For many, the word “beach” elicits a serene location where stress is
gently lapped away by gentle waves. But experiencing the legendary
California surf spot Ghost Trees calls to mind something altogether
different.
The first thing you’re likely to notice about this place are the
gnarled cypress trees standing watch over the misty coastline. Their
gray skeletal silhouettes are weathered from an endless assault of sea
spray and stiff winds.
These otherworldly trees, some living and some dead, stand scattered
amongst the rocks and boulders that line the shore. The jagged stones
are just a small portion of the raw and rugged terrain that continues on
into the depths of the sea. Below the surface of the water, a shallow
reef quickly gives way to a deep submarine canyon, and the interplay
between these formations is what gives rise to the legendary waves that
break near the shore.
When conditions are just right, the water moves with unfathomable
force and speed. Swells that have traveled from thousands of miles
transform into massive mountains of water towering 60 feet or more
before violently colliding with the rocks at the shore. The impact sends
plumes of water high into the air, and each crashing wave creates as
much a physical sensation as it does a sound – a deep, thunderous boom
that resonates in your chest.
For a time, the most skillful and daring surfers from around the
world would travel to the area in hopes of riding the giant waves, and
legends were born from their successes and failures alike.
Local
authorities closed the area to surfers several years ago, and these days
it's quite rare to see a board in the water. Yet the massive waves
continue just as they had before – completely indifferent to humanity.
This haunting landmark encapsulates the terrifying power and
extraordinary beauty of the ocean. Our fragrance seeks to pay homage to
the remarkable place known as Ghost Trees.