BeachWalk_041704

Outer Beach Walk - '04 - April

Maguire's Landing (Lecount Hollow Beach) to Newcombe Hollow Beach

The walk was planned to encompass 4.5 miles of beach walk. Being limited to one vehicle for the weekend meant we had to make it a round trip. There was also some additional distance added when I headed North of Newcombe to check out the beach monolith that I've watched over the past year. That made the walk a total of 10 miles - 5 on the beach and 5 on various paths and roads.

The time spent was three hours. That required that Arlene and I leave biscuet at home - as much as she loves walking on the beach I decided it would be too much of a good thing for a 15 year old dog.

The weather was exceptional and the only respite from the heat was an occasional sea breeze.

The view at the start at Maguire's Landing

This is a stretch of beach that we've walked since 1974. Although it was unlikely that we'd find major surprises, there is always something different to see from along the beach.

An aerial photo would show an undulating shoreline. At times the waves nearly lapped at the dune even though we were well past high tide. At dead high it would have been inpassable at many spots. At other areas there was a wide expanse of beach. Here we are just north of Maguire's in an area where we've had many beach cookouts. The erosion line is new.

In the next few years this low area will be receiving a washover during storms.

The beach is extremely wide at this point but you can see how it cuts close to the dune off in the distance.

The waves created a constant din during the walk.

Inviting as it looks, the water is still too cold for anyone not in a wet suit.

This seal was basking in the sun. When coming upon a seal on the beach, remember to keep a large buffer - both for your safety and that of the seal. The telephoto makes us appear much closer than we were.

Approaching Cahoon Hollow there is another large cut.

On the south side a new path will have to be formed. This is also a younger person's beach since the famous "Beachcomber" watering hole is at the top.

More beach debris.

Someone's austere beach sculpture

Arlene poses by another large dune cut to provide perspective.

Another sign of recent storm erosion. These cuts can appear and disappear overnight.

Another dangerous area where the waves were lapping at this dune just hours ago.

These large tufts of grasses started the winter at the top of the dune. Notice how a large section shifted recently causing a cresent shape to the dune face.

The history of these poses found between Cahoon Hollow and Newcombe Hollow is unknown.

This is the last large dune face before Newcombe Hollow

This is the clay outcropping south of Newcombe's. It has changed drastically in the last month.

Arlene finds a strange clay dome

This clay section was much taller a month ago. Large section fell into the surf.

This crew of friends found fun playing with natural clay.

This is all that is left of a large clay mound that people were climbing in the fall.

Compare this to pictures from the fall.

The warmth created a small beach crowd at the Newcomb Hollow parking lot.