December 31, 2008

Temperature: 45 F. Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Moderate. Wind Direction: SW. Tide Level: 2.0 feet.

Number of people: 10. Other Activities: searching heavy debris field. Those seen were wandering around the huge landing of logs and other debris which washed ashore.

pelicans and seagulls 'coasting' in the stiff breeze moving south.

Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.), Wood pieces. lots of soft drink and liquor bottles

Erosion of vegetated foredune, Visible retreat of solid bluff, Landslides/major boulder falls.

This observation covered only about 1/3 of the whole mile mostly in the southern end. The logs and other debris deposited on the beach overnight was breathtaking in it's enormity. We have been up and down this beach since 1973 and can't remember even half this volume and that was many many years ago. This had been one of the cleanest beaches that we have visited. Other observations include severe beach erosion that started in earnest last December and continues today. The beach access road that has been officially maintained was seriously eroded last December creating a 5' drop off has been modified by users but is still difficult to get down and back up.