Waves Crashing at Rialto Beach (WA)

Sea Stars at Low Tide

Big Leaf Maple (and Me)

Mossy Tree in the Hoh

From H2O to Hoh

Today was pretty varied as far as ecosystems go, but they do have one thing in common: water. We got out to the beach this morning before low tide so we were able to walk to the Hole in the Wall tidepool and see some pretty interesting things. I am fascinated by sea stars for some reason and there were orange and purple varieties (actually, I think they are the same variety, just at different stages or something.) These contrasted nicely with the sea anemones that were also on the rocks. These came in green and purple/pink. They’re pokey little fingers remind me of those morphed koosh-like balls that seem real popular these days…the kind that stretch and can be turned inside out. I guess I never realized what they were modeled after before but after seeing the anemones, there is no question in my mind.

Even though we weren’t at the beach yesterday at high tide, the difference between then and low tide was astounding! Yesterday the waves seem to be the only menace to those who would venture forth into the surf but today, well, today was a different story. Rocks galore! The rocks and sea stacks at Rialto beach are remainders of what used to be the cliff shoreline until the effects of water, wind, and waves have taken their toll. The big trees that are washed up to the beach edge actually serve as a bit of a buffer to delay further erosion. I found out that these monster skeletons of trees actually come from inland; they are carried to see by the rivers and bounce around until big winter storms push them very far up the beach. Now that would be a cool sight to see!

The Hoh Rainforest isn’t really what we expected. Now, before you say anything, yes I realize that it’s not a tropical rainforest and there will be no monkeys jumping from tree to tree or bug eyed tree frogs peeking around every corner. However, I did expect something … else. First of all, it hasn’t rained a drop since we’ve been here and the forest didn’t even look damp. All in all, the Hoh doesn’t look that much different than the forest our campground in. Now don’t get me wrong, that’s not to say that it isn’t neat, because it is, it’s just not what we expected.

In addition to the big trees, the moss is probably the second coolest part. It drapes off of every branch and trunk of some of the trees, so thick that it looks like they look a bit like sea creatures covered in algae. The most baffling thing to me is that the water that runs through the streams in the rainforest is absolutely clear. I know the reason (it percolates from the mountains above so it is filtered by sand and gravel) but the logical reason seems to register a half-second behind my brains initial expectation. I guess I think of forests and rain and then I think of mud; therefore the streams should be muddy messes. Another water note: the river that flows out of here (Hoh River) runs gray; this is because the glaciers grind up pieces of rocks into fine particles and these color the water. Yes, it does seem that I’m very aware of changing water colors, but I think that you would be too. Perhaps it’s an encoded survival thing to be wary of water that is unfamiliar to what we know to be safe. At least it gives me something to ponder.

That brings me to my last point, being in nature and away from the responsibilities of everyday life (and mind-numbing effects of media) definitely makes one think about more varied topics. This you may have noticed from my blogs, which I’m sure have become more cumbersome to read. But hey, I’ve been including more pictures, so that evens out!