What's Your Number...

Got your attention, didn't I.

Well, I am not talking about 'that' number. 

I am talking about your Great American Read number.

Please Note!

The following opinions are MINE and MINE alone.

I don't mean to insult anyone.

But if I do, you'll get over it...

my stack on the deck under a palm tree. one of my favorite places to read.
note, there is also mint which is pretty tasty in many summer beverages to be had while reading...

For me, this is the start of my Official Summer Reading List.

In grade school my list consisted of Scholastic Summer Weekly Reader and whatever books I could find at the library. I read alot but the only book titles I can remember are The Boxcar Children and The Bread and Butter Indian.

We tried reading The Boxcar Children to our kids. Turns out there were a whole lot of beatings I didn't remember when I read that book....

In middle and high school, the library still figured prominently but my reading was influenced more and more by popular movies, school assignments and friends.

Until I discovered Hemingway and Nancy Mitford.

After that I exclusively read The Sun Also Rises and Love in a Cold Climate/In Pursuit of Love every summer until John Irving entered the picture.

Those weren't the only books but they were always in my stack of to be read at some point.

Thankfully, Rob is also an avid reader and it wasn't difficult to keep that spirit alive in our children. We spent many a Wednesday and Saturday morning at Mrs. Clark's story hour at the public library, followed by an hour of checkout at the desk for the twenty five pounds of books they managed to pick.

And now PBS is getting in on the fun.

Through a national survey, the fine people at Public Broadcasting have compiled a list of 100 favorite books. The list can be found at The Great American Read.

There is a companion program on PBS which speaks to each book on the list, why individuals – in their own words – chose the books they did. There are author interviews and interesting facts surrounding different books.

And, you can vote for your favorite with the winning book to be announced later this summer.

Not being one to miss a chance to feel dumb, I read through the book list only to find that I have only read 25. Thankfully The Sun Also Rises is on the list.

I did not count it 17 times. Even though I have read it at least that many.

I did start an additional 8 on the list, only to never finish them as they were either too dumb or too smart for my taste. (I am a middle of the road reader. I don't want to be preached at – 100 Years of Solitude guy, but I also don't want to spend my precious reading time wishing I could hunt down the author and asking them how they got such ridiculous work published – Left Behind, series dudes...)

Breaking down the list even more, I have seen 15 movie adaptations of the 25 books which I have read – I only counted The Great Gatsby once even though I have read it nearly as many times as Hemingway's work and seen the Robert Redford/Mia Farrow version of the movie about as many times as I have read the book. There are an additional 5 movies for books which I have not read, and never will – Hunger Games chick.

I really wanted to count Hatchet on my read list as the kids both read it for school and then had Rob read it to them repeatedly which forced me to hear about the poor kid who's plane crashes in Canada and ends up eating nearly as much trout as Hemingway's characters catch in every book he has ever written.

I also wanted to count The Book Thief, which was our daughter's first favorite book of her young adult life; a book which took her to the Jewish Book Festival where she met the author and had her copy signed. But, I have yet to actually read it. Sounds way to sad. Too sad is also a reason I won't read a book.

Two of our son's favs made the list – The Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy – which is on my Not Read but Saw the Movie list, and Game of Thrones series – which is on my Have Not Read, and Won't Watch the Series list. (Sorry George RR Martin, I tried but there was way too much gore and not enough dragons for my taste.)

We were discussing the list at breakfast and Rob also suggested counting out the Books I Read as Graphic Novels (or comic books as they were known when we were younger) but not as Actual Books but that just seemed silly.

My summer reading list does not reflect the Nation.

Currently I am reading The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George. It is a sweet book about love and loss but not in that 'ooooo, I am suh intellectual' and more in the 'now where did I leave my glass of wine and my baguette' way.

Which is perfect for summer reading.

Summer books should never require too much thinking. Rather, they should transport you to a place or time far removed from anything you have every experienced. Winter books can be a little heavier in subject. Turns out I have a lot of rules for what I will and won't read. Starting with IT MUST BE AN ACTUAL BOOK and not that e-reader nonsense. If I am going to read a book on a computer then I am going to play Home Design instead.

