Would you smell this for me?
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| This was the -.01 low tide on Englewood Beach today about 10am |
I have always loved low tide. I even love the smell. (Just so we are on the same page - I am talking about low tide not red tide.) To me that first whiff of salty, muddy, sea-weedy air brings back memories of going cast-netting with my Dad & brothers on Dunedin Causeway. Low tide smells like my PawPaw who was a bridge tender on Clearwater Pass in the 60's & 70's.
Whenever I would return home from a road trip, I knew I was getting close as that salty smell blew through the car as I would cross over Tampa bay on the causeway.
| My Grandpa was the bridge tender on the old Sand Key Bridge on Clearwater Beach. |
Some women read gardening or fashion magazines - I read tide charts. It's the first thing I look at when I read the paper. I even have a tide chart app on my iPod. Couple that low tide with a full or new moon and BAM! Emeril! - we just took it up a notch.
What a sheller lives for are those -minus tides. Today was a -.01 which is good but I hit a -.05 back in August that was a shelling bonanza. It was a new moon also and an entire little cove was uncovered for my nieces and I to pick through.
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| Tide so low Casey could walk across the inlet but watch out for Rays. She stepped on 2 that day but thankfully no stings. |
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| This is a -.05 low tide with a new moon - only about 12 lows a year like this. |
JAR UPDATE
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| My jar is almost 1/2 full |
Shelling is a passion and the ones that get up a dawn should get the best spoils. If I ever get back to Sanibel I remember the "heads up light" that we have in the house for emergencies.
ReplyDeleteVery funny. Extreme shelling for sure. I need to brush up on my skills before I go shelling with you! OR - bette yet, I should bring a little note book to take notes since I think I am gonna learn alot!!!
ReplyDeleteWow, this is really interesting... I also love the smell of low tide and it evokes many memories for me too. That smell should be bottled. You lucky thing, a night shelling trip with your bestie sounds fabulous. Thank you for visiting my blog and for your gorgeous comment. I loved it and it's really made me think you're right. We are human "beings" not human "doings"... Pruxxx
ReplyDeleteI haven't smelt that smell in so many years, but I still remember it ;) So tell me why I have had you and Kimmy mixed up on your blog LOL age maybe..NOT
ReplyDeleteI first became aware of the smell of sea-salt air when I flew into Tampa. It was life-changing! I LOVE the smell and every time we return to Florida and I smell that salty sea air, I know I'm home. :)
ReplyDeleteYou really are a veteran beachcomber!!!!! I'm stunned by all your energy and passion for picking through the shells.