Never Forget the Power that Ocean Holds

"Make sure there's always other people around when you go swimming".  "Never swim alone". "Don't go in water over your head". "Stay close to the lifeguards".  "Don't swim at sunset".  These are just some of the warnings I've heard over the years from people who showed their concern at my habits of doing all of the above despite promising I wouldn't. White lies, I tell myself.  Just little white lies to keep them quiet and from worrying unnecessarily.  After all, I'm a good swimmer and I'm always aware of my surroundings.  

Yes, I try to make sure there are other people around when I swim but that's not always possible.  Sometimes I end up heading to the beach alone because no one else feels like going and I'm not one to pass up opportunities just because I have no one to go with.  And later in the season, there are few people at the beach because everyone is back to school or work and the air is cooler.   I rarely go in water over my head but if the water is clear and calm, sometimes I'm enticed to go further out to explore the depths with my mask and snorkel. And swimming at sunset?  Well, that's my favourite time to swim!

I've always heard the stories about Inverness Beach and some of the other nearby beaches along the northwestern coast of Cape Breton.  Stories about the riptides and strong currents and about how many people have drowned in the area over the years. It wasn't that I didn't believe the stories; I just never witnessed conditions bad enough to warrant much concern any time I swam there. That is until July 27th, 2024.  That day turned out to be one I'll never forget and one that changed the way I feel about the ocean forever.  

That day started like any other beach day.  I picked up a friend and we drove the 2.5 hours to Inverness Beach.  I choose my days wisely when I know I will driving that distance.  I make sure the forecast calls for plenty of sun, warm temperatures and light winds.  I picked a good one.   

For most of the afternoon, we alternated our time between swimming and sunbathing on the beach. I swam in water just over my head with no issues.  Everything was good, it was a perfect day.  

At around 4 O'clock, we went for a long walk down the beach to dry off and headed to Cheticamp for something to eat with the intention of returning to the beach in time for one last sunset swim before heading home.  

We walked onto the beach near the canteen and instead of walking further down the beach like I usually did, I decided to just swim right there. Just before sunset, I entered the water for my final swim of the day.  The water was still calm and clear and the sun was starting it's descent into the horizon.  About a dozen people were still in the water and all was well.    No one else was in the water right where I was but there were people all around, both on the beach and in the water nearby. 

My friend stayed on the beach this time to take pictures and catch up on some messages she got throughout the day.  I slipped into the warm water and when I got waist-deep, I swam for a bit in the fading beam of sunlight that stretched from the horizon to the beach.  After a few minutes, I switched to floating on my back.  I remember it being so calm and relaxing in those last few moments before the chaos.

I was only floating like that for maybe two minutes and in a matter of seconds, my relaxing sunset swim turned into a fight for my life. When I tried to stand up, I was in water over my head the shore was getting further and further away.  I tried to swim but to no avail.  I was being pulled into deeper water.  Then it hit me; I was in a riptide.  My first reaction was panic.  I frantically tried to swim harder and harder and instead of getting closer to shore, I was pulled underwater.  I remember advice giving to me in the past; if you find yourself in a rip current, DON'T PANIC!  I regained my composure but knew I needed help.  I waved my hands in the air and yelled "HELP".  I could see everyone on the beach but no one was looking my way.  No one on the beach saw my waving and no one heard my desperate call for help.  I was on my own and had to act fast.  

As if by some miracle, my foot found a large rock.  I wrapped my ankles around as best as I could and held on for dear life while I tried to regain my strength for one last attempt to get myself out of that raging current. When I felt ready, I used all my strength to propel myself toward the beach using the rock.  I swam as hard as I could, using both arms and legs and all the energy I had left.  Finally, I was back in water shallow enough to stand up and walk the last few feet to shore. The whole ordeal felt like an eternity but was just minutes, if that.  That's how quickly I could have been swept out into the open ocean and never seen again. When I reached the water's edge, I collapsed in the sand, choking and crying.  My friend raced to me to see what was wrong.  She hadn't seen a thing but she saw the terror in my eyes and knew that I had just been through a harrowing experience. 

