OUR FIRST WALK THE BAY TRIP – May 3-7, 2010
What can one say about our first trip? It was fabulous…! Great walkers, super weather, wonderful accommodations, amazing beauty, and unexpected discoveries along the Monterey Bay.
The group checked into the Dream Inn on Monday night and loved their oceanfront rooms with all the resort amenities you can imagine. Our orientation took place in the very swank Aquarius restaurant bar. A review of the trip over beverages was a real treat as the walkers introduced themselves and began to get acquainted. They each chose to find unique local dining spots on the wharf and had an early lights out.
Tuesday’s walk started with an inspiring visit to Save Our Shores where they became better educated about the hazards facing the Monterey Bay and learned what each of them could do along the walk. The first ten miles along the Bay included whale sightings, shell collecting, people watching, and ended with a beach bonfire at our luxury lodging, the Seascape Beach Resort.
Wednesday’s walk of 12 miles was the longest of the trip but our intrepid walkers seemed unfazed as they spotted seals, sea lions, sea otters, pelicans, and comorants. They learned about the endangered Snowy Plover and spotted several zipping along the sand in their protected areas. Arriving in Moss Landing the walkers fell in love with the charming harbor town and the great variety of restaurants and shops. Staying at the Captain’s Inn on the harbor channel proved to be a delightful way to rest after a long day on the beach.
The walk on Thursday was only 7.5 miles but proved to be most daunting for our walkers. They hiked the Salinas River Beach and toured the National Wildlife Refuge where nesting avocets, caspian terns, and many other amazing birds and ducks were sighted. The walkers collected vast amounts of marine debris and plastic from the beach where the currents of the Monterey Bay deposit the most amazing things on these deserted beaches. The Save Our Shores litter bags filled and refilled throughout the day as our walkers did their duty and made a small but important impact on the plastic pollution problem facing our oceans. They deserved the pampering they received at the Sanctuary Beach Resort in Marina.
Our final 10.5 miles included the dunes from Marina to Monterey and gave our walkers a close up look at the newest State Park in California, the Fort Ord Dunes State Park. Boat buoys, fishing net floats, and beach glass were the treasures of the day. Boat and fishing debris from Norway, Korea, Japan and China were all discovered on this endless beach. Our walkers enjoyed the mix of walking trails, soft sand, and finally the busy waterfront paths that led them to their finish at Old Fisherman’s Wharf in Monterey.
It’s hard to believe this wonderful adventure is over. I will never forget it!