Winter on the North Coast

The inn is quiet and peaceful at this time of year. This is the perfect counterpoint to the fierce storms that sometimes thunder over the Coast Guard House. Over a hundred years ago the Life-Saving Service placed the flagpole (pictured here) to stand patriotically along side this building which at that time housed the brave "Surfmen". The last big storm finally had its way with this grand flagpole and you may be looking at the last picture of it standing proudly erect. Does anybody know how to right a one hundred foot, one hundred year old, one ton solid redwood flagpole?
Winter also brings the beautiful white tundra swans. Similar in shape and size to Canada geese, tundra swans migrate to the Garcia River flat lands a few miles from here every Christmas. Occasionally while walking at Manchester Beach they can be seen taking flight in a perfect V accompanied by a flurry of honking and flapping. Quite a sight.
The surf is generally high at Arena Cove. The surfers (this is not an internet term) are out in droves. The fishermen are laying out the crab pots on the days when the waves are not too high. Any hint of spring is quickly replaced by a blast of arctic air and a horizontal rain down the canyon.
So...we start a fire and get cozy.
Love to hear from you,
Mia