When I was Curious about Crystal Cove

by Andrea Tejedor

When I was curious about Crystal Cove, my sister drove me and our children down the California highway to the tide pools.

Donning bathing suits, flip-flops and sunscreen, we hiked down the hill.

When I was curious about Crystal Cove, my children hurried me to the beach to look for starfish, sea anemones and barnacles.

We walked through the sand to arrive at low tide, and were greeted by scattered pools swimming with anticipation.

When I was curious about Crystal Cove, we laid our towels on the beach and ran to the receding water where we scooped up sand filled with curious crustaceans and mysterious mollusks.

The Pacific was crystal clear as we hopped on rocks hoping to spy a hermit crab, and huddled in puddles with the silvery fish.

As we walked down the beach, the rocks and pools gave way to sand and surf. My sister and I jumped in the waves like we were kids, and played until we were covered with sun and salt.

When I was curious about Crystal Cove, we explored until the tide pools rejoined the surf, and sat on our towels drying in the sun.

Afterward we stood looking across the ocean, windblown and salty, wondering what was under the waves, wondering where the starfish, sea anemones, and barnacles were now, wondering