Mt. Rainier and Lenticular Clouds - Dec. 2008 copyright: JMM

June 6, 2014

Finding the Holy Grail

As you know I'm a Harry Potter junkie.  I just reread Half Blood Prince for the umpteenth time, plus I watch the movies on TV almost every time they're on.  

I have been trying to spring clean, but when you're handed a sunny, clear, 66 degree day, you have to take advantage.  Was gonna walk at the Canal.  I grabbed my camera and left around 10:15.  As I got to the end of my street, I heard Daniel-Radcliff-as-Harry-Potter's voice in my head cheerfully saying, 'Scusset Beach is the place to be today."  Just like after he took the Felix Felicis potion and said, 'Hagrid's is the place to be tonight.'  OK, that works....we don't have to pay to park there yet so why not.  

This was a very, very low tide.  One of the lowest I've ever seen.

There were lots of rocks which makes glass finding much easier.

I was having some really good luck this morning and was pretty happy with my finds.  I wandered over onto this sandbar to check out the buoy, float and chain.

What a pretty day!

There I was, shooting pics, hunting for glass and cool rocks, and I started to think and even say out loud, 'I really wanna find a marble', 'C'mon marble'.  A friend had found a beauty the week before at a beach about 10 miles north of Scusset, up in Plymouth. Do you know how rare it is to find one?    There are actually 3 holy grails of beach combing:  Red glass, a Japanese glass float (only found in the Pacific) and marbles.  I have found red, but the float and marbles have been elusive.

Reflection of people walking.

C'mon marble....

WHATTTTT?  Right there on the sand, glittering like a sapphire jewel, is a partially worn cobalt blue crystal clear marble.  I didn't think to take pics of it in the sand.  I was too busy enjoying the rush you get when you find something really, really special when beach combing.  I don't even care that it's only 'partially cooked' as they say.  I wanted a marble, and I found my favourite colour and kind.  I  triumphantly pumped both fists in the air and yelled, "YES!!!!!! THE HOLY GRAIL!!!!!!!!!!!!" 

Needless to say, I rode that high for quite awhile. 



Pretty out of focus!!!

 

Pretty good haul I'd say!  A bunch of glass, one operculum and an army man, plus a bunch of cool rocks too!

22 comments:

  1. Hi JoJo,

    Nothing like a bit of Harry Pothead, I reckon :) One beach of a posting with a jewel ending. Before I make a total glass of myself, I've been to Plymouth and it looks nothing like that! :)

    Gary

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    1. LOL Well this wasn't Plymouth....that's a few miles north of this beach. But I'm sure our Plymouth looks nothing like yours, although it does remind me of Victoria BC.

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  2. Wow! I have never found such a piece of glass! I've only ever found flat sea glass.

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    1. This was my first marble. I've found some cool stuff, esp. at Glass Beach in California, but no marbles there either.

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  3. I love your beach combing tales. :D I hope you find the last one of the holy trinity one day.

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    1. Unless I return to the PNW or visit Alaska and their Aleutian Islands, I doubt I'll ever find a float.

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  4. what is a Japanese glass float?

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    1. I'll post a pic on your FB timeline. They wrap glass balls in rope nets. You can buy souvenir ones in shops but I'd love to find a real one someday.

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  5. That's my favorite shade of blue - awesome marble! Gorgeous shots as ever. Go Harry! I'm a huge fan, too.
    Tina @ Life is Good
    On the Open Road! @ Join us for the 4th Annual Post-Challenge Road Trip!

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    1. Thanks! Tina have you joined Pottermore yet?

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  6. I showed that photo of the marble to hubs, as he has a marble collection. Perhaps it was the calling of the marble that did it. Very interesting, JoJo. Or else you may have bewitched it. . .
    Love it when I hear you mention our part of the continent - BC (Victoria). I have a soft spot for Victoria too.

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    1. Your hubs has a marble collection? I do too....it's modest but has some nice pieces in it. I love marbles!

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  7. As I was reading and viewing these pictures, I was thinking of how much fun it would be to join you in one of your excursions. Despite all obstacles, JoJo, you know how to savor the moment. I like that about you.

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    1. Thanks Robyn! :D If all goes as planned I'm hoping to do another day trip tomorrow, to Newport, RI.

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  8. I love Harry Potter! And wow, that's a very low tide indeed. Reminds me of the Philippines. When tide is low, more islands show up. HeHe. What a great post!

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    1. Thanks Sonnia! I should have checked the moon phase when I got home because that is always responsible for the super low or high tides. I've thought about buying cheap marbles in a toy department and depositing them on the sandbars to see if they will eventually wash up 'fully cooked'.

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  9. Great to be able to beach comb. Love your marble. What a pretty colour.

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    1. I'm a beach combing addict. Of course now that it's summer the towns charge money to park (unless you buy a sticker) and they are overrun with tourists. I probably won't go again till fall.

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  10. Quite a haul. Glad it was such a successful outing. I suppose you'll be listening to Harry Potter's voice more seriously from now on. :)

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    1. Love me some Harry Potter! :D Maybe he'll tell me to go buy beads. lol

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  11. Great haul and so cool you found a marble!

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    1. Yeah....that was a shocker to actually find one.

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