For days after that incident, I couldn't get my mind of it.  All I could think about was how close I was to drowning and how lucky I was to be still alive.  I noticed myself feeling grateful towards everything.  Even small things - like a relaxing walk, my morning coffee with Dad, a hot meal - were given more thought than usual.  And let me tell you, was I ever grateful to see that beautiful sunrise that morning.  And as I sat silently and watched the sun rise over the bay and the sky turn all sorts of vibrants colors I couldn't shake the thought that I almost never got to see the sunrise again. 

I went for a swim at the beach close to my house a few days after the incident in Inverness and found myself looking at the ocean differently.  I didn't hate it or blame it for nearly claiming me; I just had a newfound respect for the power it held and how quickly it could turn a leisurely swim into a fight for survival in a matter of seconds. I entered the water slower than usual and as I stood and looked out to the far depths of the Atlantic, that wave of gratitude came over me once again when I thought about how I could have ended up somewhere out there, never to step foot on dry land again. 

Jersey Cove, Black Brook, Inverness and Everywhere in Between

It's always nice to have friends in various places around Cape Breton.  One such good friend has a seasonal home in Jersey Cove at the Joyful Journeys RV Park. I pass through there often on the way to Ingonish so I always make a point to stop in and pay a visit or, as was the case early in the summer, stop by, head out on an adventure in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park and stay the night in Jersey Cove. 

I left early that morning with the beach on my mind.  The earlier the better.  It's about an hour's drive to Jersey Cove and another hour to Black Brook Beach where I intended to spend the day swimming and soaking up the sun.  And what weather we had this summer!!  With soaring temperatures, more sunny days than not and clear night skies, you'll hear no complaints from me! 

 

Anyway, I arrived in Jersey Cove around 9:30.  My friend wasn't quite ready but once she was, we took a short walk around the grounds and down to the water before heading toward the Highlands and onto one of our favourite beaches. 

Two years ago, we went to this beach and it was beautiful but we faced disappointment last year when we went.  The beach was rough and there was hardly any sand.  It was so bad, we had to go swimming elsewhere.  I hoped and hoped we wouldn't face the same this year and fortunately, the beach was back to it's usual glory!  

 

Long story short, the water was crystal clear and warm and the beach was all soft sand.  As per usual, I didn't want to get out of the water but when hunger struck and the sun started to dip in the sky, I reluctantly found a spot on the sand to dry off.   

We hung around Ingonish for a while just enjoying the sights, walking North Bay Beach and eating French fries by the shore. It was almost dark when we headed back and we were too tired to have the bonfire and smores we planned to have that evening before bed.  

The next morning brought with it another adventure to another one of my favourite beaches on the other side of the island and this was going to be an all-day and evening event because I never drive all the way to Inverness to leave before sunset.  Sunset is the main event on the West Coast of Cape Breton Island. 

Although we arrived quite early, there were no parking spots close to the beach so we had to walk quite a ways with all our gear. When we finally reached the sand, we found a perfect spot to spend the day.  I dropped my things and stripped down to my swimsuit and went in the water right away.  I'm not one to just lie in the sun for hours and hours; being in the water is my main purpose to be at any beach, especially when its the one with the warmest and clearest waters on the island!

I spent many hours floating in those clear, warm waters that day.  I also walked the length of the beach and searched for beach glass with my friend who was more keen on lying in the sun than swimming for hours on end.  About an hour before sunset, we left the beach to get something to eat in Cheticamp and pay a quick visit to my sister who was visiting from Alberta and staying in a campervan at the local campground. We got back to the beach just in time for the evening show.

I, once again, stripped down to my bathing suit and entered those clear, warm waters.  The air was cooler by that time but the water was still warm.  The sun was quickly falling toward the horizon when I took my spot in the glowing strip that crossed from the horizon to the shore.  There's just something about being in the dark, vast ocean at sunset.  I can't think of anything more relaxing.  I floated in the calm water until that glowing red ball was no more and sky turned dark.  In the distance, I could hear the sound of bagpipes coming from somewhere above the beach. 

We made the long drive back to Jersey Cove via the Margaree Valley and Englishtown Ferry.  I dropped my friend off at her trailer and made the journey home alone.  I'm ok with that.  Late night drives with my music blaring and the sunroof open to the moon and stars above and the windows down to let in the warm night air are my kinda thing!

