Vol. MMVIII Editor: Lloyd Johnson Issue: April

Vol. MMVIII Editor: Lloyd Johnson Issue: April

Spring is here!

Finally the days are longer than the night and sunsets are in the northwest. Unfortunately it hasn't given us much warm weather yet.

The Beach in General:

There were many, warm and sunny days in March, even a few hot and sunny days. Often there are only dozens of people on the beach, but there have been hundreds of people on hot days. Water temperatures have climbed to 62.

We hardly lost much sand over the winter, but we will now regain that and maybe more. The highest tides will soak much of the beach, but will also bring that sand.

Future Events:

The time of year when Black’s Beach Bares sponsors events is approaching. We will host picnics Memorial Day weekend and Sunday picnics July through September. They will all be contingent on good weather. Ice cream will be made on exceptionally hot Sundays.

May 3 / World Naked Gardening
May 25 / Sunday Picnic
May 26 / Memorial Day Picnic
May 28-31 / Catalina Sunsets

World Naked Gardening Day:

This is a new idea from Seattle's Body Freedom Collaborative. The idea is simply to try gardening nude, indoor, outdoor, private or public, according to what your community will bear. You can plant, rake or pull weeds. If you will be at Black's that day, I suggest removing exotic (non-native) plants. One example I know of is the tumbleweeds. I know I would like to step on their thorns less often.

Spring Tide:

Spring tide is a condition of very high and very low tides in the same 24 hours. The highest occur about 12 hours apart, but I only list the higher, of the two. This time of year it’s a matter of leaving your stuff high enough before taking a walk late in the afternoon.

Spring tides are closely bound to new and full moon, but comparably high a few days before and after. Also the time of highest tide gets about 40 minutes later each day.

moon / low / high
Apr / 6 / new / -0.9 / 6.6 10:03pm
Apr / 20 / full / -0.4 / 6.0 9:44pm
May / 5 / new / -1.5 / 7.2 9:34pm
May / 20 / full / -0.6 / 6.1 9:41pm

Alcohol Ban:

The city of San Diego has passed a one-year ban on alcohol on city beaches, beginning April 1st. This was a reaction to the Labor Day riot of last year.

We call it Black's Beach, but it is in fact Torrey Pines State Beach. Fearing that drunken parties might find a refuge here, state rangers decided to follow suit and ban alcohol here too.

It is the mission of Black's Beach Bares to keep Black's Beach open to nude recreation. It is not within our mission to oppose an alcohol ban. We are neutral on this matter.

Trail Vandalism:

The trail has suffered vandalism, presumably raided for firewood. Losses were noted March 20 and 23. Despite this setback, Black's Beach Diggers have vowed to repair those spots and continue with their upgrades.

Parking Lots:

The La Jolla Half Marathon will be Sunday, April 27th this year. North Torrey Pines Road is part of the course, and access will be limited while runners are passing. Try to be patient, or try to time your arrival better.

The 13-mile race begins 7:30am at the Del Mar Fairgrounds and people finish at La Jolla Cove 1-4pm. They should be in the vicinity of Torrey Pines Scenic Drive, mile 9, starting about 10am until noon.

The north lot will be closed occasionally, for the glider runway. This forces people who use the north lot to share the west and east lots.

The parking lot is often locked promptly at 8pm. Newcomers should know how to get out if they find it locked before they leave. Left of that gate and a ways across the gravel lot is another exit. Look to the right.

Tar on the Beach:

The currents sometimes 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. 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.

Flies:

We are also entering the time of year when the flies can become a bother. When there is a lot of seaweed and no wind, they don’t leave us alone. On those days you will find seaweed covered with flies that swarm every time anybody comes near. Sometimes they even hide in footprints and in the texture of the sand. The remedy is to move the seaweed far from yourself, and out of the path of by passers. It’s also a good idea to use some kind of repellent.

Red Tide and Jellyfish:

March 11 I noted a red layer in the top foot of the water. I even video taped it and posted a frame to the trip report. I know red tide is toxic to fish, so it is probably related to the many dead moon jellies I saw on shore that day.

Moon jellies are different from the purple jellyfish we often see here. Moon jellies are clear except for a white, flower-like shape at the center of their dome shaped bodies.

Clothing Optional Oases:

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 cooler days, or options to fighting La Jolla Half Marathon traffic. There are links to all these clubs through the Black's Beach Bares website, on the "clubs" page.

San Diego Naturist Club is a new club in San Diego County. Camping Bares is a travel club that meets for potlucks, day hikes and camping. The nudist resorts in the area include De Anza Springs and Sun Island. A little farther away are Glen Eden and Olive Dell.

Membership and Subscriptions:

Both are rather casual. There is no official list of members and I rarely check subscription expirations. Subscriptions by US mail are $10/year, and $2/year for email subscriptions.

Many people take free copies from the bulletin board and the people who read newsletters from the website are uncounted too. These free sources of the newsletter will continue, because keeping people informed is the point.

Please consider making a donation anyway. After all, there are monthly expenses for operating the website. Donations can also be directed to Black's Beach Diggers trail workers. You decide if the newsletter, the website or the trail have made your visit better, and donate accordingly.

http://blacksbeach.org