Another true story. Come surfing with me once again...
I frequently see a pelican flying nearby. As often as not, I'm in a euphoric mood -- Hey, I'm out surfing! -- So I call out to the pelican and say "Good morning, Creature of God!"
One morning I was riding a nice clean left at Torrey Pines. Suddenly I saw a pelican flight headed straight toward me, skimming along the face of the wave from the opposite direction!
When the pelicans finally saw me, they pulled up and peeled off in all directions, much like the Blue Angels stunt flying team executing an aerobatic maneuver.
On another evening at Torrey Pines I was delighted to see four dolphins embedded in a wave, backlit by the setting sun.
In case you are unaware of this, dolphins are surfers. They ride a pressure layer inside and just below the surface of a breaking wave.
Once when my friend Robert and I were surfing at Torrey Pines, a dolphin leapt over his back.
Another time, the dolphins were showing me how to paddle out. I would ride a wave in, and so would they.
But then, while I was struggling to paddle back through the incoming surf, as if to say "This is how it’s done", the dolphins headed back out by simply leaping over the incoming waves!
I have surfed with harbor seals.
I have watched a barnacled whale swim by at Terramar.
I have had my ankle pierced by a stingray, something I hope never to repeat!
Getting nailed by that stingray reminded me of this verse of Scripture:
"The sting of death is sin." - I Corinthians 15:56a
From now on, when I am tempted to sin, I hope I'll remember that stingray!
It's Here! Come Ride My Beautiful Magic Carpet
The First Wave
Eternity: A Mind-Numbingly Powerful Perspective
Making The Drop (A Poem of Sorts)
The Ocean; God's Finest Invention?
Paddling Out -- The Story
Colorful Art from a Personal Perspective; Introducing "Paddling Out"
The Humorous Truth; Willpower and Cold Water
Why Do Jerks Seem To Get the Best Waves?
Red Tide at Night
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