Low Tide at Alki
You fell asleep in my arms. So tired you didn’t even finish your bottle, leaving half an ounce of your mom’s precious breastmilk that she works so hard to supply you with. I think she’d understand though. You had a big day. The weather was perfect, and the afternoon boasted the lowest tide of the year, a minus 3.8 scheduled for 1:15 in the afternoon. This would expose an intertidal zone usually destined to be underwater. After your morning nap, playtime with Carolina, and a mid-day bottle, we loaded up and set out for Alki Beach in what would be a “long lunch” for me. Per the plan, you power napped on the way over, leaving you ready to take on our adventure. We parked between Alki’s north and west points, found stairs down to the larger than usual beach, and walked southwest towards Alki Beach Park and the main business district.
With waterproof shoes, and you on my back, we traversed the beach in search of something interesting that would, under most circumstances, be covered with saltwater. We crossed large beds of seagrass, ruffled out on the sand in a half inch of leftover water. We peered under rocks, looking for anything that moves. We made our way down to the shoreline, where the small waves of The Sound lapped at the expansive beach, in a holding pattern between ebb and flooding tides.
After we got a lay of the land, we noticed a promising rocky section, jutting out a little deeper than the rest of the beach. A few groups were already there, crouched down with their phones out. My latest engagement with Marine Biology was sophomore year of high school, Mr. Stevers class, so I was a little out of practice on my intertidal species identification. But we found a handful of slimy, colorful creatures — likely Anemones and Sea Cucumbers. We saw lots of varieties of kelp and seaweed, strewn across the wet rocks, hiding whatever it was that the gulls and crows were after.
I got you out of your pack so you could touch the ocean floor, wearing your neoprene Xtratuffs, perfect for the occasion. You were enamored with the consistency of the ocean waves and focused intently on balancing more than anything else. After a while we continued on, passing groups of spikeballers, walkers, a few intrepid swimmers, but mostly, other intertidal explorers like us. We would later encounter your typical Alki varietals — sun bathers, rollerbladers, volleyballers, tourists — but these groups tend to stick to the upper beach, leaving the intertidal to the curious.
As we walked, the sea picked up its intensity, the tide coming in. I caught a glimpse of gelatinous movement in the sand along the water’s edge, a geoduck poking its neck up for a look around. We reached the end of the public beach, tired and hungry, and walked back along the path looking for a place to rest and snack. I decided Spuds Fish and Chips was right for the occasion and got a 2 piece Cod and fries while you snacked on your lightweight wafer crackers that have become an on the go hit. Stopping for a snack after an adventure felt like parenting to me and you seemed so grownup in that moment. We finished the walk back to the car and loaded up for the drive home. You fell asleep almost immediately, another power nap that left you ready to take on the rest of the afternoon and evening. It was quite possibly my favorite day of being a dad. Being your dad.
That’s the backdrop to how I started this note. You in my arms, asleep. Exhausted. Content. Mom at work. Usually getting you down is the goal, allowing a few hours at the end of the day for us. And I still had a few things on my list for the night, namely this note. But in this moment, I just couldn’t put you down right away. Instead, rubbing my cheeks and lips across the top of your peach fuzzed head as you softly breathed into sleep. You had been such a fun companion all day, and I loved you so much in that moment. Important to remember for future reference when you’re set out to make life hell. Love ya Kid!
Dad
