I’ve mentioned before that I spent two of my birthdays at Cannon Beach, Oregon—my 12th and my 15th. Last Saturday was my birthday (not a milestone), and I was fortunate to spend it on a beach as well—this time Richmond Beach, Washington. It’s been a long timing coming since my last beach birthday, but I was glad to get this opportunity.
My husband and I had been to Richmond Beach on a lovely Sunday afternoon in early December, and this was an even more gorgeous Saturday morning in early April. Our retirement community bus drove about fifteen residents to the beach for our weekly park walk. Most of my fellow residents, including my husband, chose to walk along the bluff above the beach, where the view out over Puget Sound toward the Olympics was spectacular.
I chose to walk on the beach itself. My philosophy is that if a beach is accessible, one should walk along the water. The view from the shore wasn’t quite as panoramic as from the bluff, but there was nothing between me and the water . . . and the mountains beyond. It was a beautiful sunny day, probably around 60 degrees, which passes for warm in Seattle springtime.
Actually, the weather was probably better at Richmond Beach last Saturday than on my Cannon Beach birthdays so many years ago. I recall walking on Cannon Beach when I was fifteen. I even waded a bit. The sun shone that day, but it was cold and windy, and I waded only enough to get sand between my toes. Another day that week, I sunbathed on the deck of the house where we stayed, but I didn’t last long before a cold wind drove me inside.
But last Saturday on Richmond Beach, I wore my rubber boots, and wading didn’t bother my feet a bit. I walked happily along the rocky shore for almost an hour, snapping photographs of trains and boats and ferries and mountains. Then my community van had to depart, and home we went. I counted it as a successful birthday celebration.
I hope for future beach walks on future birthdays. And I’m glad I now live in a place where that is possible within minutes of home.
When was the last time you walked on a beach?
Happy birthday and thanks for the pictures!
You’re welcome!
My husband and I spent our 25th wedding anniversary on Kauai this past February. I put my feet in the water at Poipu Beach. Happy Birthday to you!
Thanks, Irene. What a delightful place to spend an anniversary.
Theresa
Happy birthday! We are both Aries. Mine was on Monday.
Ei, it flew away before me finishing the post! The latest sea beach walk for me was in October 2022, in Greece. On the Danube shore, not on an actual beach, but rather on a falaise, last May. And I will walk again on the Danube falaise at the end of April, in Brăila…
A walk along the Danube sounds wonderful. Enjoy your next walk as well.
Theresa
I haven’t been to Richmond Beach but I know that view! I used take the Edmonds/Kingston Ferry over to see my relatives on the Peninsula from time to time.
The last time I walked on a beach was in Kauai, Hawaii last January and it was very nice but if I were in a “you can only choose one” situation I’d go for the glaciated mountains view!
Hmmm. You make a good case for making birthdays-at-a-beach into a tradition.
I could see the Edmonds/Kingston ferry from Richmond Beach, so the view is pretty much the same.
Mountain views are wonderful, but I prefer the beach. Less climbing.
Theresa