Almost Forgot.... Had My 1st Shark

[RiverOtter]

Encounter and no............... dagummit I don't have pics. Much like the dolphin encounter the camera was in the beach bag.

Ok heres the story. I and the OldestLittleOtter (AlphaGeek) were building a sand fort, got hot and waded into the gulf to cool off. I was walking pretty fast to get thru the seaweed which was thick for about 10 yards off shore. Then I headed to the clear blue water which was only about 25 yards off shore. I look up at a very clear wave building on the sandbar and there it is coming at me ridding the wave not 20 feet from me. Actually coming from the west so headed towards me at an angle. I told AG theres a shark go back in so he did.

I looked to the east and saw a mom (I'm guessing) and her daughter kicking out over the sandbar on a raft which is where the shark was headed. (BTW the shark was 2.5 to 3 feet long and looked to be a black tip but kinda had the head of a bullshark)

I didn't want to yell SHARK!!!! and cause a huge ruckus but I felt I had to warn the mom and 5 maybe 6 yr old. So I started walking towards her and tried to get her attention by saying "Maam" and waving my arms. She didn't hear me. Then I notice her and the little one kick their feet and jerk around and start looking. Then my heart stated to race so I plowed through the water and got close enough so they heard and saw me.

I said "I think you should go sit on the beach for a while"

She didn't even hesitate. She started back towards me (and the beach) and said "did you see something?"

I said "yes, Like a dolphin ridding the waves"

She said "but it wasn't a dolphin"

I said "no maam it wasn't"

Then the little girl said "why are we turning around?"

Gotta give the mom credit here....

She said "lets go play in the sand for a while"

........... whew

I was then relating the story to GB and the LittleestOtter and a lady who had been ridding that big chair float said the "baby shark" (and it was small) had been there all week around 3pm and had bumped her yesterday. She said she got out of the water post haste

About 30 minutes went by and I couldn't stand it. I picked up my camera and headded out. Of course the camera was the best anti shark insurance there is. No freakin shark

Later, maybe 15 or 20 more minutes went buy and a couple was snorkling out past the sandbar. I notice they were carring their gear and walking with great haste towards the beach. As they got close the guy said "that shark bumped me" .

Noone got hurt but wow! I am not kidding when I say that shark was 20 feet or less from me ridding that wave. Had I had my camera on it would have made the papers

P.S. I didn't bother proofing the spelling or grammer. So feel free to rip all that but the story is real

[Miss Kitty]

Our heRO!!!!

[Johnrudy]

Man oh man. Great story!

[Ocean Lover]

Our heRO!!!!

[RiverOtter]

Our heRO!!!!

Not sure about that but maybe if I had my camera

[iwishiwasthere]

What an adventure!!! Glad no one was hurt!

[steele mama]

You're getting better with the spelling AND grammar!

[RiverOtter]

You're getting better with the spelling AND grammar!

I do what I can

[peapod1980]

RO, reminds me of the lady who gave us our warning the day we saw a shark at Camp Helen. She used all sign language so as not to alarm my kids. She got out of her chair, walked down the beach to where we were in the water, got my attention, took her hand and made a fin on her head, then showed the length with her hands, pointed in the direction, all without a word until I asked a couple of questions. Classic.

[RiverOtter]

RO, reminds me of the lady who gave us our warning the day we saw a shark at Camp Helen. She used all sign language so as not to alarm my kids. She got out of her chair, walked down the beach to where we were in the water, got my attention, took her hand and made a fin on her head, then showed the length with her hands, pointed in the direction, all without a word until I asked a couple of questions. Classic.

are you sure she wasn't listening to Buffett on her Ipod

[Miss Kitty]

You're getting better with the spelling AND grammar!

...this is a classic steelemama!!! heRO must be hanging out with the little otters alot this summer.

[RiverOtter]

...this is a classic steelemama!!! heRO must be hanging out with the little otters alot this summer.

ya.... thats real freakin funny
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[audie]

wow that was long.

[Beachbummett]

i didn't know ro could type that much! i told y'all they ride the waves in real fast like!

[Mermaid]

are you sure she wasn't listening to Buffett on her Ipod

You're such a wise cracker, RO.

[peapod1980]

You're such a wise cracker, RO.

Ha. His jokes are weaker than his grammar and spelling!
(Love ya, RO. Hate Buffett, sorry.)

[Biff]

[Bob]

shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhark!

[kathydwells]

What a story. How kind of you RO!!!

Now, I have to tell you that when I first saw this thread and opened it and saw how long it was. I thought to myself "Self, this is going to be so funn editing". However, I was pleasantly surprised with your penmanship RO. You did a very good job.

[RiverOtter]

Ha. His jokes are weaker than his grammar and spelling!
(Love ya, RO. Hate Buffett, sorry.)

That is sacrelige woman

shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhark!

Uh.... thankfully it was nowhere near that big. But I did have a much clearer view

What a story. How kind of you RO!!!

Now, I have to tell you that when I first saw this thread and opened it and saw how long it was. I thought to myself "Self, this is going to be so funn editing". However, I was pleasantly surprised with your penmanship RO. You did a very good job.

Even a blind squirrel, eh?

[NoHall]

However, I was pleasantly surprised with your penmanship RO. You did a very good job...

