Never a Normal Day...When You're Me

Capn' Tim cooked us another great breakfast this morning while Massey and I watched TV in the comfy bed upstairs with a pillow top mattress. We greased up, loaded up the car and headed to the beach. It was once again a beautiful sunny day. We stayed til after one and Tim decided to go back to the condo for lunch. Massey and I decided to stay for one more dip in the ocean. We waded out about thigh high (we're sissies in the ocean) and noticed a woman talking to the lifeguard. All the lifeguards went into alert mode immediately. The one in the chair had out his binoculars and the rescue truck drove down to the shoreline with another guard searching with binoculars as well. Once they spotted the woman yet another lifeguard grabbed a surfboard and ran toward the water. He was beyond the breakers in less than thirty seconds. He disappeared behind the swell line and we finally saw him throw up a hand and wave. The jet ski had already been unloaded by the fire rescue squad and sat at the shoreline. Once given the signal they launched the jet ski but it got stuck on a sand bar. At least six people ran out and helped push the jet ski off, with another lifeguard hanging onto the back.

The lifeguard on the surfboard had the woman up on his board and as soon as the jet ski got there they put a life vest on her and headed back to shore. When they hit the sandbar at least five lifeguards helped carry her back to shore. They transferred her to a rescue vehicle and drove her to a waiting ambulance on the road...doing CPR the entire time.

Massey and I walked back to the condo for lunch. After lunch we walked back down to the beach to load up and drive the car back. Sitting on the side of the road was a local news crew and we stopped to ask how the woman was? The young girl said she was critical and asked if we had witnessed it? After saying yes, she got out of the car with a microphone and asked for an interview. I looked at Massey and she looked at me.

It's not like I looked good, who does after four hours on the beach? We agreed  and it was just a thirty second interview.

When it first started I thought it was a child missing but seeing the woman calmly talking with the lifeguard led me to think otherwise. If MY child was missing they would have already had to restrain me. After watching you could see that she was simply an observant woman on the beach who thought someone was too far out and may possibly need help.

We learned from another news crew later when we walked back to the beach again that the elderly woman was in critical condition. She had gone out into the ocean with a friend but her friend came back to shore. Her friend lost track of time and didn't miss her until some woman went to the life guard stand worried about someone being so far out for so long. It was a ways down the beach from the lifeguard stand and it took several minutes for him to find her with his binoculars. I don't want you to think the guards are lax. Massey and I are on the beach every morning when they arrive. They drag their heavy stand from the top of the beach to the water front (no small feat) and we see them doing push ups on the sand, often swim laps in the Atlantic and are always aware. Once alerted,  I was very impressed with their professionalism and quick response.

I kept thinking about how easily that could have been Tim. We always go out together but Massey and I always come back in first and leave him out there while we bury our noses in our books back on the beach. Massey and I made a pact on the spot..."We all go out together and all come back together."

We came down here on a shoe string but at least we are all going back home. I hope this woman gets to go home too.

We learned a lesson today about what a mighty beast mother nature can be. We learned to NEVER ignore the warning flags (they are there for  reason) and once again learned that we are indeed very lucky people.

It's been an awesome trip. Massey and I have spent every waking moment together and laughed ourselves silly. We've spent little money but taken tons of pictures and made countless memories. My vacation could have ended up like the woman's on the beach today but by the Grace of God it hasn't.

Once again I am realizing how very very lucky I am.

Three more days of paradise...

Til next time COTTON