We’ve been inundated with rain, and everywhere I go, that is the topic of conversation. Overheard in the next line at the store, between any two people whether they be strangers or not. How much rain? Over eleven inches since the start of the year, which is a lot even for here. It’s hard to not be a bit depressed about it, but on the other hand it’s a little comical. It’s as though no one has anything else to say to each other, or they all want someone to commiserate with.
All of this makes the occasional sunny day that much nicer. The sun seems almost painfully bright when it peeks out, as noticed when you go out and people are smiling and squinting at the same time.
The other night we decided to go clamming on the spur of the moment. We have plenty in our freezer, and it had been raining the first two nights of the three day dig. But, it had cleared up, and there was no wind so…….. off we went with head-lights and a lantern to help with the hunt in the dark. Now, I don’t really eat clams. But, I love to dig them. Love. it. And I will cook them, but the cleaning needs to be done by someone else. I suppose it’s the thrill of the hunt – looking for some small hole in the sand, or a slight indentation even. Of course there are the ‘doughnut holes’ that are the clear markers, but if the water is washing over the sand you just don’t get those. I’ll dig anything that looks ‘different’ – and often I get lucky.( I secretly like to think of myself as the most skilled clam hunter in the house. ) It is hard in the dark – did I say that already? But I can’t get enough of wandering around at a minus tide, and looking up and down the beach at the hundreds of lanterns in the dark. There are headlights from the vehicles that drive by, higher up on the beach; but the people are all out nearer the water, and all you see is the lanterns. There is no other light. As far north or south as you can see, its a magical glittering portrait with the sound only of the waves breaking and an occasional ‘woo-hooo!’ from someone who just scored one more toward their limit of 15. Every now and again someone hollers ‘run’ if a wave breaks and is flowing in with a little more gusto. When it’s clear like it was on Saturday, there is the bonus of looking up at the sky. It is breathtaking seeing the billion stars that show up, as there’s hardly any other light here.
The catch wasn’t so good – we only got ten clams between the three of us. One person held the lantern while the other two dug; we wandered for an hour and a half; I dug dozens of holes at anything I thought might be a winner, and ended up with five in my bag. The guys got three and one. Richard got swamped by a wave, and his boots full of water (which makes you cold and not much in the mood to keep on). Me, with my down coat on, made sure I ran when the waves approached and managed to stay dry and warm. I could have stayed out there for another couple hours, but the guys had had enough. Next time, maybe. The spring digs will all be in the morning, which is fun too, but the magic is not the same without all the stars above and the tiny lights in the distance.
The last few nights have seen the return of the crab boats on the water. I can’t help but do a count when I look out the window and see their lights shimmering out in the darkness. If it’s clear like it was last night, I can see them if I wake in the middle of the night. I watch them slowly rise and fall with the ocean swells, and peeking in and out through the trees that are between us and the beach. It’s sort of mesmerizing, and sometimes when there’s a light fog just above the waters’ surface, there’s an added glow when they get close in to shore. The last few nights (and this morning) there have been no fewer than a dozen boats all working the area that I can see. Some are way out near the horizon, and those are like tiny stars that come and go as they weave and dip in the water. I know that they’re working during the day too, but it is literally a sea of grey, and they’re hard to spot. It looks as if they mostly come out at night. Just for me.
All this thinking about boats has me decided on what’s for dinner: last nights’ catch of crab.
I’ll be heading down to Ilwaco this afternoon to pick some up from our favorite fish market. The boats ( from in front of our house) bring them to her, she cooks it in the big kettle out front, and it’s on the table tonight. Add in a couple artichokes, sourdough bread, a little lemon and some butter.
The only decision left is what’s for dessert.
Hmm, what can I make thats sparkle-y?
I love this post Renee, it’s so poetic and peaceful. One of my favorite things to do when we had the boat was to go clam digging. I could always find a great hole by tilting my head and scanning down the beach to see the multitude of squirts, honing in on one and going to twon digging. I have never liked to eat clams, which was fine by all who ate them, I just really, really loved to dig them! I wish you had a pic of the lantern lit beach though.
Thanks! I wish I had a pic too, but my little point and shoot isn’t up to the task. I had no idea that you were a digger too – you should come down sometime when there is a clamming weekend. The kids would probably have a good time at it as well. They haven’t released the dates for the spring digs yet, but I’ll let you know.