Patriotic Gideon
Terri Webster Schrandt

Sunday Stills: Beautiful #Beaches That Float My Boat

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

Brodie at ocean Beach San Diego
Brodie at Ocean Beach in San Diego
Stand Up Paddling
Morning stand-up paddle session in Mission Beach, San Diego.
San Diego Skyline
Skyline is aglow with last rays of the sun in San Diego Harbor
Mission Beach Boardwalk
Cyclists cruise Mission Beach Boardwalk
Walking Along Pacific Beach Bayfront
Walking Along Pacific Beach Bayfront
the beach is calling
Running on the beach in Coronado
Legs cast shadows and reflections
Beach reflections at Ocean Beach

“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

Windsurfing in Baja
Keep trying!
Ready-to-Sail
Terri sails La Ventana
Beach-Chair-View
My beach chair view after a long windsurf session, in Baja, Mexico.
Sunrise over Sea of Cortez
Baja Sunrise
Baja Sunrise
Early Baja Sunrise
SUP-Time
Hunky hubby off to paddle

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.

sunset paddle session
Delta Sunset paddling
Quiet Delta Morning
River flow brings logs to litter the beach
jade waters of Sacramento River
Kayaking near delta launch
Windsurf Playground
Windsurf gear waiting for kids’ camp
Good windsurf session at the delta marina beach
Park-Bench-Windsurf-Style
Relax near the water’s edge

“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.

SUPPING Mammoth Lakes
Mammoth Lakes area, Northern Cal
SUP Sounds
No wind? No problem. Get out your SUP and enjoy!
SUP Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe
Kayaking on Little Spokane River
Kayaking on Little Spokane River
Me with Aero and new kayak
Kayaking on Lake Natoma, Sacramento

“Skip a stone. Take a hike. Sit a spell. Listen. Daydream. Just breathe. This is lake living.”
– Unknown

Lake Spokane after Spring Rain
After the rain, Lake Spokane
Lake Wenatchee
Diamond peaks, clear waves, Lake Wenatchee
Evergreen waters of Long Lake, WA
Lake Spokane Campground, Long Lake

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.

Wind blowing dog's ear
Brodie’s ear is tugged by the wind on the windsurfing beach.

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.

Blonde and brown dog yin and yang
Dog Tired from a Day on the Beach

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.

Gideon celebrated 4th of July in style
Gideon the Beach Dog
Dog on beach at sunset
Gideon at Avila Beach

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

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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132 comments

  1. From the moment I saw the image, I love your composition of Gideon in the opening photo. It is so much more poignant in learning of his passing. I am sorry for your loss, but know that he has given you many fond memories.

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  6. Lovely captures all of them. I do love a walk by the sea, although it is to far from where I live at the moment. Whenever I get the chance I`ll try to stay near a lake or the ocean. Sorry to hear of Gideons passing. He looks so sweet enjoying the beach.

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    • Thanks, Graham, it was sad to not get to see Gideon one last time…Aero keeps looking for him even now one week later. Otherwise we are enjoying our family and friends as we continue on the next leg of our road trip tomorrow to Prescott Arizona.

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  12. Beautiful images and memories of good times Terri. Hugs to your daughter and all the family on Gideon’s passing. Our dogs are special family members. I’ve had to pick Gem (our dog) up three times when walking him and a coyote came around.

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    • Thank you, Anne! Gideon loved Sacramento when we all lived there. He enjoyed his two younger siblings…my daughter’s BF has Woody, Aero’s brother who looks just like Gideon. We keep a sharp eye out for predators and I feel a bit sorry for wild animals who are forced to come closer to the burbs to feed.

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  13. Oh, Terri,
    Words are hard to come by when someone loses a treasured pet. Glad you were there. I love water pictures and yours are awesome. Thanks for sharing. I love Coronado, but on the 4th? One of my favorite beaches is Kure Beach, just south of Wilmington, NC. The green Coquina Outcrop is a gathering place for birds, which makes it fun. Going back in September. Have a great trip. Joe

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  14. Beautiful shots, as always, Terri. Going to the beach is always more fun – and eventful – with dogs. I’m so sorry to read about Gideon. I know how much he meant to you and your family. My heart goes out to your daughter. He lived a relatively long and definitely a good life. ❤

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  17. As much as I love our beaches, you are so right that they are “ridiculously popular nearly all year-’round” so I don’t go as often as I’d like to. Hopefully after September, things will die down a bit 🙂 I will be spending the fourth at a neighbor’s house, watching the fireworks away from the crowds. It was great to see you last week and be able to catch up. Enjoy the rest of your adventure!

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    • Thank you, Janis! Your neighbor’s house sounds like the perfect place to hang on the 4th. My daughter is hosting an all-day hang out today with a wonderful view of down town and Coronado bridge and a gentle breeze. We leave early tomorrow to head to AZ! It was wonderful seeing and catching up with you!!

