I took a walk tonight, long after the sun set. it was quite dark.

i armed myself with keys in my pocket (the first defense is poke an eye out with a key)

I didn't take the usual beach access which consists of a long boardwalk covered by trees. tis my favorite access in the day time, but at night...well, i won't hedge my bets.

Instead, I took the more visible access. and as I turned into Cherie Down Park, a sheriff's car passed by..but also as I turned into Cherie Down Park, I watched a bicycle turn down into the access less than a block away.

That access is known to the homeless. they sleep on the bench leading to the beach.

but i noted it, yet thought nothing about it and took the more public access.

so i went to my beach access, sat on the wooden rail leading to the beach and enjoyed the cool ocean breezes.

it was HEAVEN on earth. I only wish my camera was capable of capturing the experience.

honestly, if i could have slept out there without fear of being molested, i would.

so the one person i saw head to the beach, via different access, rode along on the sand...when he saw me, sitting up on the railing, he stopped. hesitated and then rode back the direction he came.

I wandered out on the beach because....a...i saw a structure, and confirmation told me it was indeed the life guard tower laid on it's side that is usually several feet down on the beach. i also walked out and discovered that the tide was pretty far out, meaning that regardless of the erosion...everything seems to take care of itself. in other words, every thing seemed back to normal.

as i walked back to the access i had come from, i noticed (in the darkness) a bicycle coming toward me.

I resumed my perch on the wide railing of the access and notice this bike come so far...a few feet from the "access" and stay.

the black form sat for several (10-15 mins) without moving or acknowledging me. At one point I waved and said "Hi!"

yet nothing...eventually the dark shape took off back where it had come from, pausing for a few minutes (as if I couldn't see them) a few feet down on the beach.

Eventually he rode off the direction from which he'd come.

i guess the point is...that is the beautiful thing about here.

as a single woman (albeit, prepared with keys at the ready to poke an eye out) I can walk to the beach, sit and enjoy, feel the cool breezes and the night air... and basically be unaccosted.

I LOVE IT HERE!!!!!