The other books on my list include:

The Little French Bistro, also by Nina George

(although I don't like reading books by the same author, one after the other)

Provence, 1970 by Luke Barr

(because a teacher Rob worked with loaned it to him after hearing about my love of cooking)

Basket Case by Carl Hiaasen

(because he is the best for summer reading and one of the few who I WILL read one after the other)

Henry and June by Anais Nin

(because I have never read any of her work, but I did see the movie...))

The Fermata by Nicholson Baker

(because I mentioned I wanted to read a 'sexy' story but not in that gross 50 shades way)

and of course,

The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway

(Why would I want to re-read a book I have read so many times? Because there is something in the story which really speaks to me. Plus, after reading A Dangerous Summer which is the actual account of what is fictionalized in The Sun Also Rises, it seems the thing to do.)

Have you made a summer reading list?

Did you check out the 100?

What's your number?

And, as an aftermath of the April A to Z blogging challenge, I am now part of the Road Trip, in which participants are asked to visit as many other blogs as you can. I hope to hit at least a couple a week.

Here are a couple of blogs for you to check out:

http://buttontapper.com – for some interesting and funny on-line dating stories

https://debbiemanberkupfer.wordpress.com – and find a darling new children's book

And of course, don't forget to check out the folks on the No, You've Really Got to Read this... sidebar!

I have also been notified that the EU has a new policy regarding 'cookies' and privacy. Blogger, my hosting site has added a comment about cookies for those of you who are reading outside the US. If you see it, please let me know. 

I am unable to see the comment here. However, I will continue to maintain my stand on cookies as stated below and will maintain everyone's privacy to the best of my ability. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Reflecting,,,A to Z

Today is Reflection Day.

As part of the A to Z challenge, we are to post reflections of our experience.

Writing is a bizarre process.

Some things just demand to be written.

Others refuse to let loose of the space they are hiding in and must be pried loose like a dried out wine cork.

I first learned of the A to Z challenge two years ago after reading another writer's post. The idea sounded fun so I followed along unofficially. Last year I started the challenge but didn't make it to the end.

Too many of those metaphorically stuck wine corks.

In March, it occurred to me that the challenge would be starting soon and perhaps joining in would be just the thing to get me back in the habit of writing consistently. Writing had dwindled for me over the previous year to the point where I wondered if I really wanted to continue.

But, the thought of giving up Coast of Illinois made me unreasonably sad.

And, since April is such a transitional month – one day winter, the next, summer, then back to a drizzly autumnal feel, joining the A to Z Challenge seemed the thing to do. 

I chose to use sailing as my topic. It was a little bit of a challenge, finding posts for some of those 'unusual' letters but ultimately having that topic really helped me to organize my thoughts and on days when I didn't feel like writing I had a kick start place from which to begin. As usual, I didn't prep ahead. Well, that's not true. I had three whole posts written and ready before April 1. Once April 3 rolled around I was pretty much barely keeping up. 

Rob really helped keep me focused and me, being me, was motivated to not disappoint that mystery reader who is hanging on my every word. 

As best I can tell, the folks who run this show do it out of the kindness of their hearts. There is no fee to join. There are no monetary rewards for finishing. There is an awesome T-shirt for sale, which I will model once mine arrives. All that is asked is that if you post then in return you should read some of your fellow participants works.

This brings me to one of my favorite aspects of the writing community.

It is just that.

A community.

The A to Z folks posted an encouraging blog daily through the month. Fellow writers stopped by and left encouraging comments. The closer the end was, the more enthusiastic the 'you've got this' chant became.

And in the end, I did finish the challenge and came away with a feeling of accomplishment that I haven't felt in a very long time.

So to that end, I would like to send out a very heartfelt THANK YOU to all the folks over at the Blogging A to Z Challenge! You brought me back to feeling a part of a wonderful community of writers. Dorothy Parker had her round table. Hemingway had his ex-pats. We have this wide world of internets. I have been a part of other on-line writing groups and while they have dissolved over time, I have been left with some wonderful writing friends. I hope to maintain some of these relationships kindled here. 

Which brings me to my next appreciation speech.

Don't start that orchestra music just yet...

