It’s funny how things get started. You read about something interesting. You reach out, someone reaches back. They’re positive, make some suggestions. You think some more, and there it is. Something that you’ve started.

Siel wrote about Sara Bayles’ 365-day trash collection at Ocean Park in Santa Monica, CA (www.thedailyoceanblogspot.com) on her blog, www.greenlagirl. I emailed Sara and she invited me to join her. I’d made a new friend. Sadly, I had to tell Sara I’m on the East Coast. Then I thought I could join Sara in my own way. I’m going to Newport, Rhode Island in a few weeks. I could do a beach cleanup on vacation. I could visit a different beach each day, collect trash for 20 minutes and write about what I find and what I see.

I went to Visit Rhode Island (www.visitrhodeisland.com ) and chose six beaches, and contacted SurfRider Rhode Island (www.risurfrider.org) about the idea. They were supportive, suggested a beach to add to the list and offered to provide bags, gloves and drinking water – very generous !

Sara told me where to buy a cheap scale for weighing trash and suggested used plastic bags to collect beach trash. She wants to inspire others through her actions; she has. I appreciate her continued support. And with her help and the help of SurfRider RI, I’m ready to clean some beaches.

10-2-09 Addendum

I thought with my beaches selected, and my scale, bags and gloves in a sack that was it. But, Sara was interviewed by the Santa Monica Daily Press, and I ended up being part of the article too. Front page, weekend edition and two mentions of SurfRider Rhode Island. It was fun to connect with Sara and share the excitement of a newspaper mention.

Yesterday I arrived in Newport and checked in with Dave Prescott of SurfRider Rhode Island. Dave mentioned he’d heard from the head of SurfRider DC. She’d seen the Santa Monica Daily Press article and since I’m from the DC area was asking about the Newport County Beaches project. Very glad to hear about her interest and I’ll keep her updated. So, with those surprises I head out to my first beaches.