Walk on Water

This year, in order to survive Christmas, I did the thing that always works for me. I pretended I was on holiday in a foreign country and that I didn't know anyone. The first two parts of the equation were easy - holiday and foreign country - but the last one - that I didn't know anyone - was a little more difficult. So I basically hid out during the Christmas Eve potluck preparations and then when I knew everyone was pigging out at the clubhouse I pulled my chair over to the seawall and imagined I was in Mexico!

Weather-wise, the day was one of the best we've had in weeks. Clear blue skies, no wind, and downright hot when sitting in the sun. I stared out at the water. The tides were the lowest yet. I put the Kindle in the trailer, donned a fleece vest, grabbed my camera and refreshed cocktail and went down to the beach.

One of the things I love about really low tides is the ability to walk way out into the water. From the shore I imagine it looks as though I'm walking on water, much like the heron in the photo below.

I've been told that during low tides one can walk out to the island. I tried that once a couple summers ago. I got about halfway to the island but chickened out, afraid of sting rays and fishermen at the helm of boats who may not notice a woman walking on water.

Looking back towards town.

There's not much in the way of tide pools here. Mossy sandstone. The occasional walking seashell.

It was fully dark when I got back to the trailer. I walked around lighting the luminarias a friend from the States had placed all around the park. People were leaving the potluck dinner. My newest stray cat scratched the hell out of my foot in an effort to keep me from walking away (he's quite affectionate - a little too affectionate).

It was nice being alone in a foreign country for Christmas Eve. But not as nice as being with family. Feliz Navidad.