Low tide was about an hour ago, and the path around the rocks is clear. I take a deep breath, put on my rubber boots, and head down the embankment to the shore. It’s a beautiful day for rockhounding.

“Here the beginnings of the Coast Range back right to town, and yet the foothills rarely see a snow event capable of even a sled run. So I started asking, ‘What about up there, at Marys Peak?’”