Closing in on the end. With 2 days off before my last 2 shifts and feeling a bit of island fever, I had to get to the mainland. I don't really like being surrounded by water, unless I can be immersed in the liquid, not just look at it.
So I went to Forks, WA. Fellow PA-S and blogger is rotating there, and assured me that there would be room on the floor for me to sleep. Outside of town, at the end of the road, is La Push, Home of the Quilete Indians and a consistent wave (and rain and cold and supposedly lots of sharks).
Tuesday afternoon conditions were nice. Calm, glassy, small waves. As I paddled out, 3 guys got out and left. Solo session in an unknown locale.
After a few hours, I drove into town to watch JW play softball. He is playing for "Clean and Free" a local AA team. (No, not AA, like "double A" farm team). They played well against Subway's team. At one point, JW did a head first slide into second base, exposing both his base running prowess and his "sensitive parts" to the crowd (and the gravelly dirt). Despite the efforts, they lost (by a lot). Suprisingly, Jake was the only one wearing a Clean & Free jersey in the bar afterwards where we shared a pitcher of beer.
Wednesday early morning session at La Push was rainy and cold, but provided fun waves. And again, solo. After an hour or so, another surfer paddled out. He said he was suprised to see me out here alone, and that he would never paddle out solo. And while, as a professional courtesy, the name of the specific fish goes unmentioned while our legs dangle below our surfboards, it is assumed that the reason that people don't come out here alone is that......they actually aren't alone. Many "landlords" occupy this area. A sea lion pokes his head out of the water and stares at me from about 20 feet away. A few fish jump here and there. The other surfer catches a wave to the beach and walks back to his car. The rain pounds on my wetsuit. My legs dangle in the dark water. My heart beats. The sea lion poke his head back up, curious to see what I am going to do. I catch the next wave in. I was ready to get out anyway, I tell myself.
Awesome Fall
8 years ago
You lost me with the "lots of sharks" comment!! Be safe out there and tame a bit of that adventurous spirit would ya!!
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