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  18. A terrific post Terri – always love your windsurfing and paddle boarding adventures! That is a horrific story about Gideon, I’m so sorry. What a beautiful little guy. I had no idea that could happen! I’m going to link my “treasures” post because I’ve included our marshes which are often home to paddle boarders and kayakers although none are there in my post this week. https://travelsandtrifles.wordpress.com/2022/07/03/lens-artists-challenge-206-treasures/

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  19. hi terri
    It was so nice the way you led us to the treasure of Gideon – the post flow was done so well leading us there with quotes and images and thoughts on beaches and paddling !
    —
    And sorry for the loss of Gideon –
    —
    And this was a too quite for me – “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.” –
    I remeber the first time I kayaked and how it felt on lake Gaston – a whole new world out there and I can see why you like this as your hobby and sport

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    • Thank you so much, Yvette! I had started a draft of the post and it came together as a way to treasure and honor Gideon just a day or two ago. True about the first river quote. My first SUP experience was on a calm morning on the Sea of Cortez. It was magical and then I paddled the Sacramento River when there was no wind. Like glass and the quote is true. Much appreciated, my friend!

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  21. I love all your beach quotes and photos Terri, it’s so interesting to see your paddle boarding, windsurfing progress and the various beaches you’ve been to. Lovely memories of Gideon and it must be so sad for you all to lose such a lovely friend. Enjoy your travels and thanks for the beach vibes!

    My post is here featuring Australian beaches complete with a gorgeous Beach Babe

    Beating the winter blues at the beach #SundayStills

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    • Thank you, Susan! It sure is hard to lose a dog, but my daughter is beginning to cope better each day. Gideon was quite special and I see a lot of his personality in his little brother, my Aero. Glad you liked the images and hope NorCal is treating you right. We are heading out to Arizona tomorrow for a week’s stay. At least the homes all have A/C!

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  29. Even knowing this was coming, didn’t stop the tears. Every picture, every quote, every bit of narrative – perfect. I can’t wait to see you tomorrow! 🙂 You’re going to love the lakes here. I just wish they were fuller! 🙂

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  34. Living by the sea and a beautiful beach, you’ll know just how much I enjoyed seeing all your photos of the beach, Terri. And, currently, we’re on a week’s vacation in Cornwall, which has some fantastic beaches. Sadly I can’t get the photos loaded to share yet, but I’ll leave you with this photo of Swansea Bay beach, which is a 5-min walk from our home.

    I’m so sorry to hear the news about Gideon. The pictures you posted were beautiful.

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  38. I am very sorry to hear about Gideon, Terri. That would have been such a difficult time for you and your daughter.
    So many amazing beaches beckoning for you to go out on your paddleboard. Incredible looking area. Hope you are well. 😀

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  40. Beautiful beach photos, Terri. And I love the quotes. I was raised in the mountains and never spent much time at the beach, but there’s something about the ocean that flows through our veins. So sorry to hear about Gideon. That’s a compassionate but hard decision.

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  44. Beautiful beach and the dogs look happy … laughed at “dog tired” but how sad about Gideon. We’ve had several coyote attacks on small dogs here and we’re not a rural area. Yes, you will meet up again in eternity where we see all our beloved pets again. Keep enjoying the water and I remember correctly, your dad’s birthday is the 6th so hope you take lots of pictures.

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  48. I was thinking to myself about how cute Gideon and Aero looked even when tired, but then I read the following paragraphs. I’m very sorry about what happened to Gideon. Still really love how happy he looked in the last few photos (and the others, including Brodie’s).

    I enjoyed the other beach photos too. Another thing I love about beaches in some Western countries is the boardwalk. They are colorful and I wish we had some seaside boardwalks in Thailand.

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    • Thank you, Gift, for your kind and thoughtful comment. My daughter copes a little better as each day passes…she really loved Gideon and so did we and I really missed him. We’re sad that we didn’t get to see him one more time.
      A very interesting point about boardwalks, I didn’t know that. Have a great week.

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      • I’m glad to hear you daughter is coping better. My family and I have dogs too and it’s never easy to lose our beloved pets. In times like these, I can’t help being thankful we live in the era where we can take their photos and write down about them to keep the memories for as long as possible. I understand that it will take time, but still, sending you all the best wishes.

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  67. Look like a great place to float around and absolutely incredible snips Terri!

    This reminds me of an incredible kayaking journey on ‘River Mahaweli’ I took on the beautiful island nation of Sri Lanka. We kayaked in the day and camped in the river bank in the night and it was undoubtedly a little piece of heaven on earth.

    I didn’t forget to log it under my travel memoirs in here >>

    Exploring the River ‘Mahaweli’ on a Kayak

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