Overnight: Shi Shi Beach

What This Place Means to Me

On three occasions, I have made a small pilgrimage to Shi Shi Beach in the remote northwest corner of Washington state. Over the last ten years, it has grown into one of my favorite places in the state. Its sheer beauty alone is enough to steal my heart, but it is the experiences tied to this place that mean much more to me.

On my first visit, my roommate and I desperately needed an escape from the city. Armed with cameras and the hope we might capture a gorgeous sunset, we headed west. For hours, we snaked our way around the peninsula. Parked, we slogged through a muddy trail. Then we stepped out onto the beach as the sun began meeting the ocean. With ferocity, shutters opened and closed. We did not have time for creative angles. Time solely focused us on capturing the indescribable beauty before us. Distracted, we lost track of time. As the sunlight retreated, we bolted back to my car. Thick mud and a pitch-black forest made for a trail that was twice as complicated. Covered in mud, we triumphantly arrived back at my car.

On my second visit, the Supreme Court granted marriage equality to gay and lesbian couples nationwide. Sitting in a coffee shop in Pioneer Square in downtown Seattle, I penned a heartfelt essay, outing myself to the world. With as much bravery as I could muster, I posted the essay on my website. As the…