Summer trips to Inverness...These are the Days I Long for all Winter!

It's no secret that I love the ocean and I'm sure it's no secret that I also love swimming in the ocean.  The hot temperatures came early this year.  June was warm enough to go swimming but the jellyfish made an appearance around that time too and I don't swim when they're!  Fortunately, they had a short season and were gone just in time for me to start swimming a little earlier than normal.  Mid-July is usually when I find the water warm enough to enjoy longer dips but the water warmed to a comfortable temperature earlier this year. 

I only live about ten minutes away from Dominion Beach so that's where I spend most of my time but whenever I get the chance, I head to Inverness Beach.  It's a 2.5-hour drive to this long, sandy stretch on the northwestern coast of Cape Breton but the drive is worth it for the warm, clear water and spectacular sunsets. 

I made more trips to Inverness than usual this summer but still not as many as I would have liked.  That being said, I made the most of each trip by leaving early in the morning and spending as much time as possible enjoying the two things that draw me to this beach; the swimming and the sunsets. 

It's always my first stop of the day and my last.  After a late morning swim and long walk in the surf, I head further north to check out some of my other favorite beaches at Chimney Corner and Whale Cove.  Sometimes I stop at Plage St. Pierre on Cheticamp Island, usually I grab a coffee in Cheticamp and go for a scenic drive into the Cape Breton Highlands National Park and along the Cheticamp Back Road.  

Before heading back to Inverness, I grab something to eat at La Gabriel or Wabo's Pizza and eat on the boardwalk while watching the boats coming and going.  I always make sure to be back at Inverness Beach at least an hour before sunset.  I set up camp in the sand once again and head into those warm, clear waters to enjoy a final evening swim.  

The true magic happens just as the sun dips almost to the horizon and the last glowing rays sparkle in a strip leading from the surf to the great depths as far as the eye can see. As long as I stay in that glowing strip, I can still see straight to the bottom.  Sometimes a boat or lone paddleboarder will appear in the distance making that sparkling strip of light leading to the setting sun even more spectacular.  One evening, there was even a lone bagpiper playing high above the beach.

The air cools quickly and by the time the sun is gone and the sky darkens, I know it's time to get out of the water.  This is the hardest part of the day.  The water is warmer than the air at this time and I never know if it will be the last Inverness sunset swim of the season.  Reluctantly, I head to shore, dry off, change into dry clothes and make the long journey home.  

It's fall now but thoughts of days like this are what keep me going through the long, cold winter.  Let the countdown to summer begin!  

Finding Magic Cove

It wasn't too long ago that I found out there was yet another amazing hidden place on Cape Breton Island that I hadn't been too.  It amazes me how many secret places are still being discovered by me on this little island!  

This new place I'm talking about is Magic Cove near Inverness on the Northwest coast of Cape Breton.  When I saw pictures online last winter, I made a promise to myself that I would find this place in the summer.  I knew my car wouldn't make it there on the rugged backroads but I had a friend who was always up for an adventure.  When I mentioned it to her, she was all in.

Summer came and she didn't forget.  It was her who suggested one summer day in late July that we should this magical place everyone was now talking about.  

It took a while to figure out what road we had to take but once we got on the right track, we easily found it.  The road wasn't too bad, just a little bumpy and narrow in a few spots.  We had some trouble finding the trail to get down to the actual cove but eventually found it to the right of a field behind some trees.  

I was disappointed to discover that the trail was very steep and neither of us had proper footwear for such a rugged decline.  I was ok with that.  I knew how to find it now so I could come back anytime.  We could see the cove from the top and yes, it was as beautiful as it looked in photos. 

We returned to Inverness, grabbed some food and headed to the beach for the evening.  You'll hear no complaints from me when an Inverness Beach sunset is mentioned! 

I Finally Learned to Paddleboard

Ever since I first watched my sister paddleboarding on lakes in the Rocky Mountains of Alberta, I wanted to try it.  It was only this summer that I finally got that chance.  

I from many people that it was super hard but I knew I wouldn't find it as hard as most people who try it for the first time because I have experience surfing and kayaking. 

