RANCHO SAN ONOFRE FINALLY HAS THE ALBATROSS REMOVED

that hung from it's neck. Rancho San Onofre is back in it's natural

element. The beach is deep, layered with unblemished sand,

the water a true aquamarine color, sand crabs scurried over

it's damp tidal sand, sandpipers in hot pursuit. High tide raked

the sea pebbles, hissing, back to the berm, gray pelicans

glided in an upcurrant from a fast moving comber, visibility

was unlimited, you could reach out and touch San Clemente

Island, clouds were wispy, moving silently through the sky.

Life at the Rancho was pleasant, wildlife flourished starfish,

bright orange and plump, shells buried in wet moss, colorful

rocks, glistening lavenders, sea sponges enveloped in sea

grass. Tom Blake, Sufing Sam Reid, and the Duke must have

encompassed the beauty of the Rancho. Then it happened.

TUBESTEAK/ENVIROMENTALIST