fog and a beautiful sunset

 thought I'd head down further along the arm for the sunset...hoping the fog would be clearing.  it wasn't. 

 we had mixed fog on our walk this morning.  fog  is always so pretty in it's own way though.  fascinating.  how it comes and goes and how you can be in a total fog bank but drive up to the trail head and it be clear as a bell.  not sure what that saying really means though.

 instead i went to Oceanview Bluff Park.  there seemed to be a break in the fog down there.

 it did not disappoint.  most fascinating was the ice.  there were large blocks of ice really far up the shore...long before you hit "the tree" there were chunks of ice.  must have been some dramatic tides.  tide was headed out when i was there this evening.  i do check.  could be deadly if you don't. 

 these strange ice crystals were frozen inside the ice.  I'm thinking as the tides recede with great rapidity perhaps that caused these strange vein-like crystals to form.  the water around it froze as well.  it was quite solid as i headed out..i didn't go too far.  there were big smooth sheets of ice as well.  as you can see from the first photo those were perfect for snagging photo's of the sunset bouncing off of.

 this above was in Stumphenge...it appeared or we surmised that someone had gotten caught out there in the soft ice and had gone through...were they carrying a bike at this time.  we surmised that too.  must have had pretty chilly feet. I'd been there the day before but had turned back as the ice did not seem stable. 

 always cool crystals in the tiny creek.  see how these crystals are straight. the ones by the ocean were all vein like.  so odd.

 these are iphone pics first.

 we had a safe crossing today.  temps are dropping again so the freeze is back.

 it felt cold as well because fog is so damp. we therefore, headed up gasline.  a little hill action to warm us up.

 here is the Monday walk crew for today.  we were ready for hot cocoa after.

 KR got lucky as she kept heading down the arm in the fog while i flipped around and headed for Oceanview Bluff.  the sheep were down on the road.  looks like she got some fun photos.  i think the pups were happy to get out again.  they never tire. 

 we did have class again tonight.  just one more left.  i split them again tonight.  i debated blowing it off...they weren't that tired but i was.  there were only 2 other dogs in class and next week i suspect it will just be me and one other dog. i figured the 2 week break off would thin the class a bit.  one lady complimented me on my training with both dogs.  always nice to hear something nice. 

 as a singleton compliments can be pretty few and far between. 

 the beach today on the iphone.

 a few more from yesterdays sunset.  got lucky two days in a row. not sure what the weather is supposed to do tomorrow.  where to explore?  always the every day question.  i accomplish very little day to day it seems.  wake up, ease into the day, walk the dogs.  it's simple i guess.  peaceful though really.

 liked this one strange cloud formation

 more reflection on ice...further out than today

 Redoubt wasn't smoking today that i could see

 mountains in the distance...looked to have a bit of the fata morgana happening.  they get that boxy look to them

 crazy clouds and colors.

 more color last night then tonight.  God gifts us with immense beauty at every turn.  you just have to stop and enjoy it all.

 heard that there was a collision of a tanker out of Shanghai.  the ship was an oil tanker and it is loaded with 3x what the Exxon Valdez tanker was holding.  it is on fire and expected to probably blow up. 

 this new GOP tax break for the wealthy took away a tax on oil that went directly to an oil spill liability trust fund.  it was set up after Exxon disaster to fund clean up in the event of another oil disaster.  this was taken away.  many thanks to the oil/corporation loving GOP.  well done. 

 they also have cancelled regulations put in place to help prevent another Deep water horizon type of accident...and they are opening nearly all waters on our coast lines in the USA for drilling.  who is the swamp?  who is owned by the greedy corporations? 

 i go to these beautiful places and see these amazing things and i know how delicate the world can be.  powerful at once but also fragile.  man can really do a number. it takes years to recover.  some never recover.  corporations have proven time and time again that they are not to be trusted, that they are greedy beyond our wildest imagination...and yet...here we are.  being forced to trust them to do what they have proven repeatedly they are not worthy of being trusted of.

 pups know and love this place.

 mostly dark but there were some amazing colors as well.  the contrast of the light and dark was really pretty.

 of course, this is always lost on the dogs.  they don't seem to have much appreciation for much beyond the tennis ball continuously being thrown. haha.

 it is how i control them though.

 so i won't complain.

 below by Ivy and Tusker is "the tree".  this is out on the beach and for some reason it doesn't seem to move much so it's the guide we all use to get back to the trail after wandering the beach.

 more pics of the crazy ice crystals. 

 i got quite obsessed and wasn't sure how i could best share them with you all.

 frozen in there.  quite pretty. 

 i kept looking down as it was everywhere.  then I'd sneak a peek back up and see what was happening with the sunset. 

 of course, then I'd also have to toss the tennis ball....walking, pictures and tennis ball. that is my life.

 i think it is what is meant to be though.  this simple life of taking in the beauty. 

 i mean these crystals are just crazy.  the tide has come back in now.  who knows what it all looks like now.  i don't think we will have as high of tides for a bit though so maybe these odd crystals will linger a bit.

 there was loads of chunks of ice though.

 gotten into the short term habit of hitting Moose's Tooth after dog training class for pizza and salad. it is on the way home....and so good.

 do the feet help show the crystals?  maybe the macro would have been a good idea.  i really wasn't expecting too much out there today i think. 

 that is how nature is though...always surprising and amazing me. 

 how can you see all this beauty and not want to protect it all. 

 crystal love baby

thankful for:  A.  that nature never is dull and always has another surprise coming your way  B.  that i am healthy enough to get out and walk and explore  C.  that i can take photos and share them with others and  bring them a moment of joy, peace, happiness, awe...whatever it brings.