Black Sand and Shared Coconuts

A few weeks ago, several volunteers went to the beaches along Laborie, a small village on the west side of the island near Vieux Fort. It was a cloudy day and tropical rains were likely to come and go.

As we walked on the black sandy beach, the predictable rain was passing. Some of us took shelter under an abandoned make shift shelter used by fishermen to process their catch; others went for a swim in the blue waters of the Caribbean Sea in search of the coral reef just off the shore. As the rain drops gave way and the sun broke through the clouds, we walked through a forested area and to the next beach. We passed beautiful pieces of driftwood as well as patterns of sandy eroded walls. We floated in the warm clear blue water for what seemed like an hour, allowing the gentle current to take us out and then bring us back over and again. As we stand on the beach drying off, we shared the juice in the coconuts Jeff brought.

We found hundreds of Conch Shells along with other wonderful smaller shells on the pebbled shoreline. As I walked along the water, I remembered that I used to find shells along the California beaches. Now, there are none. I can remember going out in the backyard of our Torrance home and finding shells there. Those memories aside, this was one of those times when capturing pictures on my camera would interfere with experience, so the pictures of the shoreline remain in memory. As a fan of natures details, a couple of us sat on a rock and watched tiny hermit crabs moving across the rocks with tiny colorful shells on their backs. Occasionally, a little crab would attempt to climb over a pebble. From its perspective these pebbles must look like mountains that need to be conquered; to us, the pebble is viewed as one of millions. This crab could be easily overlooked.

A couple of volunteers skip small pebbles across the top of the clear calm blue Caribbean water. Contests among those skipping rocks pass time and entertain us in a small way. It brings to mind the relaxing vacations John and I had so many years ago. Before we had our children we made several treks to Northern California to spend a few moments in our life camping and being overcome with the beauty of nature. We would spend full days on the river with our two large dogs, Charlie and Alice, skipping rocks, throwing sticks, enjoying nature, and talking about our future. We always came to the conclusion that these moments were the better part of Gods plan. Those lazy days on the Eel River, camping among the Giant Redwood Trees, and picking blackberries along the roadside to make tasty deserts are among the best memories I hold.

I’m lost in thought as I watch the little crab making its journey while climbing a pebble. I conclude it must appear as a mountainous white knuckle climb taxing its skills of balance and concentration. He falls from the pebble and quickly rolls back over and continues his journey picking the next mountainous pebble to climb. I put my hand near its path and it retreated into its shell, blending into the rocky and shelled beach. I brought a few shells home which I will enjoy for the short time I’m here in Saint Lucia. I plan on making a trip back to the beach before I leave to bring them home.

On our way back, we stopped to admire the beautiful view, and the remains of an old sugar mill, before heading up towards the light at the end of a beautiful trail littered with almonds that had fallen from the trees. But before the trail ended we saw a butterfly stopping for a rest.