Natural Bridge and Sea Stars

Monday we decided to be outside, enjoy the coast since we had been cooped up in a car for 2 days. Was treated to a beautiful, if not foggy morning from our place. 

Foggy (normal) morning

Headed to Natural Bridge which is a large sea stack (rock) where the ocean has carved natural openings in it.  We got there at 8:45am which is almost low tide, wanted to see the full arch/bridge.  Because the sun had not reached it to where it was lit up, we waited until we got a full view.  People hiked down and over the bridge and we knew that if you were not sure footed, don't attempt it.  People have slipped and fallen to their death.  Nope, we'll watch from above.  Beautiful.

Little hike down to viewing platform

Natural Bridge without sun on it

And with sun

While waiting for the sun to shine on it, we talked with some folks and one lady, visiting from Phoenix!! said she heard about a beach about a mile up called Gold Beach.  Heard it was worth the trip.  So, off we went.  However, did not find Gold Beach but found Meyer Beach.  Lots of folks walking the water line - looking for sea stars, shells, rocks.  What an amazing find.  At first we could not find the sea stars, until we watched folks bending down and looking.  Once we found the first one, bang, bang, bang.  So many of them.  We absolutely loved this beach.  The tide was beginning to come back so we had to stop.  

Meyers Beach - lots of driftwood and sea stacks

Rut-roh. Tide coming in.  Got our shoes wet.

Anemones

Found first sea star

Some natural arches - lady to left - see how big they are

And more - now we learned where to look

If saw anemone, probably find sea star

Tide coming in - head back to car

The next stop on our way back was called Arch Rock.  Walked the brief path to the edge and there was a nice view of an arched sea stack.  Nice - we have seen more impressive, but nice the same. 2 Docents were telling us that in the winter Puffins nest on the rock, but right now only osprey were there with their young.

View to see Arch Rock

Arch Rock

Did big grocery shopping to stock up for the week (I make all our meals since we are both Vegan) and by the time we got back - it was 4:30.  Very exhausted from being outside for hours.  Then was treated to a great sunset.

Panoramic view from living room

Sunset Monday night

Sea Lions (whitish) on rock