Tide is in!

our deck is 3rd from the right, on the second floor

Our condo is awesome - we live on "stilts" over the tidal basin, part of Auke Bay.  Twice a day the tide comes in and, if high enough, goes under our stilts so it looks like we live IN the ocean!  There are two high tides and two low tides per day, and the time always changes.  When the tide is "out", or low, the tidal basin is hard and people have walked their dogs in the basin. 

View at high tide - 10:36 a.m. on 12/22

The tide numbers don't indicate the depth of the water, but how high over sea level the water will go, but the water is probably 10-12 feet deep at high tide.  The water will go well under our deck and against the barrier in the parking lot.  We are expecting high tides on December 24 and 25, as indicated in the photo (19.6 ft at 12:15 p.m. on Christmas Eve). 

the tide book opened to December

Today, the high tide is 18.6 feet and is already covering the tree trunk that I use under my deck as a benchmark.  If the water covers the trunk, I know that it is as high as I've seen it.  In late October, just before we arrived, the high tide was 20.6 feet.  With a bit of wind like we have today, I can assume that the water was pushed somewhat into the parking lot.  It has not been that high since then. During high tides, the water is full of activity.  We have harlequin ducks, ravens, seagulls, the eagles, and, today, harbor seals are swimming around.  I hear in the summer, it is even busier, and more beautiful.  The photo of our condo (above) was taken in the summer and you can see the beautiful green foliage.  While there have been whales in Auke Bay, the bay that drains into our tidal basin, they don't get this far.   The book is a free publication of the yearly tide tables, meant for fishing and hiking.

I love my "leg lamp" lights!

There are many warnings on the hiking trails to pay attention to tides because when they come in, they come in fast (from low tide to high is about 4-6 hours) and you may be stranded, with no way back except to swim (not recommended!). 

When I open my patio door, I can hear the birds, listen to the waves and feel like I am in paradise - only colder and darker!