Running on civilization's circular tracks

It’s interesting how a train of thought can develop.

For instance, nearing the end of our 12-mile round trip hike along the Dungeness Spit north of Sequim last Saturday, we noticed a sea lion swimming towards us. He or she may not have noticed us standing in the grayish, post-sunset twilight along the shoreline because it was definitely swimming with the purpose of making landfall.

Once the animal noticed us, it pulled up, went into a holding pattern and followed us, maybe out of curiosity, as we walked further along the beach, hoping our appearing to exit the area might lead to the sea lion c...