I wasn't ready to go out and buy a paddleboard without knowing if it was something I wanted to do or not so when I overheard some people at work talking about lessons at the Mira Provincial Park, I had to learn more. 

Long story short, I signed up for a lesson, headed out to Mira after work one fine evening in July, learned the basics before paddleboarding for an hour on the Mira River and fell in love!  With paddleboarding that is.  While I love surfing and kayaking, by the end of the summer, I realized that I actually like paddleboarding even more! 

I left work and drove to Mira almost every Thursday evening to hone my paddling skills. I surprised myself and was able to stand up on the board the very first night, but not for long.  By the end of the summer, I was an old pro, paddling out further and further each time and getting strong and more stable on the board.  On the last night, I stood up on the board the entire lesson!

Most evenings were calm on the water but there was one that stood out from the rest for being particularly windy and choppy.  I didn't have any difficulty paddling out but coming back was another story!  No matter how much I paddled, I just couldn't get the board to turn around to head back to shore.  I just kept drifting out toward the island.  The instructor yelled directions to me to try but nothing worked and eventually, I had to be towed in.  Let me tell you, I got quite the workout that evening!  I was exhausted when I got to shore but was glad to have gotten a lesson in what can happen when high winds come up!

I think it's pretty safe to say that I will be attending these lessons next summer too if they're offered.  Or maybe I will just go out and buy a board of my own!

Always Anticipating those Lazy Beach Days of Summer on Cape Breton Island

All through the long Cape Breton winter, I dream about summer and the days ahead when I'll be able to return to the sandy beaches that line the coastline of my little island paradise.  The countdown usually starts after Christmas when a few months have already passed since my last ocean dip and the realization that a long winter lies ahead sinks in.  6 more months.  5 more months.  4 more months....and so on.  I occupy myself with snowshoeing and indoor projects that are best done on days when it's too wintery outside to do anything else.  

Finally, the day arrives.  That day when the temperatures climb above 20 degrees, the water is at least a comfortable 16 or 17 degrees and the jellyfish have gone to wherever it is they go after they pollute the shorelines for a few weeks in June and July. For the next several months, every single day that I'm not working and it's nice enough to go to the beach, I'm there.  It could be Dominion, Inverness, Black Brook, Marble Mountain, Ingonish, North Bay...Where there's sand and warm, clear water, that's where you'll find me!

Because Dominion Beach is so close to my house, it's the beach I head to most often.  I bypass the crowds of families and college kids and head for the section further down the sandbar and set up for the afternoon.  Sometimes someone will join me.  Sometimes I relax with a book and my beachy playlist on my mini portable Bluetooth speaker between swims.  

If the water is calm and clear, I take out my mask and snorkel or I lie on my back and watch the clouds drift by overhead as the gentle swells lull me into a trance. 

It all goes by too quick.  Come late August, the lifeguards leave, the air cools and the crowds dwindle.  But the water stays warm until late September and sometimes into October.  I keep going to the beach as long as I can.  Sometimes, I'm the only person there.  

Sometimes, there are people walking on the beach looking at me like I'm crazy to be swimming so late in the season.  Often times, the water is warmer than the air and the people walking onshore in their hoodies and long pants assume the water must be as cold as the air.  Sometimes I don't want to get out of the water because the air is so cold but I tough it out for as long as I can.  The season is short and I want to get as much out of it as possible.

The water usually turns cold quite suddenly.  I'll head to the beach one day late in the season and walk into the water to discover that it's far too cold to stay in for more than a few minutes.  I'll tolerate this a few times before the combination of cold air and cold water is just too much and I exit the water one last time.  And the countdown begins once again.

My first Full Day in Beautiful Kananaskis Country

I awoke fairly early on that first morning in Kananaskis Country despite having not slept for so long in the days previously. We had some breakfast and retreated to the backyard where there were some benches, hammocks and a fire pit.  I couldn't believe how calm and quiet it was!  All I could hear was a light wind rustling the treetops, some birds chirping and a ground squirrel nibbling on an acorn. My sister kept complaining about how cold it was but to me, it was just right.  I just came from Atlantic Canada where the air was damp, heavy and chill to the bone.  The dry mountain air was a welcoming relief. 

