After a short walk along a well maintained trail that weaves through a second growth Douglas Fir stand, we are greeted by the low hanging summer sun. One of very few sandy beaches in the San Juan Islands, this 64 acre preserve has been protected for the generations to come. Here you will find 2,100 feet of protected shoreline, a 13 acre fresh water pond teeming with wildlife, an expanse of grass lands that host "wild" asparagus and a hillside filled by a dense second-growth conifer forest.
Volunteer built raised path over the wetland
Through the woods to a sandy beach we go
Storm thrown drift wood
The beach has been dubbed by some as "Agate Beach". Sunny winter afternoons on a low tide provide for the best hunting conditions. The low angle of the sun is caught in a prism by these little gems of the beach and will glow as if a beacon. The gaze of the agate hunters eyes are easily distracted by all of the surrounding beauty. To keep your eyes always focused on the stones is to miss a sea bird riding the wind, a winter black mouth jumping out of the water to avoid a predator or the always tuned ears of a coyote poking up over the grass, analyzing the potential threat of the beach comber.
A second set of eyes is always helpful
It is pockets of beauty like this that scatter our island and the surrounding San Juans. Thanks to the hard work, dedication and generous donations of individuals, these pockets will be protected for generations to come. These preserves are places of solace and a reminder of the beauty in the world. When your days feel low and the news of the world is making everything seem hopeless, we can be grateful that places like this exist, to give us hope and clarity.
