Cazalea's post beautifully intertwines his passion for watch restoration with the serene beauty of nature, offering a refreshing perspective on watch collecting. His ability to revive a Seiko from a 'junk box' and pair it with a scenic walk on the Silver Strand highlights the personal connection collectors have with their timepieces. This narrative demonstrates how watches become companions in everyday adventures, even amidst birdwatching.
Perhaps I chose the wrong watch today, because it wasn't silver in color to match the name of our destination. But I am pleased as punch that I am able wear this revival from the junk box.
Yesterday I selected a movement, gave it a quick clean, found a suitable case, swapped in a crystal from another (non-Seiko) watch, installed a bracelet, AND IT RUNS. Still on time after an overnight test, and the date changed too!
As the title of the post implies, we are walking on a narrow strand of sand between Imperial Beach and Coronado. It's home to several Navy facilities, a resort hotel, a community of fancy homes, and some Navy-provided family housing. And a State Beach, plus all the native inhabitants.
Small Bird. Orange legs, straight beak. A Least Sandpiper.
Gray legs, long curved schnozzola (longer than Jimmy Durante's): A Long-billed Curlew.
This is the northeast view across the mud towards the city.
Some interestingly-woven sea grass. I think SpongeBob lives here when it's underwater.
A pensive moment at the dock... do I steal a boat and cruise the harbor?
No, we just keep on walking under gray skies on elaborately-patterned sand.
Trying to work out what this means. My wife says this is a Snowy Egret. He is standing clear.
The slightly ratty sign informs us that we have entered the State Beach.
As do the educational signs posted here and there. The birds obviously don't think much of this, because they have crapped all over it.
I'm starting to feel like I am watching a tennis match at Wimbledon. My neck is getting tired from swivelling!
SKY SOUTH
DOWNTOWN NORTH
SUNRISE SOUTH
SEAGRASS DOWN ON RIGHT
BIRD UP ON LEFT
DOWNTOWN NORTH
SKY SOUTH oops I mean WATCH
ANGRY BIRD
BRIGHTENING SKY ON DOWNTOWN
We shake ourselves free from the water's edge and head west towards the middle of the strand. The wide road back to the car beckons.
I sight some flowers across the scrub brush and snap a photo as my wife whispers "Stop! A rabbit."
She gets a Gold Medal for finding this critter. Sony gets a Gold Medal for building a camera that can focus on that ear. I get a Gold Medal for finding wife and camera; rabbit gets a Gold Medal for standing still for me.
I turn my attention back to the flowers and spot the massive Ghost Ship sitting offshore, where it has been waiting for months to get back to business. It comes in occasionally to restock its supplies.
A path across the dunes towards the bay leads us to a couple of signs that say Stay Out of This Area. Why bother? To use up some "accessibility" funding?
The State Beach people could have saved some money by putting up signs like the Navy does. Stay Out Dammit! Or Die.
Back to the South, the sky is completely different from 20 minutes ago.
And to the west above the cruise ship the moon is about to fade away.
Mrs. C points out a tiny yellow flower, which I am happy to practice my bokeh skills upon,
and we are now back at the truck. Clean the sand off your shoes, please, before you get in. My recently-repaired 7005 from around 1970 is still running strong, which makes me very happy.
Thanks for walking with us.
Cazalea
