A personal story, for no particular reason: many years ago, I took a road trip to Morro Bay in Cali. Lots of fun. I borrowed my dad's old Pentax SLR and took photos all along the way. 1/

We were beachcombing one day & my traveling companion asked if they could take a shot of me sitting on one of the big rocks on the shore side of the North jetty next to Morro Rock.

(No, I didn't climb all over the jetty; no, I didn't get anywhere near the ocean side of it; that's risky & stupid, DON'T CLIMB ON THE SEA SIDE OF JETTIES, y'all.) 2/

It was a windy, partly sunny day in September & the waves were strong. I could hear them behind me as I sat on the rock & enjoyed the beach. All at once, I *felt* more than heard a massive WHUMP!! on the rocks behind me. I turned around and saw the top half of a wave coming OVER the jetty right at me. 3/

I still had my dad's camera on the strap around my neck/shoulders. The only thought that went through my mind was "OH FUCK, THE CAMERA" as I instinctively curled into a ball. I got soaking wet, but the camera was dry as a bone.

All this took place in the course of about half a second. 3/

@Impious_Jade what a rude surprise! It can get crazy out there near Morro Rock. The sound of falling rock has had me running away couple of times.

Have family there and visit as much as possible. Was there for a whole glorious year a few years ago.

Your instinct to cover the camera was a good one! 😃

@NorCalCherylLyn Yeah we were pretty conscious of the various dangers out there - watched & listened hard for falling bits of the big rock, & no WAY would either of us have ventured further onto the jetty than we did. Sometimes we'd see folks on the ocean side of the jetty & it was like, OMG WTF ARE YOU DOING WITH YOUR LIFE