The Otherworldly Ocean at the Edge of the Earth

For America’s Memorial Day weekend this year, I decided to revisit a favorite location for the sake of my mental health. That would be the Ocean Pacific, where land meets sea at Ocean City State Park along the coast of western Washington. I had only been there twice before, purposely for my bare feet to make contact with the ocean, delivering a sensation of calmness, centeredness, and gratitude throughout my body and psyche.

Alas, a necessary rendezvous was overdue. (I’m subtly pleased at the unexpected and unintentional rhyme scheme in that last sentence).

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The three-hour excursion via Sydney (that’s the name of my Subaru Forester) from Seattle to the Pacific was well worth the journey. The scene along the beach at the park was overcast, windy, and much cooler in temperature than in Seattle, which had been experiencing an unusual bout of warm weather for late May.

In order to emphasize the mood of what I encountered when I approached the ocean, please enjoy this short video clip.

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There weren’t that many people along the coastline. That’s to say, if there were many people, we were all evenly spaced between one another so everyone could enjoy a bit of privacy, intimacy, or personal meditation while listening to the waves or walking within them as they covered the adjacent sands. I did what I set out to do — took off my shoes and socks and greeted the ocean silently.

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The mood and ambiance of the ocean was mystical, serene, and so very soothing. The surrounding mists and fogginess of the shore provided some opportunities to capture some moments, which I will share below. I couldn’t help but be intrigued by the otherworldly atmosphere of the sparsely populated beach in which the Pacific was in control — its waves temperamentally alternating between tranquility and hostility as the time passed. On some occasions, the waters slowly covered my ankles. On others, the waters quickly surrounded my knees, drenching my khaki cargo shorts in the process. No complaints. It’s what I had anticipated. It’s what I wanted.

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Precipice

Contributing to the otherworldly mood of the park, the grey overcast and mists were so vast overhead that, occasionally, the ocean and sky appeared to be one and the same when looking at the horizon to the west. This optical illusion created some more artistic photography in which land (or sand, this case), was completely overwhelmed by sky and ocean. Humans and animals captured in my line of sight when I photographed them appeared to be walking along the precipice of nothingness. I think that’s the best way I can describe what I saw in words. Hopefully, these photographs will provide a better illustration.

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Interface

Enjoy some images of individuals interacting with the enchanting environment of the park.

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Mentally replenished after two hours of joyful engagement with the Pacific, it was time to don my socks and shoes, and prepare for my return to the city.

Thanks for coming along.