I would also like to say Congratulations, Great Job and THANK YOU to the following writers. They consistently visited Coast of Illinois and left wonderful comments and I, in turn, tried to always make a stop at their sites.

D.B. McNichol - DB approached the challenge with a word-picture association which produced a series of wonderful flash fiction stories. She also maintains a blog about her Doods-two rather large poodley looking dogs...https://dbmcnicol.blogspot.com/

Iain Kelly - Iain wrote an alphabetically fueled fictional series inspired by England's decision to leave the EU. They were insightful, informative and entertaining. I look forward to seeing where Iain's writing takes us next. https://iainkellywriting.com/

Leanne - I have followed Leanne's work for a while now through Women of Midlife, where I found her Cresting the Hill blog. She filled the challenge with an A to Zen of life coaching questions that were sometimes fun, sometimes difficult but always informative. https://www.crestingthehill.com.au

Alana - Another of my Midlife writers, she did a fun, informative series on Florida outside the theme parks. Her quirky, rambling blog is such fun and it is well reflected in her A to Z challenges. ramblinwitham.blogspot.com

Please, take a moment to stop by these folks pages.

Each one has a different approach and goal to their writing which reveals a wonderful talent. There were many others who either stopped by here or I visited, but these four made a strong impression on my. As have the other writers listed on the sidebar. 

And while I am thanking folks...

THANK YOU to all who have been reading Coast of Illinois, whether you were here at the beginning of Start Seeing Hairnets or just happened over for the sailing posts, your stops and clicks and comments mean the world to me.

Me. Reflecting...

Come on back later this week for 'Bottom Job' - it's not just a stripper move...

And if you are a nurse, know someone who is, please take the time to check out my It's a Living tab. This is National Nurse's Week and I have several posts there which reflect my 34 year experience on the business end of a bedpan. 

Catching those ZZZZZZzzzzz's

I have determined what is wrong with society today.

It's the King Sized bed.

We recently spent a weekend working on the fixer-upper, which is still on boat jacks in the yard waiting for its turn to be plopped back in the lake. (More on the weekend later this week!) Because we can't sleep on the boat while it is on the jacks, we spent the night at a local hotel.

The room was nice, nothing fancy but clean and had a king size bed. I spent half the night wondering if Rob was actually in bed. It took four rolls to steal the blanket.

This is just not right.

All marriage needs compromise and there is no compromise in a king size bed. There is no need.

We sleep on a queen bed at home. It is just large enough to allow for personal space but still small enough to smack the other person with a dream-fulled arm swing.

When we do sleep on the boat we have the option of the V-berth and the camper style table.

Actual size....almost....

The V-berth is exactly as it sounds. A berth shaped like a V. If you sleep with your heads in the V – you spend the night knocking around like coconuts. If you sleep with your feet in the V then you wake up periodically to untangle the knot your legs get tied in.

And don't even get me started with putting one head in the V and one set of feet in the V. 

I am pretty sure that is illegal in most of the lower 48.

We padded this with a comforter and sleeping bags.
I am in the process of making a cushion.

The camper-style table is better. The bench seats and additional flat surface allows for complete stretching. There is still danger of a midnight knee jab but if you opt for individual sleeping bags rather than actual bed linens, well, you can be sure the jabber is cocooned safely away from your lower back. Although personally I feel as if I am wrapped in a coffin when I try to sleep in a sleeping bag, so, sorry Rob.

Yet, even with these discomforts, there is nothing better than sleeping on the boat.

The dark sky and brilliant stars reflecting on the water combined with the random bits of music from distant radios invite reminiscing.

The cozy warmth of reading by the light of a lantern in the cabin relaxes every muscle and quiets every ridiculous worry racing through the brain.

The gentle rocking of the water lulls you into a hypnotizing sleep.

early morning is so peaceful

And when you wake in the morning and step up on deck with a fresh cup of coffee you are greeted by silent still water and bright fresh air...

Mostly because it is only 5am and you fell asleep at 8pm because you were exhausted from a day on the boat, a delicious dinner, an extra glass of wine and at least one jolt awake in the middle of the night wondering if that giant steel pole known as the mast would double as a lightening rod in the event of a pop-up thunderstorm...

