bricode

Dune du Pyla

Last Friday I was looking to unplug and get away from it all. Bro, pops and I drove to the Dune du Pyla. It was certainly refreshing. After climbing the stairs of what looked to be five story sand dune, we got to walk across the top.

It was nice walking along barefoot in the sand, the ocean breeze blowing. The sand drift across the top was spectacular to watch even if it felt like the bottom of your legs was getting sandblasted. A small price to pay if you ask me.

The wind and sand make some pretty nifty sculptures and cutouts. Variations in dampness and location dictate where the sand travels. Apparently the whole dune moves pretty quickly, and ends up swallowing parts of the forest below.

We ended up walking down to the beach.

Sometimes backwards.

Sometimes you really need to work for a shot. Even if it means getting a little sandy.

War finally got in front of the lens of his digital camera long enough to get a shot with me and him in it.

When you're close to the ocean, you my as well get your feet wet. It was quite a bit warmer than I expected, and warmer than I remember the Pacific being on Vancouver Island.

It's amazing how you can get good shots at arms length. Here's the three of us. The men of the family. I'm sure that if it were several hundred years previous we'd be wearing hunting paint and carrying spears.

It's weird travelling with War. I think I've had more photos taken of me in the last month or two that I ever have in my life (okay, there is one exception. I was a model for a photoclub portraits workshop). He's working on my portfolio I guess. This is my whistling pose.

The whole experience really gave me some perspective to life. I realized that the world is bigger than my problems. That if I were to disappear the sun would continue to rise, and the moon continue to produce tides. It was the most relaxed and joyous I had been for a while. Dad made a good point that true happiness comes from within. You can travel the world looking for love or happiness, and chances are you won't find it out there. I know, from what I've done and seen, I certainly haven't found it on the outside. I think it's this photo that really captured the essence of my tranquility.

Eventually the moon rose, and we left for dinner in Arcachon. That was the end of the day.

Posted by bricode at October 6, 2003 09:54 PM