This week in the Puget Sound region we are witnessing record Low Tides.
If your asking yourself at this moment "what is a Tide"?
Answer is - it is the pull of gravity from the Moon and the Sun that is the primary cause for tides. The effect is the greatest when the Moon and Sun are in a straight line with the Earth--called "syzygy" (sih' zuh gee)--which occurs during a Full Moon, New Moon, and during a Lunar and a Solar Eclypse. Is that not a cool answer?
Anyway, the reason for this post is to narrate a tale about my low tide experience yesterday afternoon.
I was sitting at my desk looking out over the Northbay of South Puget in Allyn, Washington and admiring the -4.4 low tide. Meanwhile, a good friend of mine stopped by and said "let go out there and get some Goeduck".
If your asking yourself at this moment "what is a Goeduck?
Answer is - Goeduck pronouced "gooeyduck", is a species of a very large saltwater clam, a marine bivalve mollusk in the family Hiatellidae. The shell of this clam is LARGE and even larger with its extemely long siphons or what we call its neck...it has also been called many other things. Another cool answer?
Back to my tale. My friend is an experienced fisherman and shellfish gatherer. I am not! He reaches into the back of his pickup truck and pulls out a slick looking pair of Eddie Bauer neoprene waders.
I put on a pair of old knee high rubber boots over my dress slacks. (Note, this adventure is taking place out front of my office at lunch time.) I was so prepared - NOT!
My friend is also equipped with a bucket, shovel and another implement of unknown origin. And we are off.
First thing I notice about crossing the beach that is usually under water is the MUD. Sticky, malodorous dark grey Mud, sucking at my piteful rubber boots.
After an laborious jouney across the mudded landscape we arrive at the waters edge and begin the search for the allusive Goeduck. I have no idea of what I am looking for.
Apparently their siphon (neck) sticks out of mud and when you approach it ducks back into the mud. The person with the shovel - me in this case- begins a frantic dig and then you reach down into the hole, grab hold of the shell and pull this huge mollusk out of the mud hole.
Soon the tide begins to turn and we set off to return to the land. I was exhausted, mud-spattered and wet. I had broken my designer glasses, ruined my slacks and my new socks.
But you know - it was really fun. We were successful. And tonight we dine on Goeduck, Oysters and Salmon. So goes the summer lifestlye of living in the Pacific Northwest.
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