Author: Margaret Leonard

Many times when walkers are walking along the beaches in Santa Cruz County they are approached by locals and asked where they are going.  They reply “Monterey” and are normally told “you can’t get there from here on foot.”  The biggest obstacle is the Pajaro River.  This river meets the ocean just south of Pajaro Dunes and can be a force to be reakoned with….at high tide.  The secret? Make sure you arrive at the river at the lowest possible tide.  Unless the surf is exceptionally powerful, you’ll find success by crossing along various sandbar areas.  Be careful and follow your guide’s advice if you want to be sure to get to Monterey.

Crossing the Pajaro River – LargeCheck out this video taken by one of our Walk The Walkers who felt comfortable enough during the crossing to film a bit of the finish.

The moai are amazing on Easter Island. However, one of the most astonishing things I saw during my recent visit was on Anakena Beach, a pristine white sand beach where the Polynesians first landed.

Check out the plastic debris I collected in just a couple of minutes on this beautiful empty beach. Every handful of sand had tiny particles of colored plastic. Anakena Beach was such a spectacular sight with fabulous moai perched on the sand…marred by the realization that plastic can find itself on an island that is the furtherest place from anywhere….2500+ miles from Santiago, Chile, in one direction and 2500+ miles from Tahiti in the other.

This sobering news is a reminder that we all need to reduce our use of plastic. Carry your own steel water bottle, use drinking fountains, and buy beverages in cans. Be aware that the plastic you throw away or recycle will remain in some form on this planet for at least 1000 years. Sadly, some of it will wash up on the shores of Easter Island.

Here’s a short video of the view from behind the Moai…click below

Anakena Beach Moai

If you want to do something new and different in the new year….try birding!  Yes, it’s called birdwatching by most…but, “birding” is such a better word to describe such an active pursuit that takes you out to excellent places…on foot.

I resolved to spend 10 minutes each day at my home observing birds during 2011. It was a great exercise and I really got to know “my” yard birds. They are fascinating in their own right.

Regardless of how seriously you wish to pursue this hobby, know that you are in good company. Birding is the fastest growing sport in the United States.

An amazing internet resource for birds in Monterey County has been compiled and is available for your use at this link.  Use the photos and comments on this list to become a better birder….Or, search for a good list on the internet for birds in your county or region.

After watching two 10 year olds scamper around the Monterey Bay last week I can say with certainty, I’m not fitter than a 5th grader!

I must admit I was skeptical as two seemingly reasonable adults insisted they bring their daughter and her friend….both age 10, on our challenging 40 mile trip, Walk The Bay.

I would still caution parents that only the fittest and best behaved children can expect to complete this journey. Physically, most anyone can walk from Santa Cruz to Monterey, but, mentally, the walk is tough along many miles of empty sand and dunes.

Thanks to this intrepid and adventuresome family for taking a risk and educating a skeptic!

We love hiking along the beaches of the Monterey Bay all year round. So, giving one morning to help clean a beach, is really the least we can do.