That first day, we went for a hike to troll falls.  I am used to long hikes but after a day of traveling, this relatively short and easy hike was perfect for my first full day in The Rockies. The first leg of the trail snaked through some dense forest with towering trees and thick canopy to keep the hot sun out.  

It didn't take too long to reach the picturesque waterfall.  There were signs everywhere telling people to avoid certain areas due to erosion and rock slides but the area immediately behind the waterfall looked safe so I took my chances.  I wandered behind the falls while the cool water sprayed my face.  It was like the walk that takes you behind Niagara Falls, but without the dense crowds.  

We climbed up another steep part of the trail to reach another little waterfall called Marmot Falls. The climb down to the main part of the trail was easier then the climb up and when we reached the fork in the trail, we took a different way back to the parking lot.  This time, we passed through an open meadow on the edge of the forest. The views of the mountains bordering the area were spectacular. I am used to walking fast at home because I am usually walking to work or walking for exercise.  Here, there was no reason to walk fast.  I wasn't in a hurry to get anywhere.  I enjoyed the slow pace while just enjoying the views and the fresh mountain air. 

 

 

A Final Sunset Swim at Inverness Beach

Summer is usually a beautiful time of year in Cape Breton, weather-wise. However, the summer of 2023 was not so great in terms of the number of nice days there were.  I recently heard that it was the wettest summer on record.  I believe that; I'm sure it rained at least every second day and at times, it rained for days at a time! 

The swimming season was off to a late start and it wasn't until much later in the season that I finally made it to my favorite beach at Inverness and when I did make it there, I made sure to go back as much as possible.  I went three weekends in a row and each time I went, I thought it would be my last. The weekend at the end of the first week of September was my last beach trip to Inverness and it was perfect in every way I can think of. 

 You may be wondering why I love the beach in Inverness, Cape Breton so much.  Well, there are many reasons besides the fact that it's my favorite beach. It's sandy, It's long, the water is always quite warm, the scenery is nice and the sunsets are incredible. That's why when I plan a trip to Inverness Beach, I plan it strategically.  Everything has to be just right.  The temperatures need to be in the mid-20s at least, low winds to the south and low probability of rain or other adverse weather conditions. I always leave very early in the morning but the main goal is to always be on the beach right before sunset no matter what. That's the highlight of any day spent in this magical place. 

On that final day I had on Inverness Beach, it was calling for great weather and ideal conditions so I set out early and drove straight to that little town on the west side of Cape Breton Island.  It seemed strange that there were hardly any cars there when I arrived as I usually have to search for a while before finding a place to park.  I drove right to the edge where I could look out over the water and was even more surprised by what I saw there; Very high tide, rough water and lots of wind.  I was crushed.  I drove all that distance to be faced with the worse kind of conditions for swimming. 

I knew sometimes conditions changed later in the day at Inverness and because low tide would be that evening, I thought I had a chance at enjoying a sunset swim.  I left Inverness and drove to Cheticamp, had a coffee, sat on the boardwalk for a while and took a scenic drive along the back road at the foot of the mountains before driving back to the Margaree area and stopping at Chimney Corner. The water was nice and calm there and there weren't many people around.  At around 5:30, I drove back to Inverness. I was right!  The conditions had changed and by that time, it was a perfect evening for a swim in those warm, clear waters. 

 I set up my towel in my favorite spot and headed right for the water.  On the way, I met up with a friend who had the same idea. It's always nice to have company when swimming in the evening especially later in the summer when the rip currents seem to be prevalent. I tried not to think about the two tagged Great White sharks that were lurking just offshore from Inverness Beach.  One in 16 million chance, right? Nothing will keep me out of the water, not even the sharks!

There was a nice rolling wave that evening and the water was as it always is; clear right to the bottom.  I stayed in for about an hour, got out for a bit before sunset and than just before the sun went down, I entered the water one last time. I swam right into that spot where the last rays of the lowering sun come down over the water and swam into that beautiful sunset.  Nothing is more relaxing.  I could have stayed there forever just floating in that red strip of light on the clear, blue sea. 

