I was born and raised in San Francisco. I know I mention it a lot. For one, it's slightly unusual as a lot of the people who live here now were not born here. Two, it speaks to my deep love for the land and the ocean here. That's why this oil spill is so heartbreaking to me.
I can't believe that Ocean Beach, the first place I ever saw the mighty ocean, is closed. Baker beach where I used to go with my first boyfriend is closed. The water nearest to me in Berkeley is contaminated. I would have to travel at least an hour or more to find an uncontaminated beach right now.
Angel Island is closed:
Of course loss of my own enjoyment pales in comparison to what's happening to the wildlife.
These photos are from SFgate.com
This bird is normally white:
It's so heartbreaking it's hard to think about it.
Here's an excellent Google map. Tried to embed but it wouldn't take.
I did a flickr search and found even more telling photos. I didn't want to download them myself without permission.
Thursday I went to a ceremony in the roundhouse at Pt. Reyes. For the first time in my life, this native of the area was able to spiritually connect with the people of this land. I was able to give thanks and honor for supporting me and to express my deep love for this area. My parents were political refugees and they were welcomed and did well on this land. They, my ancestors, are buried here. I don't know what to do but witness, scream or cry, and as catfish's diary points out, volunteers are being turned away.