Tidepools at Enderts Beach
The first trip to Enderts Beach was ill-timed. It was just the kids and I, Aaron was back at the RV working. We didn’t know that once parked we would have a 20 minute hike to get to the beach - a walk that snaked along the cliff before heading through some brush down the bluff. It was gorgeous the first time, so much so that I insisted the second trip include Aaron. I also insisted that we return at low tide so that we could access the tidepools - even if that meant we had to be in the car by 6:30 AM.
The reading I did ahead of time, as well as the sign posted on the way to the beach, promised a variety of sea creatures that I’ve only experienced alive in an aquarium. My hopes of actually seeing these creatures remained low. The walk was lovely, we saw a rabbit and some snakes on the path. Then we walked down the bluff, scampered down the rocks, and were the only one on the beach! We set off to the north to find the tidepools.
They blew my expectations out of the water (ha!), I have never seen so many sea creatures out and about in a natural tipepool, not even man-made ones contain so many delightful creatures. Honestly, it looked man-made.
My children just about lost their minds. “Mommy, this is the best day ever!” “Mommy, Thank you so much for bring us here!” After doing our two-finger touches with animals that were attached to the rocks (Wade was NOT interested in these slimy things that will “hug” your finger), such as the green anemone, and then gently picking up leather sea stars from the sand, and rescuing a topsy-turvy crab we were on the hunt….the one creature we couldn’t fine….the sea urchin. We searched thoroughly, even venturing over to the other side of the beach, not alas, none were found. What they did discover is that if you touch the small anemones that they will shoot water at you (aka, “pee on you”).
Know what we did find though that was a total surprise? A river otter, scampering out of the ocean into his den. There is a creek that runs into the ocean at this beach. Upon closer observation there were sea otter tracks everywhere on the beach, it was pretty exciting.
This was an exceptionally special adventure, even if it was done by 9:15 in the morning. It was also a colder one, so we came home and made some hot chocolate, and then set out to enjoy the rest of our day.
