It was far too nice on Sunday to stay in and clean. So after meeting some friends for breakfast, I looked up Jericho Beach and headed out.
3rd Avenue in Kits is also the Seaside Path, which leads to Jericho. Technically I guess it’s a bike path, but lacking a bike, I walked it. A bike is making its way up my list of necessary acquisitions, though. Seems to be a handy way of getting around, if I ever get over my terror of Chicago road biking.
The walk down was nice. Another long stretch of nice houses and greenery. Called home and talked to Mom. She was here visiting just a week ago but it seems like a long time ago. I popped out if the neighborhood, meandered through a parking lot and was greeted with a stunning view. Gorgeous day. Perfect for a hike. And sailing as there were a number of sailboats out in the Bay. Turned left and headed west along the beach. Actually, I wandered down to the water and walked in the sand. The tide was low. Really low.
You could walk way out before touching the shoreline. I was tempted to do so but my Chicago brain said “It’s June. The water will still be cold and as it is only 60 degrees, maybe 65, and breezy, it will not feel cool and refreshing.” The thought of trekking back in sandy, wet cloths and shoes also struck me as unappealing. This hike. I wanted to just keep walking as I had not been in this direction yet.
So in kept walking in the sand. And I found myself wondering about tides.
Tides aren’t a big thing in Chicago. We have Lake Michigan, sure, but water just doesn’t vanish like that. It was quite an interesting sight and went all around the shoreline. Some kids took advantage, set up some ramps and did something akin to wake boarding. Really looked more like skate boarding, only on a water plane instead of concrete.
It looked fun, actually.
And perhaps I’ve found a new subject to learn: tides.
I have a vague recollection of them being discussed in The Outlaw Sea, but it wasn’t the focus of the book. A little cursory online search reveals a connection between the moon and tides. But that’s not enough for me.
The water receded so far out. Like the video from the tsunami. The water just vanishes, like it’s being sucked into a vacuum. Except at Jericho Beach it didn’t then fling itself at the shore and swallow the land, buildings and inhabitants.
Now that I think of it, I bet there’s a Nova special or something on tides. Probably something on the Discovery Channel, too. Hrm…will have to check that out.
So I made it all the way out to Spanish Beach, as I found out later. I just kept walking until I looked across the beach and just saw a road and trees. I had no idea where I was, so I walked up to the next concession/restaurant and then turned around and heard back.
Good two hour trek out, and a little less than two hour trek back.
Been on the hunt for a book on tides ever since. Any suggestions?
Woohoo! Livefyre comments 3 🙂 Looking slick! Thanks for helping us test the beta version Gwynne! If you’ve any feedback on it, please don’t hesitate to reach out!Â
I became fascinated by tides as well when I moved from Oakland, California for St Andrews, Scotland for university. Fluctuations in the tide at the Northern California beaches I frequented as a child could be measured in feet along the shore, but in St Andrews the water would recede by a quarter mile. It seemed so bizarre that the tides could change the landscape so drastically. I’ve been meaning to check out the book “Beyond the Moon” – have you heard of it?
I became fascinated by tides as well when I moved from Oakland, California for St Andrews, Scotland for university. Fluctuations in the tide at the Northern California beaches I frequented as a child could be measured in feet along the shore, but in St Andrews the water would recede by a quarter mile. It seemed so bizarre that the tides could change the landscape so drastically. I’ve been meaning to check out the book “Beyond the Moon” – have you heard of it?
meghankrane Cool! Yeah, it does seem bizarre. There was a spot along the beach that was just tree bark. And clams! Lots of clam shells. I talked to some people who came back to the beach and they mentioned how the water was warm way out there, and that it was uneven and rocks were hard to spot. But they still found it cool. Have not heard, nor read, “Beyond the Moon” so will check it out. Thanks!