Wha-ha-ha! How's this penmanship?

[Miss Kitty]

Wha-ha-ha! How's this penmanship?

typemanship????

[NoHall]

typemanship????

I don't care as long as you keep me in your siggy line. I feel so important.

[STL Don]

The shark was probably the same one I told you about earlier in the week--I guess there was good fishing in that area.
I was trying to get through the sea weed yesterday and looked down and saw what I think was a portuguese man-of-war--I then boogied for the nearest pool.

[RiverOtter]

The shark was probably the same one I told you about earlier in the week--I guess there was good fishing in that area.
I was trying to get through the sea weed yesterday and looked down and saw what I think was a portuguese man-of-war--I then boogied for the nearest pool.

I've only seen one man-of-war ever. I do know a lady that got zapped by one. She ended up in the hospital. Those things are bad news.

[peapod1980]

I've only seen one man-of-war ever. I do know a lady that got zapped by one. She ended up in the hospital. Those things are bad news.

Ha. They don't stand a chance against jdarg.

[Jdarg]

Ha. They don't stand a chance against jdarg.

Yes, I am a Man O' War murderer. But only when a dozen or so kids want to touch it, play with it, poke sticks at it, etc. They are kid magnets because they are so cool looking, but I didn't have my Man'OWar sling shot handy to zing it out past the second sand bar.

Back to RO's shark. Yes, I remember my first...shark.

[DD]

Great story, RO! I think we mighta seen one too, but I don't wear glasses, so it coulda been a dolphin. Not enough of a story to mention....your story is great and Kitty's right--you are a HeRO.

[Miss Kitty]

Yes, I am a Man O' War murderer. But only when a dozen or so kids want to touch it, play with it, poke sticks at it, etc. They are kid magnets because they are so cool looking, but I didn't have my Man'OWar sling shot handy to zing it out past the second sand bar.

Back to RO's shark. Yes, I remember my first...shark.

...oh, I have been waiting for this post!!!! Where's the smilie smoking a ciggy????

[Uncle Timmy]

Whenever I kayak in the Gulf in the morning I almost always see at least one 3' bullshark up near the shore.

I guess the extra height of being in the 'boat' makes 'em easier to spot. Either way, I think they are always there.

Sometimes, when I am feeling particularily energetic - I will chase them. Not sure why I enjoy this, it must be some sort of Queequeg Syndrome. The need to chase after aquatic animals.

[peapod1980]

Sometimes, when I am feeling particularily energetic - I will chase them. Not sure why I enjoy this, it must be some sort of Queequeg Syndrome. The need to chase after aquatic animals.

Queequeg, death wish. Potato, potahto.

[Uncle Timmy]

Queequeg, death wish. Potato, potahto.

Actually, Ahab Syndrome is the death wish. That would be chasing the sharks outside of the kayak.

I'm disturbed, clearly, but not suicidal.

[Miss Kitty]

Actually, Ahab Syndrome is the death wish. That would be chasing the sharks outside of the kayak.

I'm disturbed, clearly, but not suicidal.

...Hi Timmy, I could be your new BFF!!!!

[RiverOtter]

Actually, Ahab Syndrome is the death wish. That would be chasing the sharks outside of the kayak.

I'm disturbed, clearly, but not suicidal.

If I was in a boat I'd chase em

[Uncle Timmy]

If I was in a boat I'd chase em

It's fun, you should try it sometimes. They get real skerd and zip away if you get too close!!!

Shark Chasing, a new Sowal pasttime?

[RiverOtter]

It's fun, you should try it sometimes. They get real skerd and zip away if you get too close!!!

Shark Chasing, a new Sowal pasttime?

I'd rather be chasing them.
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RiverOtter<------------ shark chaser

[peapod1980]

Actually, Ahab Syndrome is the death wish. That would be chasing the sharks outside of the kayak.

I'm disturbed, clearly, but not suicidal.

Whatever you are, Uncle T, I like it.

[Teresa]

Whatever you are, Uncle T, I like it.

he's a bat turd. didn't ya know that??? everybody knows that!

[Landlocked]

If I was in a boat I'd chase em

poo poo in the kayak time

[RiverOtter]

RiverOtter<---- Not a big shark chaser

poo poo in the kayak time

[peapod1980]

poo poo in the kayak time

LL!!!

[Cheering472]

LL does more drive by posting than anyone.

[Landlocked]

LL does more drive by posting than anyone.

I know. I hate it but I'm always on the run! Which is a good thing for the most part.

[kathydwells]

I know. I hate it but I'm always on the run! Which is a good thing for the most part.

[Cheering472]

I know. I hate it but I'm always on the run! Which is a good thing for the most part.

Come back when you can

[Teresa]

hey LL! here's to cleaning out the ole kayak!

[Uncle Timmy]

he's a bat turd. didn't ya know that??? everybody knows that!

I'm GUANO?

[peapod1980]

I'm GUANO?

I gua-no, are you?

[Uncle Timmy]

I gua-no, are you?

After I read dee book, den I'm guano................

[Uncle Timmy]

RiverOtter<---- Not a big shark chaser

Oh come now, everybody knows you just bop 'em on the snout......

big shark, big snout, really big bop.