Coast to Coast

Coast to Coast

by Marilyn A Wilson

A last visit to the ocean’s edge before heading south to Key West, found us along the shores in Ponte Vedra Beach seeing and feeling the remains of Hurricane Paloma as the waves churned out as far as I could see and sped to the sandy beach.  The walkers, runners, sunbathers, and puppy dogs were caught off-guard and with little time to dash to higher ground before the heaving waves roared ashore, rushing quickly up the sloping embankment soaking new tennis shoes, perfect paws, and beach bags.  Just as quickly Mother Ocean recoiled only to ready for the next angry bout with the pleasure-seekers – our cue to leave her alone and visit another day when the distant storm was only a memory and she had shaken all remnants of the angry storm from her body.

Our coastal journey led us South where we followed the Emotion of the Ocean traveling along the stretch of highway perched nearly level with the aqua blue waters of the Florida Keys.  Like fingertips in the air, the choppy whitecaps seemed to move us quickly and gently over the surface of the water – more like a boat than a car.  Here, the ocean greets its guests, not roaring and challenging, but welcoming, peaceful, and eager.  It is  as if she knows this southernmost point will offer serenity and relaxation to our road-weary bodies.  How can it not, when each day our eyes settle on the horizon, where her lovely waters meet; and, we enjoy the sun as it rises from her bed in the mornings and the sunsets that she tucks in each evening at dusk.

Not wanting to leave, yet curious to see the waters the Gulf Coast waters, we headed north and then west to Sanibel.  The gulf’s waters clearly were free from Paloma and greeted us playfully with their generous bundles of seashells, shark’s teeth, and beach sand damp from the receding tide.  While the chilly waters kept us on shore, we quickly learned the Sanibel Slouch and gathered assorted shells so different from the east coast selection.  These shells provided the memories in pinks, purples and pristine white!  They will also serve as a souvenir and friendly offering to the stirred up waters in Ponte Vedra.

I will offer them to her roaring and unhappy waters – Perhaps her mood will change! Mine Did.