Birch Bay Visit: An ANCOP Outing

Long holiday weekends give folks an opportunity to unwind and to enjoy some time off. They allow people to escape the rigors of everyday life and to relish a little bit of what the Lord's creation has to offer. On one such holiday, the servants of ANCOP organized a long-awaited overnight outing. Victoria Day found the troop delighting in on the mud flats of Birch Bay in Washington State amidst a balmy afternoon.

One of the highlights of the picnic was the dig for shellfish. More than anything else it was the thrill of the search that fueled the activity; it was in knowing that the prize was just at the end of the shovel or at the bottom of a shallow pit. Being able to reconnect to an era of simplicity and restraint when humankind were hunters, gatherers and fishers foraging the land and the sea for food, was in a sense therapeutic.

Earthmovers on the tidal flats

On the onset of low tide the group set-off about 150 meters from the shore and selected a general location. They then clustered into three distinct 'dig' parties as illustrated in the photos that follow.

The Bong Group

The Chito Group

And the Sherwin Group who is already hard at work.

What ensued next were smiles, fun and laughter.

Ecstatic over their first catch most especially Marie.

Paparazzi in action

With an analytical stare, Caine intently looks on as he studies the moves of Uncle Chito.

Dirty hands but soul-enhancing

Feet can get ruined but not the sandals please

With their captain taking a break, work continues for these ladies.

Caine wonders how he got his hands dirty.

Pure enjoyment for Cayden

With their boss back at work, the rest of the gang act like meerkats on the lookout.

No caption could fit this image of you my dear, my one and only.

The Ruiz Family in action

Time for the group shots

You'd think that was our cue to call it quits? Apparently not. There was so much amusement we just had to indulge some more.

And the digging lingered

They look so serious I wonder what they were thinking about.

Chito C points to the rising tide slowly creeping back in.

More, some more...

Chito M offers a seaweed he collected to add into the mix, as Bong wonders what has gotten into Chito.

Group photos the day after

All things must come to an end, even the good ones. Thank you to everyone who joined us. There were a lot of parts during the days (and night) that were not photographed by yours truly but they were capably snapped by Marj and the rest of the paparazzi (no one walks around without a camera these days). For all the genuine fun and laughter, the delicious picnic food and the endearing revelations, thanks a million.