Path Under Water

Kindlingsfest
Eastsound Village
Orcas Island, my favorite of the San Juan Islands
Puget Sound
Washington

The village of Eastsound sits at the center of the inside bay of semi- horseshoe- shaped Orcas. We always stay at the Outlook Inn. A little island floats in the cove right outside our window. At low tide, there is a sandy path to this little island, inviting adventurers to explore. At high tide, it is still visible under the water. A pale line connecting the big island to the small one can be seen below. It covered in water about waist high in this picture. The tide was about half way in.

One afternoon, I walked out as far as possible. When my toes couldn't touch, I swam, until I found the small island's beach underneath. Yes, it was freezing!

It was interesting as I walked across, how I could feel where the path was. It was smooth sand on a raised bed. I could easily tell when I was off the path. When I had to swim, it was still a guide under the water, even though I wasn't touching it. I was able to see it. More than that, I knew it was there. Sensed it.

I did my victory dance on the shore, then looked back across the way I had come to see curves in the path that minutes before had seemed straight. A curvy straight line?

I saw the path at low tide, I swam above it, I walked on it, I saw it from a different point of view and saw it's curves, which I hadn't seen before. Nobody looking at this picture would know a path existed. You might not believe me. I not only believe there is one, but it is also true whether you believe it or not.