Now that we are visiting southern California this week and spending time with family and friends, I thought I would share some old and new beach photos to highlight this week’s Sunday Stills theme “Beautiful Beaches.”
“As one goes through life, one learns that if you don’t paddle your own canoe, you don’t move.” – Katharine Hepburn
Ocean and Sea Beaches
Some beach oldies: San Diego has miles of beaches that are ridiculously popular nearly all year-’round. Here are some of my favorites.
“There’s no place like home. Except the Beach.” Unknown
“A long walk in a long beach shortens every kind of sorrow!” ― Mehmet Murat Ildan
I spent three winter vacations in La Ventana, Baja, Mexico enjoying the warm sand and temperate water on the Sea of Cortez. I made a few attempts at windsurfing here but preferred the quiet mornings made for stand-up paddling.
“To escape and sit quietly on the beach, that’s my idea of paradise.” Emilia Wickstead
Beaches on Rivers and Lakes
“Earth and sky, woods and fields, lakes and rivers, the mountain and the sea, are excellent schoolmasters, and teach some of us more than what we could learn from books.”
— John Lubbock
Beaches come in all shapes and geographical locations. The Sacramento River Delta has small beach areas used by picnickers as well as board sport enthusiasts.
“The first river you paddle runs through the rest of your life. It bubbles up in pools and eddies to remind you who you are.” – Lynn Culbreath Noel
I’ve made it my mission to stand-up paddle (or kayak) on any body of water that is appropriate for this activity. Before and after a session, there is always relaxing beach time.
“Skip a stone. Take a hike. Sit a spell. Listen. Daydream. Just breathe. This is lake living.”
– Unknown
On our 2022 road trip, I’ve been out paddling the delta again, and hope to check out the lakes in Prescott, Arizona this week with Marsha!
Dog Beach
My dogs have always been a part of our beach times, especially at the Sacramento River Delta. Today, I celebrate the life and times of playing with our dogs at the beaches.
From 2012 to 2017, I often took my daughter Lauren’s dog, Gideon, to the delta with us on weekends. Gideon was Aero’s older brother.
I say “was” because I have tragic news that Gideon succumbed to injuries brought on by a coyote attack last week in my daughter’s backyard. She rushed him to the emergency vet, and things were looking better. Several hours later the vet needed to intubate him, and my daughter made the excruciatingly difficult, but humane decision, to let him go. He went peacefully in her arms, forever knowing he was loved. He was 12, and surely a treasure to anyone who knew him.
I think the beaches were just a little more beautiful when Gideon graced their shores.
We will always love him and miss Gideon. We are at peace knowing we will see him and all our beautiful pets in eternity.
Inspiring Photo Challenges
- Jez’ Water, Water Everywhere
- Johnbo’s Cellpic Sunday
- Lens-Artists: Treasures
- Marsha’s Writers Quotes Wednesday: Water Transportation
Sunday Stills Photo Challenge Reminders
Sunday Stills weekly challenge is easy to join. You have all week to share and link your post. I’m still traveling and am able to read your posts, approve, share and comment on your links.
- Remember to title your blog post a little differently than mine.
- Please create a new post for the theme or link a recent one.
- Entries for this theme can be posted all week.
- Tag your post “Sunday Stills.”
- Don’t forget to create a pingback to this post so that other participants can read your post.
- I also recommend adding your post’s URL to the comments.
See you next week for the monthly color challenge: ruby red! Please have a safe and sane Independence Day holiday.
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