I didn't want to leave because I knew it would likely be my last trip there for the year.  But I had a long drive home and I would be alone on that long highway through the Margaree Valley. It's days like this that I think about when the snow is falling and the days are cold.  Thoughts of sunsets, clear ocean water and warm breezes keep me going during those long winter days.

An Amazing Day at Point Michaud Beach

I love Point Michaud.  After all, it's a long, sandy beach in a remote area of beautiful Cape Breton Island and there's nothing I love more than a long, sandy beach all to myself. But, there is one thing I don't love about this beach in particular; the water is always cold!

When I go to Point Michaud Beach, it's to sit in the sand and watch the waves or to walk the many kilometers along its shore. The couple of times I tried to swim there, it was just way too cold.  Sure, many people do swim there but they are local people who are used to the cooler waters of the south coast and many times, they are wearing wetsuits. I'm used to the warm waters of Dominion Beach and Inverness Beach.  Point Michaud Beach is more suited to the surfers who come from all over to surf the ideal conditions the beach is known for.  Sometimes the waves get quite big. I don't surf.  I also don't even put my toes in the water at Point Michaud Beach.  

Than, one day I made a last-minute visit to Point Michaud.  I was camping down the road with my father and when we parted ways to head home, I stopped at the beach to see an old friend who happened to be there that day.  It was a warm sunny day, but I didn't have high hopes of going for a swim.  

"Did you bring your swimsuit?  The water is lovely!" was the greeting I received as my old friend embraced me in the parking lot.   I must have looked at her like she was crazy because she responded with "no really, the water is the warmest It's ever been!".  I had my doubts but I changed into my swimsuit anyway.  I sat on the beach in the warm sun, delaying my entry into what I expected to be chilly water.  When my friend's young granddaughter ran to the water's edge and walked nonchalantly into the water like it was nothing, I began to think that maybe my friend wasn't exaggerating about the water temperature after all.  

I walked to the water's edge and watched the little girls jump and dive and splash around. The water was so clear.  I'd never seen it so clear before!  I slipped my sandals off and dipped my toes in the water.  It felt very warm but I knew that wasn't enough to gauge how warm it would be further out.  I slowly entered the water inch by inch.  It didn't get colder.  Eventually I was up to my waist in warm water that is usually the norm for the other side of the island.  I ducked and surprisingly, it wasn't a shock because, lo and behold, the water was so warm!  

I stayed in that water for over an hour riding the gentle waves, watching the surfers riding waves on their boards nearby.  Even in water over my head, it was clear, I could see straight to the bottom.  It was almost like swimming in the Caribbean Sea.  I'd never seen such beautiful conditions at Point Michaud before and boy, was I glad I took my swimsuit along on that camping trip! When the clouds rolled in and the air cooled, the water stayed warm but I knew it was time to get out of the water and dry off before the rain came. 

The rain did come just as I was driving along the coast headed for home.  I made a little detour to St. Peters to grab a coffee for the road and made that long, scenic drive down Route 4 along the Bras d'Or Lakes.  I'll never assume that the water is always cold at Point Michaud again because I hope to have a repeat of that amazing day next summer and every summer after!

When it Comes to Land and Sea Life, There's Always Something to See Around Cape Breton

You just never know what you might see while out and about around Cape Breton Island, especially when it comes to wildlife....both on land and in the water!  Moose, fox, coyote, black bear, bobcat, lynx, whales, dolphins and hundreds of species of birds make their home on the land and in the waters around Cape Breton.  You'll see something every time you venture out, guaranteed!

There's so much wildlife around Cape Breton.  Take this giant Leatherback turtle I spotted a few years ago on a whale tour near Ingonish.  I'd never seen one before.  In fact, at that time, I didn't even know they were in the waters off Cape Breton.  I wasn't expecting to meet this guy but what a treat it was when he was spotted swimming right next to the boat!

The Ocean is Never Far Away in Cape Breton

No matter where you go in Cape Breton, you are always less than an hour's drive from the ocean!  It is, after all, a small island.  Whether it be a rocky shore, a sandy beach or high cliffs looking out over the Atlantic, the ocean is very much a part of the scenery here.

One of my favourite ocean views on Cape Breton Island located at Broad Cove Beach near Ingonish.

