring people to sit or stand on them as the water comes and goes.
It is difficult to imagine that a few inches of water around
and under a massive hunk of timber could be a problem.
But each year on the beaches of Washington and Oregon
people get swept off of logs and once in awhile... the log
rolls over someone with fatal result.
It can happen pretty fast. One moment there is a small
wave that wraps the log harmlessly...
Today I explained the potential problems to these 2
girls and they had the good sense to get off of the log.
Not 3 minutes later a "sneaker wave" came ashore,
turbulently swamping the stump.
The receding water drug the log westward about 10 feet.
With the kids far up the beach on dry sand watching
instead of stranded on a moving tree trunk in the winter ocean.
The ocean is a powerful and beautiful force
that deserves your respect...
and of course your appreciation.
We hope to see you at the beach soon.
