I love this column! I have a geologic bent so naturally enjoyed the descriptions and history. I have hiked the spit a couple of times and also spent a week (working) at the New Dungeness Light Station which gave me hours to explore and enjoy the environment. The description of "Attorneys at the Beach" is the best explanation I have seen for those terms. Bravo!
One of my favorite places too. The future is a good question. Already moderate storms wash over the width of the spit, and there are places that look permanently lowered, like it might get cut into pieces. But it's such a dynamic place maybe it gets built back up. Erosion from the bluffs that build the spit is speeding up also.
A few miles east, North Beach at Port Townsend has stones of jade delivered by the glacier from somewhere in Alaska. On any day there are rock hunters pecking around on North Beach, which is eroding rapidly. The sands hold lots of mystery. Not long ago a mastodon bone fell out of the receding bluffs.
I love the word play, David!
Awhile ago here on San Juan they had a "Flotsam" Flea Market; should have been "Jetsam"...
Waves..."Washing over pebbles, allowing me to hear the lithic chatter."
What a beautifully crafted sentence. Thank you!
I love this column! I have a geologic bent so naturally enjoyed the descriptions and history. I have hiked the spit a couple of times and also spent a week (working) at the New Dungeness Light Station which gave me hours to explore and enjoy the environment. The description of "Attorneys at the Beach" is the best explanation I have seen for those terms. Bravo!
Flotsam, Jetsam, Lagan, and Derelict-Attorneys at Law. I don't recommend them.
Also, wondering, since the free Elwha has rebuilt the beach at its mouth, perhaps that would beef up the spit?
So lyrical! Very enjoyable column, David. BTW, I have a twin sister photo to Andy's of the Spit
One of my favorite places too. The future is a good question. Already moderate storms wash over the width of the spit, and there are places that look permanently lowered, like it might get cut into pieces. But it's such a dynamic place maybe it gets built back up. Erosion from the bluffs that build the spit is speeding up also.
A few miles east, North Beach at Port Townsend has stones of jade delivered by the glacier from somewhere in Alaska. On any day there are rock hunters pecking around on North Beach, which is eroding rapidly. The sands hold lots of mystery. Not long ago a mastodon bone fell out of the receding bluffs.