And that is why I would put on a boat, every couple who recites like a grocery list those random complaints about their relationship. That one night on a boat would force discussion, listening and compromise.

At the end of the night there would be the shared experience of a night on a boat...or possibly a murder charge....

But either way, problem solved.

And just in case there is question over whether using 'Zzzzzz' counts as a Z word, I give you this:

Hemingway did not see this coming....

Zombies on a Rowboat.

Do not EVER spend the night with Zombies on a Rowboat.... 

This is my FINAL entry in the A to Z challenge for 2018!! I can't believe I actually did it this year! Thank you to Rob - without your encouragement and slight nagging, I would never have finished this year. And a great big THANKS to everyone who has taken the time to read this little blog. It makes me feel so happy when something I have written brightens someone else's day.

And finally THANK YOU to the folks at the A to Z Challenge. Your daily letter related rally posts were perfect and the time you take to manage this yearly event does not go unnoticed. It has reignited my enjoyment of writing daily and inspired me to continue posting on a regular basis, albeit not daily...or alphabetically...

                                            

A-Ahoy

B-Bells

C-Catamaran

D-Dramamine

E-Escape

F-Flags

G-Galley

H-Head to Heel

I-IC24

J-Jib/Jibe

K-Keys

L-Lakes

M-Motor

N-Navigation

O-Ocean

P-Points of Sail

Q-Quote

R-Reef

S-Sailbags

T-Trade Winds

U-Underwater

V-Volume

W-Weather Eye

X-Marks the Spot

Y-Yardarm

Z-Catching Some...

It's always Over the Yardarm Somewhere...

Well, the sun is over the yardarm....

Which, in nautical speech means it's around 11am and time for a drink...

the sun is NOT over the yardarm here. the sun was about 4 hours from being over the yardarm.
and it was stormy...

Okay.

Actually, it's 8:47pm.

If I were to actually have a 'drink' at 11am I would be napping by 11:30am.

I need to finish up a load of laundry and pack as we are heading down to paint the hull of the fixer-upper. In pirate days that was called 'careening' – where they intentionally beached the boat, letting the surf knock the boat over and scrape it over the sand, knocking the barnacles off it.

We are just planning to scrub, sand then paint.

So the it's going to have to be much later than 11am round these parts..

But back to that yardarm.

The yardarm is the very end of a horizontal spur which holds a square sail in shape. The phrase 'the sun is over the yardarm' is believed to have originated in the north Atlantic where the sun would pass over the yardarm around 11am. And 11am coincided with the forenoon 'stand easy' when the officers of a sailing vessel would go below for the first drink of the day.

Running a ship is thirsty work.

this ain't no water purifying rum. this is some super fancy rum given as a gift.
its good to have pirate friends

Why rum?

Well, there was a lot of sailing around the Caribbean where rum was manufactured. And, there was always a liquor ration on board long distance ships. This was more of a necessity than a luxury. Water was difficult to transport as it tended to become infected with bacteria. Rum and other alcohols were added in small amounts to kill the bacteria.

On Navy vessels the rum ration was managed. Pirate ships were more democratic and consequently the rations were more of a suggestion.

And if you have ever had rum in the Caribbean, then you know how this ends...

Rum is the Reason, pirates never ruled the world...or got the next to last A to Z challenge post done!

This has been the next to last A to Z challenge post!! For more entries click here:

 a-to-zchallenge.com

A-Ahoy

B-Bells

C-Catamaran

D-Dramamine

E-Escape

F-Flags

G-Galley

H-Head to Heel

I-IC24

J-Jib/Jibe

K-Keys

L-Lakes

M-Motors

N-Navigation

O-Oceans

P-Points of Sail

Q-Quote

R-Reef

S-Sailbags

T-Trade Winds

U-Underwater

V-Volume

W-Weather Eye

X-X marks the Spot

X Marks the Spot

It seems like a no-brainer, writing about sailing and NOT mentioning pirates or pirate maps.

a tower from Jean Lafitte's fort on Tortoa

So...

Research shows that there are no existing pirate maps with an X on it.

Disappointing, I know.

But think about it.

