Posted May 15, 2022
"Safe because they stay there," Roy explained, nodding as the infamous rock came into view more clearly now, covered by dozens of the barking creatures. He chuckled. "They stay out there, away from the beach, and mostly men stay here, and we all just look at each other."
"They're...fascinating." Emeline studied the seals from a distance, wishing she could see them more closely. "Lovely. Are they soft, I wonder? Or just slimy?"
"The fur is soft," Lucille observed, "so people use it for coats and boots. Seems a shame, though."
Emeline nodded. "Indeed."
Using Barnabas' arm to steady herself, she started down the incline from the Cliff House to the beach proper. "This is amazing."
Posted May 15, 2022
Barnabas looked out toward the rock that Roy was directing the attention to. "There's a whole passel of 'em out there!" He exclaimed as they came into view. "Boots an' coats you say? Well, with alla them out there I guess there's plenty to go around. But, they'll run out of 'em if they ain't careful." Reminding him of the buffalo.
With her on his arm they reached the sand and paused to stare at the creatures, and listen to them bark. To Pike it was almost a mournful bark, or perhaps that was just how he heard it. Them sitting there like targets on that rock. "So's the meat eatable?" He asked, thinking at least maybe the meat was used as food, and they weren't just being killed for their coats.
Posted May 22, 2022
"Nah, no, I don't think they are good eating," Roy commented, shaking his head, "although I heard that the Eskimo eat the blubber."
Emeline's nose wrinkled up in distaste. "Uh...no, thank you! That sounds horrible! Besides, they look so cute from here!"
They stepped onto the sand, finding the first few steps difficult, and she had to hold onto Barnabas for support. But then she got frustrated and sat in the sand, pulling off her boots and tying the laces together, so she could sling them over her shoulder and walk barefoot...propriety be damned!
"Help me up." Laughing, she held a hand to her to her husband.
Emboldened by the 'lady's' impropriety, Lillian did the same, despite the looks from her brother, although she was able to scramble to her feet without assistance.
Posted May 22, 2022
"I heard about that, heard they ate what, just the fat them critter sue for insulation from the cold up that way. Not anything Id like to try either Em, just not what I'd call food.
He watched her plop down in the sand an take off her boots, which didn't look to be anything to be walking in the sand, his brogans were not getting the job done real well either. He considered removing his as both the ladies had as he helped Em to her bare feet. "How's that feel on them bare feet? Good?"
Then he dropped down and removed both shoes and socks, "May as well join on in Tom." He got to his feet finding that bare feet in the sand felt pretty dare good after all. He looked out on the sunshine reflecting off the water, a beautiful sight, what with no end to it in sight. There was the other side of the bay, but to the west the sea west to went on seemingly forever. And the ships, ones of all sizes and shapes, coming and going. West to east, and east to west, with cross traffic as well.
Posted May 26, 2022
"It's warm!" Emeline declared, "and sandy!" But as she took a few steps, she dug her toes in, beneath the surface. "Oh, and it's cool and damp lower down!"
She and Lillian grabbed onto each other until they got used to walking in the fickle surface, and then she spotted something in the sand. Leaning down, she picked it up and examined it.
"What is this?"
"Oh, that's a sand dollar," Lillian explained. "They're all over here."
"Look at this," she held the delicate object for Barnabas to see, "isn't it beautiful? I wonder how they're formed? Or what purpose they serve?" And if there was a way that she could pack it so she could take it home...it was too pretty to leave behind!
Posted May 27, 2022
"Makin' dollars outta sand now?" He asked in jest. then looked to Roy, "You know of a way we might preserve one of 'em to get back home?" Then it struck him, "Say, they ain't alive are they? That'd really be a problem." They were of course foreign to him. As were the sea lions, and their 'barking.'
"I sorta like this salt air an' all. A welcome change from the city back there." It was true that he liked the salt air, but he preferred the air in Kalispell a great deal more, even the in the winter. Mostly, away from town, the air there was crisp and clean, fresh, free from the smells of civilization.
Posted May 31, 2022
Grinning, Emeline held the sand dollar up to her ear, then shook her head. "I don't hear anyone in there, but maybe they're asleep?"
Lillian laughed. "And maybe it will be good luck to take him home?"
"Nah," Tom was more practical, "it's like the shells that wash up -- whatever formed it and used it is gone now." He stopped to pick up a fragment of broken sand dollar, showing the interior structure. "But they are made of sand." He'd have to find out just how that process worked, and what made the things.
"Nature is amazing!" Carefully, Emeline slipped the sand dollar into her pocket, then sighed. "There is a tang to the air, isn't there? But nothing like our pines back home."
Moving closer to the water's edge, she watched the breakers for a moment, then cautiously stepped into the wet sand, lifting her skirts and waiting as the rim of a wave washed over her feet, then she glanced at Barnabas with a big smile as she felt the sand being pulled from beneath her feet with the retreating water.
Posted June 3, 2022
"I always wanted to see China!" Glancing over her shoulder, she grinned, a bit nervously as she stepped back out of the breakers. "I didn't think it would be so cold. But at least the sand is warm! Let's have our picnic here."
Well, several feet back from the water, where they could lay out their blanket and food, and have a lovely view of the Pacific Ocean, the distant Farallon Islands and the Cliff House as they were serenaded by seals and sea lions!
"This is so beautiful! Now, I do wonder what treats we have for lunch?" Somehow, she suspected it would be a bit more exotic than the fare found in a box social back home!
Posted June 4, 2022
"Well now, we oughtta do just that. Lunch sounds good right about now. Wha'ddya think of that Tom? And I hear you've some interest in the west. It's a time ta be alive out there I'll tell ya what."
He paused to watch Em walk back from the surf, the sun just so, the beads of glistening water on her skin, and sand on her bare feet. He could never see her enough, especially in the changing settings. "Em, let us know what in the basket. Might be something." At least he hoped it would.
"So now Tom, what can I tell ya about life in Montana? Aside from yep, we got wild Indians, an' are fair share 'a outlaws up there?" He said with a smile.