International Coastal Cleanup

Satchel and I had a great time at the ocean clean-up yesterday. We spent a few hours with our neighbors and friends at a beach in Seattle, called Alki Beach. The beaches closer to us had an overwhelming volunteer turnout, so we went across town to a beautiful area (of many beautiful coastal areas here in Seattle) to help out.

The photos are of Satchel and Solomon playing at the Golden Gardens beach and Deception Pass beach two and four weeks ago. Yesterday, it was a bit colder with light rain, but with a lovely rainbow rewarding us at the end of the clean-up. And, Solomon was at his soggy soccer game, with Coach Dad.

Satchel, our neighbors and I enjoyed the soggy beach air and foggy views while we picked up a sadly unbelievable amount of cigarette butts (at least 75% of the garbage!), band-aids, bottle tops, plastic and styrofoam bits with our gloved hands. My conclusion from the day was to wish that tobacco manufacturers could at least make rapidly biodegradable cigarette butts, if not be responsible for funding beach cleanups. I left filled with a subtle satisfaction of helping our ocean habitat, but feel scarred by the highly selfish practice of smokers who think it's OK to treat sidewalks, planters, roadways and beaches like their personal ashtray.

Thanks to Stefany for letting us know about the cleanup and including us in her travel group to and from the site.

Back to sewing today!