Happiness pursuit is a good idea.
It covers a lot of ground, this happy idea.
If you do no harm in pursuit, then you’re doing it right.
‘First do no harm,’ is more than a suggestion.
Happiness and harm are not synonyms.
If happiness pursuit includes seeing a reflection of Venus on an ocean, Cannon Beach is your place.
The Evening Star comes out with it’s buddy Saturn on the lower left.
Can you see the rings of Saturn?
Me neither, but it’s still Saturn.
The night sky is full of star light; the ocean full of boat lights; the beach full of campfire lights.
Are they all pursuing happiness?
They are on it more than the people on the beach earlier.
Stay Off The Rock
During a stroll down the beach to see the tide pools of Haystack Rock, famous for its tide pools, I noticed the tide coming in.
My wife noticed it first because she carries a tide book for good measure.
It was still low enough to take a look around, but not for long.
Once my group left the rocks, the next wave came in and it was a swamper.
Not a sneaker wave from what I know about the sneaker, but a low level rouge that put the rocks under about two feet of water while people were still out on the big rock.
Since this wasn’t the Bay of Fundy there was still time to stay dry, but no one moves.
Me: This isn’t good.
Wife: The water came in right after we left.
Me: Those people need to move.
Wife: Or what? Are you going out there?
Me:
Well now I’m no hero
That’s understood
All the redemption I can offer, girl
Is beneath this dirty hood
With a chance to make it good somehow
Hey what else can we do now
The day before we met a man who lived in a beach house and he’d seen the rescue crew work to save a swimmer who got caught in riptide and took a lap around Haystack.
They picked her up on the other side of the needles, did a long CPR on the beach, then took her to the hospital where she was pronounced dead.
Was I going out there for the save?
Me: I’d go out there.
Son: You’d stumble over the rocks and then who’d save you?
Me: You?
High Water Warning For Happiness Pursuit
People come to experience the ocean for different reasons.
One of them is not drowning.
The two people on the rock looked a little unwilling, as if panic had set in.
I’ve seen panic close up on Bright Angel Trail down the south side of the Grand Canyon.
They were hugging the wall and side stepping back to the top after they realized where they were.
If anyone was hanging on for dear life, it was them.
The two people on the rock had someone go out, talk to them, and one came back.
The one that stayed saw more waves come in around the rock and put it all under more water before draining off.
People who hadn’t seen the high water walked out on the ebb flow.
They walked back soaked to mid-thigh.
Eventually the last guy came back and joined his friends who were filming and they all had a good laugh.
That’s how it is on the beach, all fun and games, until it’s not.
You can’t tell people it’s dangerous. They see the signs.
Call them out and expect a return of:
We know what we’re doing.
Don’t tell us what to do.
Who are you, the beach police?
Here’s an idea: Mind your own business.
When the sea is angry, my friends, it’s a one sided discussion.
And you don’t want to be on the wrong side.
Is the big brave man afraid of the water?
Are you afraid of having fun?
Why do you come and ruin it for everyone?
When you’re with a group and give a fair warning, don’t thank me when they all listen.
If anyone heeds your words, again, don’t thank me.
I grew up on sand and rocks and waves and logs.
I know them better than they know me.
We have an agreement: They won’t sweep me away if I don’t give them a chance.
If you do go out, have an escape plan.
About David Gillaspie
