sunset over the north shore

The only time i got to the North Shore of Oahu when i was in Hawaii was at the end of the day. All the famous shrimp trucks were packed up for the day so i wasn't going to stop, but after a long day of touristing a break for the sunset seemed like a good idea.

There are plenty of beaches and parks along the road by the ocean, but i wanted something a bit more secluded so i pulled over at a break in the guardrail where some surfers were packing up.

It was a wee hike down the break and then some careful scrabbling over the rocks, (why do i always seem to decide to do these things when i'm wearing a dress?) but the view was totally worth it:

hello Pacific

unobstructed view to the west

  

the breakers between me and the car

With the sun still well above the horizon there was plenty of time to do some writing and watch the surfers. Even as the temperature started to dip, some of those guys showed no signs of stopping.

The sound of the surf was so relaxing that i didn't notice the rising tide until it was almost too late.
I jumped to a higher rock before i was totally soaked

and watched the tidal wild life come out to scavenge.
There are little crabs all over the rocks in this picture

but you can't really see them because they were the same black as the rocks. There were also black water bugs and even little black fish swimming between the rocks. By the time i gave up trying to get a picture of the tiny creatures, the sun was sinking towards the sea.

 sigh... so lovely... so peaceful...
Here's a bit of peace for us all. Have a great weekend.

deer crossing

This sign is no joke in Shenandoah.
There are deer everywhere.
I swear that i think there are more deer hiking the trails along Skyline Drive than there are people.
You are driving along, minding your own business and deer meander out in front of you. One of the reasons the speed limit is so low (35 mph) is to keep both deer and car hoods safe from each other.
This trip i feel i like i saw even more than last year, especially more male deer with their fuzzy summer antlers
Plus, more deers in groups.
Normally you might see 2 or 3 deers together, but this year since i was staying at Big Meadows i walked up a trail through the meadow right at dusk and spotted a herd feeding
It was amazing that as the sky darkened they would let you get pretty close as they munched away at the grass
 
I even saw a mother leading her fawn through some brush, but wasn't able to get the camera focused fast enough.
Now, i just need to have this sign
follow through on its promise.

sunset over the blue ridge

Hazeltop Overlook, elevation 3462ft Like watching sunset over the ocean, you wait and wait and wait and then suddenly the sun slips away right before your eyes. I like being reminded of how fast our little planet is actually spinning in space. Silhouette and reflection