That Mysterious Glowing Water at River Ryan May not be so Mysterious Afterall

Nothing overly exciting ever happens in the small town where I live but when something does, word spreads fast and crowds quickly gather to be a part of whatever is happening.

These past two weeks, something strange has been happening in the water near the bridge in River Ryan, Nova Scotia, not far from where I live. I noticed a large crowd gathered in the area one evening on my way home but didn't bother to stop mainly because there wasn't really anywhere to park. Now keep in mind that this is a fairly remote area with a small population and crowds this large rarely gather. Something was happening and it wasn't until I got home that I found out what and even than, the explanation I was given was vague.

Apparently, someone had discovered that when rocks (or people as a few daring souls demonstrated) were thrown into the water or the water was disturbed in any way near the bridge, it turned a bright, glowing blue. Whoever made this discovery certainly didn't waste any time spreading the word because when I returned the next night to witness the phenomenon myself, there were even more cars than there were the night before! It took more than a half hour to push through the traffic on the bridge and a lineup of cars was backed up for about a mile. I managed to squeeze into a spot not too far away and made my way to the crowd gathered near the shore to see this glowing blue water for myself.

I have to admit, I was skeptical at first and thought the claims about the water were probably exaggerated but, lo and behold, with each rock that was tossed into the water, it turned a bright, glowing blue! Hundreds of people were tossing any rocks they could find into the water. By the time I left, there was hardly a rock left in the area and it became evident that I would have a problem when I returned the next night with my camera to try and document what had become the famous glowing water of Lingan Bay; a shortage of rocks. This problem was easily solved the next night when I decided to return; I recruited a small group of friends to help me fill the trunk of the car with rocks.

That third night, there were even more people crowded by the bridge than the two nights prior except, no one was throwing any rocks because there were none left. Fortunately, a light rain shower was leaving enough disturbance in the water to provide onlookers with a spectacular show which was made even more spectacular when the only people with large rocks arrived and tossed them into the bay. Unfortunately, my camera was unable to pick up the glow and I didn't get any pictures. I was, however, quite intrigued by the discussions people were having about the strange glow and what they thought it might be. I heard everything from an alien life form had taken up residence in the water, some meteorite dust leftover from the Perseids Meteor Shower that had occurred only a few nights before had fallen over the area and a radioactive substance possibly leftover from the Fukushima disaster had made its way here. I even heard some people claim that local businesses might have thrown something in the water to draw people to the area. I found some of these attempts at explaining it quite comical because I had a hunch from the start what it most likely was.

Although not all that common here, from time to time, microscopic organisms called Phytoplankton get trapped in shallow waters and cause the water to take on a glowing appearance. Its a common occurrence in more southern places where the waters are warmer. I read about it before and it seemed like the most likely explanation for what was happening in the waters at River Ryan. Maybe it's happening due to the abnormally warm summer we are having or maybe it was happening all along and no one ever noticed it until now. Whatever the reason, crowds gather at the little bridge every night to witness it. In fact, so many people gather there that it actually occurred to me that I might make quite a profit if I set up a table and sold rocks for people to throw in since they are now a rare commodity.

As simple as the explanation may be and the fact that it is most likely nothing paranormal or astronomical, the experience was worth it. Its not every day that I get to see things like this and I didn't have to go all the way to the Caribbean to see it. If you plan on making a trip to River Ryan to witness this strange glowing water for yourself, I suggest you go sooner than later as I suspect it will be gone as quickly as it appeared. But make sure you bring your own rocks because you will be hard-pressed to find any anywhere near the bridge unless you don't mind diving in to get some!

https://www.google.ca/search?q=pictures+of+blue+water+phytoplankton\&hl=en&prmd=imvns&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=npk6UNg-gvvKAYePgPgL&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAQ&biw=1366&bih=605#hl=en&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=glowing+water+phytoplankton&oq=glowing+water+phytoplankton&gs_l=img.3...15790.23650.2.23820.44.32.4.0.0.18.1712.8731.0j15j3j2j1j0j1j2j1.25.0...0.0...1c.0ROyCKHbgdM&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.&fp=2cb6422dc7c6fba6&biw=1366&bih=605