Our Favorite Places: Ruby Beach, Part Two
Where We Locate the Critters and See the Sunset
Hello again! If you missed part one of this location, scroll back, traveler. You will not regret it. Surprise! If you follow me here on Substack, you get to see part two today, before I post it on my travel/inspirational page, “The Sunny Side”. Thank you for being here and seeing this. It means a lot to me.
Continuing our walk down Ruby Beach, we strolled on past the rockier parts. The small crowd thinned and became mostly pairs as we made our way to smoother ground. I was looking for garnets that are often found here, but realized I was missing far too much while gazing at the ground. It is said that the beach itself glows red as rubies as the sun meets the horizon. Always the rockhound, I just wanted to see a few up close and personal. I could not peel my eyes away from the view, though.
The smoothness of the sand underfoot, the last shrill call of the seagulls, and the company of my beloved beside me filled my heart and soul. The peace of the moment surrounded me, enveloped me completely. I knew this was not a one-time-only destination. I had to see more. I wanted to go a little bit further, even if it meant hurrying on the return trip to the van.
And then, we found what we had been looking for. The tide pools at low tide were brimming with life. Purple and orange sea stars, green-blue, white, and pink anemone, hermit crabs, barnacles, starfish, and more. We were in sea creature heaven! It had been years since I had seen my first tide pools at Ocean Beach in San Diego, California. I was more than ready to find more, somewhere out there.
I took a handful of dark, fuzzy shots of the tide pools but only one turned out. I decided to bask in the moment instead of trying for more. It was a magical moment, indeed, and a continuation of a bucket list check for me (exploring tide pools).
The low tide created beautiful sand bars with a continual flow of water running in channels. The foggy mist was so refreshing, the views, sublime.
If we had known how special place this place was beforehand, we would have built in more time to explore on our way from one place to another. If ever we felt sad and sorry that our time was minimal, it was on this day, in this particular paradise. Ruby Beach will be back in our rotation of stops, one fine day.
We were richly rewarded with this exquisite sunset view as we ascended the stairs to the parking lot. We stood a few moments, surrounded by joyful, cheesy-grinned people taking in the view, basking in the glory of it all right beside us, until the sun dipped below the horizon, and we all went our separate ways. “Thank you, thank you, thank you, Great Spirit”, I whispered, as we rolled off towards our sleeping spot for the night.
I never found the garnets, but the blessed memory of this just before sunset beach walk will always be my treasure.
Bliss and blessings,
Brenda Cordray
“The Desert Rose"
It was a most enchanting place.