Putting an X on a map marking your chest of gold doubloons is the modern day equivalent of pre-loading all your passwords into your money apps then leaving your phone lying around without a fingerprint unlock.

Yet, pirate bounty is real.

Thanks to a whole lot of bad weather, shallow water and some unscrupulous harbormasters who liked to move channel markers to enable the crashing of Spanish boats full of gold and jewels.

Apparently the Spanish enjoyed cruising around the Caribbean with their finiest finery on board...watching a show, having an endless buffet, taking short of boat excursions...

But, I digress.

X marking the spot on a treasure map has its history in the British Army, where soldiers would place a paper with a large black X over the heart of those to be executed.

Efficient, but not very romantic.

We have Robert Louis Stevenson to thank for the romance. It was in his book Treasure Island that the Pirate map with a large X became the dream of kids and adults alike.

And Mr. Stevenson had great inspiration.

'Treasure Island'

In 1750 the Spanish vessel Nuestra Senora de Gudalupe took shelter from a storm in North Carolina. The crew mutinied and stole the treasure of 55 chests of silver. Some of the treasure was taken to St. Croix. The rest was taken to Norman Island in the BVI.

Residents of Tortola got wind of the loot and made for the island, just a short 5 nautical mile row from Road Town.

The Lt Govenor got wind of this, as Lt Governor's do, and made a deal granting 1/3 of the treasure to the citizens for its return.

Most was foolishly returned.

But not all...

In 1915, a fisherman from Tortola took shelter in a cove on the West coast of the island. All through the night his little boat was bashed into the walls of the cave. The next morning he awoke to discover many large rocks in his boat and on the wall of the cave a chest full of doubloons...

No actual documentation of this find exists. No legal 'treasure trove' was ever filed.

But, shortly after this storm the fisherman and his family quit fishing, moved to St. Thomas and opened up several small shops.

Presumably to accomadate all those Spanish cruisers...

Now, here's the great part.

Norman Island does exhist.

It is part of the chain of islands in the British Virgin Island chain.

Norman is not inhabited, except by several goats. It does boast two restaurants as well as a replica schooner in the cove which serves adult beverages and is known for is piratey tradition of jumping topless from its top deck.

Pirates Bight

Pirates Bight and the Club are right on the beach.

Not very safe from pirates but easily accessed by hungry snorkelers.

Our snorkling expidition stopped there for lunch.

Which was delicious – Roti and Conch Fritters and a Painkiller.

Roti - a yummy meat and veggie pie

conch fritters and painkiller

And then the piracy happened.

Not knowing what the situation would be when we left our room, we decided Rob would leave the credit cards stowed and just take some cash.

Which was enough for our lunch, but not for a tip...

Thankfully, the 70 year old divers found it rather hysterical when I sweetly, laughingly suggested that they create a disturbance while Rob and I made a run for it.

Because you know,

Pirates!!

The plaque on Jean Lafitte's tower.

*Here are the links to both Pirates Bight and Willie T.

http://www.piratesbight.com/

http://willy-t.com/

(A 'bight' is an large indentaion in a coastline.)

*The nice 70 year old couple on our snorkeling trip were kind enough to lend us a couple bucks which we repaid to them at dinner that evening with a hearty thank-ee.

They offered their help anytime, and requested to let them know where we would traveling as we looked like trouble....

I have a feeling they will be placing a HUGE X on that spot...

This post is part of the A to Z Challenge. For more entries click here: a-to-zchallenge.com

Weather Eye? Yeah, right.

If you know even the tiniest bit about me, you know I am a weather junkie. I have been known to watch the weather channel like an award wining movie. And when the tornado sirens sound and everyone else seeks shelter in the basement or bathtub, I make a cup of coffee and go sit on the deck...

My husband blames the fact that I was born in Oklahoma...

I currently have TWO weather apps on my phone – the Weather Channel and NOAA weather which lets you track radar, rain, snow and any other weather maladies which might await. This handy dandy little app will also set off an alarm if you are under attack by rotating fronts and sheer force winds.

If only we had NOAA when on vacation.

It is always important to be aware of the weather when you are out on the water.

Especially when you are on the water in a non-motorized sailboat.

Or kayak.

Or a canoe with your husband's best friend. (There are no 'action' pics as I was afraid the camera would drown.)

