I was introduced to an icon of the Race Rocks community today when Greg and Richard came by for a supply and maintenance run. His name is Pugface (or ol’ Smushyface), and he’s been around for a long time- that might explain his generally unphased demeanour even when sleeping right next to the busy jetty walkway. So much of the magic of this place immediately clear; be it in the rush of pacific wind, steaming breath of marine mammals, expansive views or fog so thick, as Jeff says, “you might as well be on the moon.” Other aspects of the rocks’ magic take a slower burn, like tuning your ears to an orchestra of living and mechanical notes, or learning to recognize familiar faces and habits of the creatures here. Pugface certainly makes this one part easier! I hope he sticks around for awhile.

Facility Notes

• Secured fire pump line along jetty
• Ran desalinator in the afternoon/evening when the generator started up
• Collected more wooden fenceposts and cinderblocks from perimeter

Vessels Observed

Ecotourism: 1

Weather

Overcast, calm. Winds around 2.5-7.5 knots. Temperatures from 9 to 108 °C.

Sunset Reflections

Perhaps I’ve been relying too heavily on the word ‘magic’ to describe the rocks recently. While searching for an alternative today, I spent some time reflecting on wonder. According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, here’s one definition for the word:

rapt attention or astonishment at something awesomely mysterious or new to one’s experience

“Rapt attention.” To be so completely adsorbed by one thing, made entirely unidirectional for just a moment is quite wonderful, isn’t it?  Yet placing your attention takes some intention too. It’s useful to stretch your brain across the day’s infinity of thoughts and plans just to keep up. But it can be exhausting. The experience of wonder, therefore, means to me a moment apart from the usual chaos of the mind. Not only an encounter with something mysterious or new, but choosing to stop and really take it in. To observe, listen, find novelty in a familiar scene.

What I’m essentially trying to do with this rambling post-script is to express the wonder of these rocks and protected areas like it. More so than just the sights and sounds of a sea-soaked sunset, this place holds space to fully lose yourself in them. I want you to fall in love with its wonder as I and so many have, even without ever stepping ashore.