In my expert opinion, the Pacific Ocean in California has second coldest water on earth. I have spent time on their shores, my friends, and I waded in all the way up to my ankles, whereupon my feet instantly turned a deep azure blue. Somewhere in this house is a photo of me standing frozen on the beach, gripping my camera to my chest as if dying to keep it's measly plastic body warm instead.
The rest of the California coastline was beautiful and some parts of it were absolutely spectacular. We went to LA on that trip, and then headed as far south as Laguna Beach and as far North as Santa Barbara. I have always wanted to go back and explore the rest of the state. I'll never forget the water temperature, however.
I made a mental note.
It's Canada's Lake Erie, in September, that has the coldest water on earth.
That's where I tried to learn to water ski on a trip to see my hub's family. I was so cold while treading water, waiting for them to bring the boat around that I began to shiver uncontrollably. I was born in Miami and my veins run through with that thin, Florida style, warm ocean temperature blood.
It took a long time for them to bring the boat around. Rick's Uncle wanted to show him a giant boulder in the distance that used to be deep underwater and was now, in fact, protruding OUT of the water!
Can we do sightseeing some other time???
By the time they stopped talking about the damm boulder and brought the boat around again, I wasn't sure I could get up. My fingers had long since stopped responding to any normal brain signals. My lips had turned blue and my jaw chattered endlessly. I made it up a few feet here, a few feet there before I finally cracked from the pressure of the Arctic winds and shattered into a thousand pieces of frozen body glass.
Later on, my hub skied all over the lake as if his blood was made of 100% Canadian Ice Water.
HE was born in Ontario.
Another place that I didn't learn to water ski was in the warmer waters of Lake Santa Fe in North Fla.
I naively believed that alligators "wouldn't swim that far out to the middle of the lake." I was mad at Rick that day over something I've since forgotten about, so I "let" him do most of the skiing. When we passed the "floating logs," I would smile and wave goodbye. Not understanding, he would wave back and give me a thumbs up. I am horribly evil when I get mad at him.
Another time, I tried water skiing at a smaller lake located on some land that we owned. It only took one gator to slide into the water as I went tumbling by when I gave up. I set a world record for going airborne as I swam freestyle to get to the boat.
Thus, I only say yes to Gator Free water skiing - which is why I haven't skied in a longggg time. That, and the fact that my butt doesn't seem to levitate properly while on water ski's. Last I checked, my butt wasn't that big. I don't know why it won't get its own ass up and out the water.
Wake boarding was fun, I finally mastered that one. When you get a good run going and don't fall off, it's a real trip. It's also easier to stay on the board if you suddenly see a fin surface behind you. Turned out there wasn't a fin after all, but the idiots on the boat thought it was funny to point behind me and holler that that there was one.
Now tell me, my friends, have you ever mastered something you thought you never would be able to in the first place?
You're funny, Laura. Glad you saved your ass.
I just took up juggling. Did you know old people can't juggle?
Posted by: Old Horsetail Snake | August 03, 2006 at 11:43 AM
Heeheehee ... love the image of you levitating into the boat with the vision of a gator behind you!
I guess I look at most things and think "I could do that." Arrogant, I know. Often, I get proven completely wrong, but sometimes I'm right. But that means I get cheated out of the feeling you describe, the feeling of triumph that comes with mastering something you never thought you could. I'm just naive enough to believe anything is possible.
It's a nice lil fantasy. I think I'll keep it.
Oh, and Lake Erie? September? Pfft. It's as warm as a crowded children's wading pool at high noon on the hottest day of the year when the canteen has been passing out free Koolaid all morning, compared to the Eastern Coast of Nova Scotia.
I jumped into that water, turned to my wife, and she said "Since when do you have three Adam's Apples?"
Posted by: Nils | August 03, 2006 at 12:26 PM
One August I was dragged around a lake in Oregon - near Crater Lake - coldest water - including the Pacific Ocean that you speak of - I've EVER been in. I could feel your pain when I read your post, in fact my lip quivered a bit! I didn't learn to ski until they put me in some nice, warm river water and then...ahhhh...what a joy that waterskiing is, eh?
Posted by: Sara Sue | August 03, 2006 at 02:06 PM
I blindly and naively went into the water of the coast of Vancouver Island (near Tofino on the Pacific side) after watching a bunch of folks frolic in the water for a while. I was already into my waist before the brain finally told me I was walking through liquid ice - WTF??? Fortunately I was able to make it to the hot tub and pruned there for a loooooong time. I still have Fla. blood!
Posted by: Seamus | August 03, 2006 at 02:13 PM
Never done any skiing.
I don't like to get into water more than ankle deep if I can't see what might be coming after me...I mastered my weight...for a little while...Lost 68 lb...it is trying to come back to me and I keep telling it to go away...dang albatross!!!
:-D
Posted by: Tammy~Kentucky Gal | August 03, 2006 at 02:19 PM
I have never tried to ski. See, I knew already that my butt wouldn't get out of the water...LOL
I mastered the art of zip lines in Costa Rica, while trying not to barf and lose my shoes. It turned out to be fun (after the first one) and I didn't want to stop!!
Posted by: kenju | August 03, 2006 at 04:43 PM
Husbandhood
Fatherhood.
Just those two.
I thought I could do everything else.
Posted by: FloridaCracker | August 03, 2006 at 09:52 PM
I love the banner! So you really are partial to Labs. Thanks for stopping by and I like your spot of the world here too!
I haven't been water skiing in so long I could only imagine the injuries. (I don't know if I could even get up anymore!)
Posted by: Deana | August 03, 2006 at 10:06 PM
When I really was going out frequently, I was starting to get pretty good, doing some little jumps and taking some chances. I haven't been out in about a year though. I want to get back out there! But biking doesn't involve gators.
Posted by: InterstellarLass | August 03, 2006 at 11:13 PM
Waterskiing looks like awesome fun but hard work and I don't think I'd have the patience for it really...
You're pretty brave to be waterskiing around gators though!
michele sent me today.
Posted by: Yaeli | August 04, 2006 at 08:08 AM
I can do some figures on a graphing calculator and earned a B in Intermediate Algebra at the community college last summer.
For my 5th try at college, I finally got some letters to write after my name. Last Spring, I walked across a stage and was handed an Associate of Arts degree in Education.
Although I haven't been on skis in 30 years, getting my butt out of the water came more easily than a 25 page research paper from my brain and typing skills.
Posted by: MrsDoF | August 04, 2006 at 05:09 PM
Amen & Congrats, MrsDof!
Posted by: Sara Sue | August 04, 2006 at 07:19 PM
Thank You, Sara Sue!
I grew up in a town along the Ohio River. The water was fun until the Pike Island Dam was built a few miles upstream. The channel changed, and traffic got a different schedule.
These days, my sister's family takes their boat out to the lake at a state park.
Maybe I'll go out on the water next time I visit.
Posted by: MrsDoF | August 04, 2006 at 11:28 PM
Diane, that IS impressive! I remember reading about your classes on your blog. Sometimes it was a struggle to get through them but you toughed it out each time. Way to Go!!!
Posted by: Laura | August 05, 2006 at 10:31 PM