Are you sensing a theme here?

I have been rained on nearly every trip I have taken.

And by 'rained on' I mean so soaking wet that the only dry area is under the life vest which is keeping me alive by keeping me warm.

Barely.

oh look, it might be stopping...

It rained the first twenty-four hours we were at Key Largo. But, that didn't stop us from kayaking the mangroves. The folks at Key Lime assured us there was no severe weather pending, only the constant rain.

They assured us once we were in the mangroves we wouldn't even notice the rain.

Probably because our travel-buddies' kayak was filling with water and we were trying to convince ourselves the slap we heard wasn't an alligator.

But, have you ever been in a mangrove forest in a rainstorm?

It is the most incredible experience.

Silence except for the gentle drop of rain and the chorus of wildlife answering.

Unbelievable.

nope.

We tried to study the weather before our first trip to the Caribbean. Everyday of the week we were to be there had those drippy clouds and lightening bolts on the app page.

We were tropical newbies.

Island Rain. A beautiful sight and a beautiful song by Mac McAnally.

It did rain nearly everyday we were there.

For about 10 or 15 minutes, at which point the rain would stop and a neon rainbow would appear.

Except for that one morning...

I woke to rain gently plinking our shutters.

I had my coffee on my lounge chair shoved under the protection of the eaves. The lizards also took shelter there. I think they were hoping for a piece of my Jamaican Meat Pie breakfast.

the lizards have given up

We have been caught on our various sailboats in various volumes of rain. Usually because the weather app and the actual clouds said 'maybe in might rain' and then decided once we were a little too far to make it back to shore that 'yes. It is going to rain'.

If there are lightening bolts on the app we don't go out.

You know that mast? It suddenly becomes the highest point when out in the middle of the lake. And those lightening bolts love highest points.

And because of that, it is always important to have a healthy respect for the potential for weather.

Pay attention to the clouds, the humidity, the weather apps.

Always keep lifevests well within reach and if there is any question, PUT THEM ON. They may be a little uncomfortable, but running a man overboard in the middle of a pop-up storm isn't the best either.

As they say: Keep a Weather Eye.

(FYI – one of the first times the term Keep a Weather Eye was used in literature was in Robert Louis Stevenson's book Treasure Island. Stay tuned tomorrow for more on that topic...)

This is part of the A to Z challenge. For more entries click here: a-to-zchallenge.com

A-Ahoy

B-Bells

C-Catamaran

D-Dramamine

E-Escape

F-Flags

G-Galley

H-Head to Heel

I - IC24

J-Jib/Jibe

K-Keys

L-Lakes

M-Motors

N-Navigation

O-Oceans

P-Points of Sail

Q-Quote

R-Reef

S-Sailbags

T-Trade Winds

U-Underwater

V-Volume

Shut down the Volume

Close your eyes.

Imagine the breeze beginning to blow.

The snap as the sail billows out and takes hold.

The boat to skim over the water and the only sound is the water as it gently splashes against the bow.

This was the most surprising aspect of sailing.

The quiet.

Its as if the sails form a protective barrier around the boat and its passengers. Allowing only the volume of nature's voice to pass through.

Thoughts quite as the brain listens to the wood and the sails and the wind, waiting for an invitation and then responding to all that the boat needs. 

Power boats may zoom past but their motors are muted drowned out by the flock of water birds who have ignored the silent advance of the sailboat until the vessel is directly upon them. They burst upward with a flourish of flapping wings, an imitation of the sail as it catches the wind and once again moves ahead.

Today, 'V' is for Volume.

Or more accurately, the lack there of.

No motor grinding.

No relentless slap of fiberglass to broken water.

No chatter of those internal voices reminding you of all that life brings.

The peaceful, restful absence of noise.

This has been part of the A to Z Challenge. For more entries click here: a-to-zchallenge.com

Underwater They can't hear you Scream either...

Underwater.

There are a wide variety of things in the water under a sailboat.

The keel – which helps stablize the boat.

The rudder – which helps steer the boat.

The ridiculously huge manatee who comes up to snort at you as you try to not crash the rental boat into the dock.

