I love where my brother and sister-in-law live. Diamond Point, Washington, near Sequim. I visited them last year for a little over a month to have some quiet so I could work on my business. I had been sitting working on my computer for quite a while, and finally decided to take a walk (one of the three I took while visiting them) down their beach below their hill. It was the afternoon, and I wasn't sure which direction I was going, but it would be nice to get some fresh air. I hiked down their hill and went west along their beach. It was so nice and quiet, with the ocean lapping the shore right next to me. I walked for quite a while nearing the point where a little cabin was in the near distance. I had seen a person in a canoe arrive there a short time before.
I wanted to hike that far and then around the point (probably 6 or so miles), but I realized daylight was waining, and I didn't know anything about the evening tide. So, I decided to turn around and started retracing my steps. I might come back earlier another day.
Shortly, however, I saw something rather alarming. A bunch of dog tracks... Coyotes, or worse, wolves. I didn't know that wolves were not necessarilly located in that region, but I didn't want to encounter wild dogs of any kind. If a pack came out of the woods, my only escape would be into the ocean just a few feet away. It was already November, and would have been very cold.
Not relishing the thought of hypothermia or a dog attack (I wasn't even thinking of bears or cougars), I quickened my pace. These kinds of thoughts put a damper on my walk, but brought me back to the reality of the world we live in. I realized I had been careless in my plans that afternoon. Safety is a prize worth hanging onto, whatever ones circumstances. I've often let curiosity get me into unpredictable situations. Here we go again... But then, I do have an active imagination. Nevertheless, it was a great walk, and I didn't let the unpleasant thoughts affect the rest of my walk back. It will be a great memory, and I would like to do it again, but earlier in the day and with some company. Maybe one or two of my dogs... These are pics of our three dogs - a German Shepherd named Moriah, a Malamute named Koda, and a Golden Retriever named Dixie. Whoever gets to go will be a great companion. After all, it's just another adventure. :)
