Saturday, March 29, 2014

Our Daily Ocean: Day 240

For 2 months, I had planned to do a beach cleanup on March 25 while my kids had their science class at Airlie Gardens.  So when I woke up that Tuesday morning, you can imagine my disappointment when it was overcast and raining.  Thankfully, by the time my kids had their class, the rain let up and I was able to do my planned 20 minute beach cleanup! (AND no time more because as my timer went off... the rain began to fall again!)
As usual when it's an overcast rainy day, the lone people are just me on the sand and a few surfers in the water.  It makes cleaning the beach SO much easier not having to weave through people and their possessions.  That being said, I still pause at things like water bottles.  With surfers in the ocean, it's possible that a seemingly left-behind bottle of water could still have an owner.  But, I always err on the side of "reality"and pick it up.
20 minutes on March 25, 2014 at Access 19
Litter by weight: 15.2 oz
Cigarette butts: 42

Total cigarette butts removed: 57,837

Saturday, March 22, 2014

Our Daily Ocean: Day 239

This afternoon, as my kids and I were talking, I mentioned that it was World Water Day.  My kids looked at me like they were waiting for me to say something more.... so, I finished with: "All life is dependent upon water.  Water IS life.  If there's anything worth celebrating, it is definitely Water."
Normally on World Water Day, I'd wax poetic about how awesome water is... no doubt it IS magic.  And the magic of water extends beyond its sustaining all life.  In some cases, water makes life more livable.  does that even make sense?  I guess, to me, it does because I'm thinking about my friends who run the non-profit Ocean Cure.  Ocean Cure utilizes the ocean by doing charity surf camps for medically fragile youth and adults because they believe in the powerful emotional and healing properties of the ocean.  It's true.


Water sustains us, but it also helps heal us.

Ocean Cure is currently in need of funding to purchase four WAVEJET battery powered surfboard systems to broaden the work they do with Life Rolls On/They Will Surf Again, Wounded Warriors, Little Pink Houses of Hope and many other medically fragile adults and children.

Learn more here:  Go Fund Ocean Cure

20 minutes on March 22, 2014 at Access 36
Litter by weight: 1 lb 1.3 oz
Cigarette butts: 40

Total cigarette butts removed: 57,795



Oh, and if you're curious about what Access 36 looked like back on March 22, 2011: Our Daily Ocean: Day 52

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Our Daily Ocean: Day 238

On Tuesday, I went to Wrightsville Beach in the middle of the day and was shocked to find it completely packed (for a winter weekday).  Of course, my first thought was "doesn't anyone work in this town?"  And then it hit me... spring break for ECU, UNC and App State (and who knows what other NC universities!?).

 So, I learned a valuable lesson.  When living in a beach town, it is important to know when universities are on spring break... or just be shocked when there's no parking and the beach is packed in the middle of the week in winter!
Now, even though the beach was packed, I didn't see (or smell) anyone smoking! YAY! ... and there wasn't much litter to pick up!  In fact, even though we did our best to weave through the people sprawled out on the sand, we only picked up 5 cigarette butts!!



Clean Beach and Clear Waters: Wrightsville Beach from Wilmington and Beaches CVB on Vimeo.

... yup, first smoke-free beach in North Carolina.  And, we're STILL excited about it!
20 minutes on March 11, 2014 at Access 28
Litter by weight: 2 lbs 9.1 oz
Cigarette butts: 5

Total cigarette butts removed: 57,760

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Our Daily Ocean: Day 237

“If the world were merely seductive, that would be easy. 
If it were merely challenging, that would be no problem. 
But I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve (or save)  the world and a desire to enjoy (or savor) the world. 
This makes it hard to plan the day." 
~ E.B. White

... and so adding to E.B. White's quote, as I always do...

"...but then I realize my desire to improve the world, is what allows me to savor it." ~me

20 minutes on March 2, 2014 at Access 25
Litter by weight: .2 oz
Cigarette butts: 18

Total cigarette butts removed: 55,755