Before I continue, I must let you know, there are NO beautiful pictures of beautiful fish as I was too busy being simultaneously terrified and in awe.

A few years back, we took our 10 foot bathtub with a sail to Destin and piddled around in Destin harbor. We had many offers to 'help' get us back to shore, when we thought we were doing just fine.

We managed to avoid the gross of jellyfish along the shore where we put in, so we were feeling pretty smug.

Then the sea turtle showed up.

Rob noticed a shape under the water. We were hoping it was a dolphin.

Instead, a shell, the size of our boat, I swear!, came closer to the surface. His head popped up and snorted, decided we weren't some visiting turtle and took off.

In retrospect, a lot of sea life likes to snort at us.

Naturally, on our trip to Tortola, we knew we would snorkel. The sea is so clear. It was just inviting us to come in and maybe snort back at some of its inhabitants.

(This was a couple years before my ill-fated attempt at SCUBA.)

We caught the excursion boat from Fort Recovery with our borrowed snorkel equipment from the questionably clean storage trunk. The boat captain seemed less than confident in the motor on the powerboat, what with its sputtering and hesitation. Eventually the boat mangaged to cut through the beautiful blue water and we arrived at The Caves.

seriously. beautiful. as they say, #NoFilter. also, note the other boats in the picture.
They are not giving chase, only following to the Caves for some diving.

I should mention here that I am a decent swimmer. I am not afraid of the water, but carry a healthy respect. I have splashed around in the ocean before, generally along the shore. Our lake swimming was done off a dock. Occasionally with a life vest, if the goal was to just lazily float around. I had never swam with flippers and the only mask was a kiddie one borrowed from our kids.

One of  The Caves

So with much assistance, I managed to pull on my flippers, slip my mask over my eyes and place the snorkel in my mouth.

As I slid off the swim dock of the boat it occurred to me that I had NO life vest and was now past the point of stopping my decent into water reported to be MILLIONS OF FEET, or possibly twenty feet, deep.

It was so clear it was impossible to know for sure.

And here is where I learned a fundamental truth.

You can scream as loud as you want, but with a snorkel in your mouth, no one can here you.

Consequently, I exhaled in a variety of 'OH!!' 'HEY!''WOW!'

And then the pretties bright blue and yellow fish swam by....

I continued to yell – but now the Oooos and Aawwwws had an appropriate direction.

Later we powered over to The Indians, another formation jutting around 45 feet from the ocean floor. I was feeling pretty brave by now, until I swam close to one of these giant monoliths.

All I learned from earlier in the day went right out the snorkel tube.

The Indians. 

Once again I felt several screams coming on– directed at my husband, whose arm or maybe leg – I had grabbed onto.

We managed to snorkel several more times on the trip. 

Beware fish. I am not to be trifled with...

But rather than heading out on a boat, we waded out into the waters just off our beach at Fort Recovery where we were treated to a guided tour of sea life from Dominic.

Dominic, the 10 year old son of one of the resort workers, swam with no flippers, held his breath forever and could only get in the water if there was an adult around who knew he was there.

The large floating head is Rob. The smaller floating head is Dominic.

It was a win-win.

He pointed out the fire coral, which you should never touch. And tried to show Rob how to pick up a sea urchin, although that demo did not go as well as hoped.

This is really the best place for an urchin.

During our afternoons in the water we saw a wide variety of colorful fish, including a puffer fish whose bright blue eye looked more like a rock until he blinked at us. And that big 'leaf' on the sand floor was actually a pretty irritated sand shark who WAS sleeping but is now looking for a better nap spot.

Which leads me to that other fundamental truth.

ALWAYS reapply sunscreen to your back when your plan for the day is to float face down in beautiful blue water under a bright yellow Caribbean sun.

This has been part of the A to Z Challenge. For more entries click here: a-to-zchallenge.com

A-Ahoy

B-Bells

C-Catamaran

D-Dramamine

E-Escape

F-Flags

G-Galley

H-Head to Heel

I-IC24

J-Jib/Jibe

K-Keys

L-Lakes

M-Motor

N-Navigation

O-Oceans

P-Points of Sail

Q-Quote

R-Reef

S-Sailbags

T-Trade Winds