Vol. MMIXAuthor/Publisher: Lloyd JohnsonIssue: July
San Onofre:
The freedom of our northern brothers at San Onofre is in jeopardy again. A California court of appeal has ruled against Friends of San Onofre. Their victory of last year has been reversed. Friends of San Onofre caution that rangers might begin issuing citations immediately, but they are prepared to help fight each citation.
The court has ruled that The Department of Parks and Recreation followed proper procedures when it abruptly declared an end to Cahill/Harrison regulation at San Onofre's Trail 6. Friends of San Onofre are examining their options at this time. San Onofre is one of the few state parks that will remain open, because it turns a profit. It looks like they are going to kill the goose that lays the golden eggs.
Currently there is no threat against Black's Beach, but it could happen here next. Please help us fight for our freedom. Friends of San Onofre will undoubtedly need money to fight this. Please visit our website and visit the Friends of San Onofre site through our "Alerts" page for more detailed information and letter writing suggestions.
The Beach in General:
June gave us the expected gloom, but we also had a lot of sun. There were even days when it was sunny at the beach and cloudy everywhere else. There were a few days when a thousand or more people showed up, and there were a few cloudy days with only a few dozen.
The water temperature has been up to 70 most of the month. The sand has often been too hot for bare feet. We have regained much of the sand lost in the winter.
Future Events:
Regularly scheduled picnics begin this month. We will host Sunday picnics all month. We may even make ice cream a few times.
Toys and the games will be available. We still have tattoos to pass out. We still lead swims.
July 4 / Independence Day PicnicJuly 5 / Sunday Picnic
July 6-12 / Nude Recreation Week
July 11-14 / Catalina Sunsets
July 12 / Sunday Picnic
July 19 / Sunday Picnic
July 26 / Sunday Picnic
August 1 / Surf Event
August 2 / Sunday Picnic
August 9 / Sunday Picnic
August 16 / Sunday Picnic
August 20-23 / Western Gathering
Lupin Lodge
August 23 / Sunday Picnic
August 30 / Sunday Picnic
September 6 / Sunday Picnic
September 7 / Labor Day Picnic
September 13 / Sunday Picnic
National Nude Recreation Week:
National Nude Recreation Week is July 6-12 this year. To us here at Black’s Beach, it means doing what we always do, enjoying our freedom to choose not to wear clothes
The Naturist Society (TNS) has been instrumental in preserving nude recreation at Black’s Beach, and Black’s Beach Bares continues to work with TNS. Please join with us to ensure that there is always room on public land for nude recreation. Look for our yellow flag for more information.
Western Gathering:
I gave the wrong dates in the June issue. The gathering is actually August 20-23. TNS conducts several gatherings a year. The gatherings are political in nature, sharing good news and bad. Philosophies and tactics are discussed, but there is also a great deal of fun, games and camaraderie.
The time of the nearest gathering is at hand. This year the gathering is at Lupin Lodge, near Los Gatos. Dave Cole will be there, representing our interests.
Spring Tide:
Spring tide is a condition of very high and very low tides in the same 24 hours. The highest tides in the summer typically occur at about 9pm. We get a wide beach during the busy day, but there's a sharp rise late in the day.
Consider this before taking a long walk. You wouldn't want to return to find your stuff has been washed out to sea. When you're laying down watching the waves get closer and closer, consider that the next big wave might reach you. 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 / highJul / 7 / full / -0.7 / 6.3 9:47pm
Jul / 22 / new / -1.7 / 7.5 10:03pm
Aug / 6 / full / -0.4 / 6.2 10:02pm
Sunsets and the Green Flash:
With a sharp horizon and a clear sky, it should be possible to see the green flash following sunset. Once the sun gets low enough in the sky and the refraction of our atmosphere separates colored images of the sun, we can see the green image after the brighter, red image goes over the horizon. Watch for a moment of green light after sunset.
Catalina is seen silhouetted by the setting sun mid-July, perhaps 11-14.
Torrey Pines Reef 2:
There is an artificial reef offshore, about 500 yards out and 35 feet down. This reef is host to a variety of life, fish, lobster and other invertebrates. Now that the water is warm, swim expeditions to the reef will take place in the early afternoon. Ambitious swimmers should look for buddies between our two flags, or contact Lloyd through the website.
Parking Lots:
Gay Pride celebrations in Balboa Park will run from July 18 & 19 this year. That always has an impact on parking here.
Stingrays:
There are stingrays in our water all year, even knee deep. Sting rays don’t attack people, but if you step on one, you will learn that their defense mechanism is very painful. It’s treated with heat. Black's Beach Bares keeps hot water for just this purpose. If you are near, come use it. Otherwise, bury the affected area in hot sand. The pain takes hours to pass and rarely requires medical attention.
Avoiding Sunburn:
Summer means it’s easier to get a sunburn. Visitors to Black’s Beach often want to get that all over tan in the few days they are here. Usually what they get is an all over sunburn. Using sun-block is a good idea, but you should also use some shade.
The mid-day summer sun is higher and too intense for tanning. You may even get sunburned in the morning and not realize it. Then, if you resume sunbathing in the afternoon, your sunburn will get worse. The better way to get your all over tan is to stay in the shade until about 2:30, then tan in the afternoon sun. There is plenty of ultraviolet in the afternoon sun for a tan.
Subscriptions:
Subscriptions are $10/year. Email and free copies are available. Donations are accepted.