Download March 2004 - Black`s Beach Bares

Vol. MMIV
Editor: Lloyd Johnson
Issue: March
Black’s Beach Bares
Newsletter
Black’s Beach Bares
PO Box 12255
La Jolla, CA 92039
Spring is coming!
Beginning with the equinox, we will have more
daylight than night. March 19th is the equinox.
At about 10:45pm the sun crosses into the
northern hemisphere, making it spring here.
This still means cloudy and cool weather for
the beach. It also means the sun will be higher
in the sky and sunlight will pass through less
airmass to reach our skin. Sunblock will be
more important.
Vandals recently rolled a boulder down the
trail, damaging steps on the way. The worst of
that has been repaired, but more must be done
to insure a long life for the staircase.
The Beach in General:
There were many great warm and sunny days
in January, but not so many in February. San
Diego was hit by a few storms in February and
they took the usual toll on the trail and beach.
The gliderport has obtained more telephone
poles. Some of those poles have been used to
make parking in the far west end of the lot
more orderly. Others have been used to expand
gliderport use of land previously used for
parking.
Sometimes there are over a hundred people
taking advantage of sunny weekends. Dozens
show up hoping the day will turn from gloomy
to sunny, even on weekdays.
High surf and storms have removed sand and
cut trenches into the beach. The sand is still
around, under the waves. It will be back early
in the summer.
On windless days, flies have been a nuisance.
It’s a good idea to bring fly repellent this time
of year, just in case.
Trail:
The trail suffered only slight damage from
recent storms, so far. Erosion has been the
worst in the narrow ravine, but there is still a
clear path. The sandbags just below that ravine
have been showing serious signs of wear lately,
but remain functional.
http://blacksbeach.org
Parking Lots:
The north lot has been closed a few times, for
the glider runway. There will likely be more
closures in April and May. This forces people
who use the north lot to share the south lots.
Spring Tide:
Spring tide is a condition of very high and very
low tides in the same 24 hours. The highest
tides typically occur at about 9am and 9pm. As
a result, we get a wide beach during the busy
day and it gets narrower late in the afternoon.
Don’t be caught off guard when it reaches your
spot. Keys are very hard to find in the surf and
towels are heavy when soaked by seawater.
Highest tides are closely tied to the moon, but
sometimes occur a few days before or after.
Keep in mind that the tides a few days before
and after are comparably high.
Mar
Mar
Apr
Apr
6
20
5
19
moon
full
new
full
new
low
-0.8
-0.6
-0.4
-0.4
6.2
5.9
6.1
6.0
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high
8:41am
8:49am
10:15pm
10:03pm
Vol. MMIV
Editor: Lloyd Johnson
Tar on the Beach:
The storms also wash tar up onto our beach this
time of year. Some of us try to pick it up, but
more keeps washing up. Watch your step and
watch where you spread your towel. It’s very
hard to get it off. If you do need to remove it,
use any oil-based product. Some people carry
baby oil, or suntan oil just for that purpose.
Even lip balm will work in a pinch. Because
some people pick it up, it’s less likely other
people will step in it or ruin a towel. If you’re
going to pick it up, consider using a kelp leaf,
so it doesn’t get stuck to your fingers.
Surviving the Rainy Season:
I’m providing a list of some of the other
clothing optional opportunities in and around
San Diego, for the benefit of readers who don’t
yet know. Consider them a backup plan for
rainy days.
The nearest nudist resorts in the area are De
Anza Springs and Swallows Sun Island. A
little farther away are Glen Eden, Mystic
Oaks and Olive Dell.
Swallows is open but has still not recovered
from fire damage. Insurance did not cover
infrastructure and the loss of income nearly
forced an unpopular sale. It was closed for six
days, pending sale to a clothing compulsive
developer. But, they dodged that bullet.
Issue: March
Naturally California gets together monthly for
pizza and swims. They also organize roller
skating parties, and they’re having a whale
watch cruise March 14th, out of Oceanside.
Inferior Planets:
Perhaps you’ve noticed what appears to be a
bright star in the west, just after sunset. That’s
no star. It’s Venus. Both Mercury and Venus
will be at greatest elongation March 29th,
meaning that they will be highest and most
visible after sunset. If you look with a
telescope, they will look half full. Mercury is
difficult to see otherwise.
Venus will be especially noticed March 24th,
when it’s near the crescent moon. It will be
very near a star cluster called Pleiades April 2nd
and 3rd. The Japanese call the cluster Subaru.
Superior Planets:
Mars is still visible, but no longer the spectacle it
was last September. It will also pass near the
Pleiades March 22nd.
Saturn is a very visible planet lately. It’s now about
straight up at sunset, in the constellation of Gemini.
Jupiter is at opposition, in the constellation of Leo.
It will rise at about sunset each evening in the east,
and be up all night. Only the sun, the moon and
Venus are brighter, so it’s the brightest thing in the
east. March 5th and 6th it will be near the moon.
The hot tub is running. The tennis courts are
open. The fence is up, making the whole resort
clothing optional again.
Replacing the infrastructure is the greater
problem right now. They can’t get residents
back in without it. If you can volunteer your
labor, skilled or unskilled, call up and offer to
help. They lost their backhoe to the fire. If you
know of a bargain backhoe, call them and pass
it on. 619-445-3754
Camping Bares is a travel club, hosting
potlucks, day hikes and camping trips.
http://blacksbeach.org
Jupiter
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