Friday, August 12, 2011

Zuma



Chauncey was always the first to spot the dolphins.  There were several of them moving slowly southwards just beyond the waves.  A surfer sat on his board watching as they passed by a few feet in front of him.

Chauncey and Eleanor arrived at Zuma around 11AM and had to set up at lifeguard station #12 because lifeguard station #9, their favorite, was too crowded.  It was foggy and cold.  Eleanor suggested playing smashball to warm up. 

They set up at station #12.
Chauncey was deeply involved in reading a novel when Eleanor put on her wet suit and went in the ocean.  This was the first time in several years that Eleanor had worn her wet suit in August.  She felt a little silly as she looked around and noticed all the younger swimmers, mostly teenage boys, in bathing suits.  The water temperature was 58 degrees.  It felt good to be warm.

The waves were big and powerful.  Swellwatch, a website with information on surf conditions, warned that there was some tropical storm activity in Baja which was causing some unusually high waves.  Eleanor was alarmed when she was hit in the knee by a rock while walking back into the water after a wave pushed her halfway up the beach on her boogie board.  Later, Chauncey reminded her that there are no rocks at station #9.

The water is clean and healing.
Eleanor thought about the reasons she loved going to Zuma.  The beach is wide and long.  Even when it’s crowded, there is always a spot.  The water is clean and healing, despite the occasional rock.  Eleanor and Chauncey return from Zuma relaxed, their muscles loosened by the waves.

As they were leaving, Eleanor and Chauncey heard three, middle-aged men singing a Crosby Stills Nash song as they walked along the boardwalk down the beach.  They sounded like the originals, almost.  Another gift from Zuma.

No comments:

Post a Comment