![Tide pool in San Clemente](http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8051/8429948029_943163aaf5.jpg)
I've spent my whole life along the Pacific Rim. I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, lived in Oregon, South Korea, Los Angeles and now San Diego, so I'm used to living near the ocean. But man, I forget how incredibly beautiful it is, and the myriad of treasures it holds.
![Tide pool in San Clemente](http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8233/8431032056_6f8d5f9460.jpg)
I've never seen seaweed dry to such a vibrant acid green color.
![Tide pool in San Clemente](http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8378/8429946257_eca3b4e0b6.jpg)
This week, I spent a few hours at this beach in San Clemente, with its glorious tide pool.
![Tide pool in San Clemente](http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8327/8429948319_f16d5a81c5.jpg)
![Tide pool in San Clemente](http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8092/8431031408_267440e4c0.jpg)
My bag to gather shells and rocks and stuff.
![Tide pool in San Clemente](http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8194/8429948083_eac6b47547.jpg)
I've never ever seen so many mussels! They almost look like monarch butterflies, in this photo.
![Tide pool in San Clemente](http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8098/8429948709_22abd4f12a.jpg)
![Tide pool in San Clemente](http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8071/8431034358_d666bcca9e.jpg)
Beautiful green sea anemones.
![Tide pool in San Clemente](http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8081/8429948003_134b93f868.jpg)
![Tide pool in San Clemente](http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8214/8429947603_1774bf2b2d.jpg)
![Tide pool in San Clemente](http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8514/8431032382_a3c9d89a75.jpg)
and OMG, starfish! I've never ever seen these in person. They were huge!
![Tide pool in San Clemente](http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8336/8431032788_ebc3c16035.jpg)
![Tide pool in San Clemente](http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8046/8431032990_5b6ae938c5.jpg)
Ah, what a fabulous afternoon. I'll be drawing some of the shells and rock in my sketchbook soon.