A Recent day at the Gulf - v1.5

A partially true story of a day at a South Texas beach

Another Day on the Gulf

Last week I spent half a day swimming off the South Texas coast. It’s not far away and I go often April through November. I’m usually toes in the sand between 9 and 9:30 in the morning, gone around 1pm, no crowds.

My routine is to pick up a breakfast burrito and a very grande coffee before walking the last block to the water.

It's the start of my 5th summer here and the seagulls on that beach have always been fairly polite. While eating I watch them as they keep an eye on my food and maneuver for position. A burrito or two later, when my belly is full and I’m feeling really satisfied I throw out the last bites. It’s fun to watch so many fight over so little. That isn't sadistic, right? right?.

Last week the gulls were different. Very aggressive. Not in the least polite. I managed to eat about 2 thirds of my only burrito before they organized. A few gulls distracted me at eye level as one flew in from the left, another from the right, each stealing a good bit of egg and potato. A third came out of nowhere and yanked the rest out my hand. The little delinquent flew away with a piece of my tortilla hanging from it’s beak. Not polite and absolutely no etiquette. I was not happy. I was hungry. They didn't seem to care at all that I was bigger and presumably smarter. No respect.

I'm getting up there in years and don't move even as well as 10 years ago but I can still swim pretty well. Most days when I get in the water I feel like I'm just 10 years old.

I shrugged off the thieving seagulls and went for the first swim of the day. Can’t explain how good that always feels, especially early in the season. This day the surf was moderate and I easily made my way out past the breakers then floated, flipped, rolled and swam while letting the current carry me north along the beach.

Maybe 30 minutes later I was back on the sand a ways up the beach.

A young couple, maybe mid-twenties, came up.

He greeted me with, “Looked like you were having good time out there!”.

“I love it. No sense in letting the kids have all the fun!”.

She smiles, “Ha! How far did you swim?”.

“Don’t know, the current carries you but at least twice as far as that tall hotel.”.

She starts introducing the two of them, “We’re from Washington State. We’ve been to Southern California to swim in the Pacific but this is our first trip to Texas and the Gulf of America!”.

“How do ya like it so far?" and then, "Uh, ...Gulf of AMERICA?”.

She replies, “I like that the area isn’t built up like Southern Cal. The warm water, the atmosphere and the people are the best. Yea, you know this is the Gulf of AMERICA now?”.

I read the news and know what she's talking about.

I say, “I really like it too and this is the Gulf of MEXICO. There’s a long history you know.”.

The young gentleman backs his girlfriend up, “It’s been the Gulf of AMERICA for awhile now.”.

I think I can teach this likeable young couple something before they start having kids. Let's approach it rationally.

I present my case, “OK, so if this ISN’T the Gulf of MEXICO, that means they must have put the Gulf of MEXICO somewhere else, right? It used to be right here and now its not, it's too big to just disappear, so where did it go?

The boyfriend looks out over the water, “Where did what go?”.

I remind him, “Gulf of MEXICO.” and continue my case, "Also, where did this Gulf of AMERICA come from? It must have been somewhere before it was here, I've never heard of it before, so if this is the Gulf of AMERICA, where did it come from?".

His girlfriend states the facts, “The Gulf of MEXICO did go anywhere and the Gulf of AMERICA didn't come from anywhere else.".

I WIN! “Yep, there you go! So, this is the Gulf of MEXICO, it didn't go anywhere, it's right here where it’s always has been. Tell me about this Gulf of AMERICA.”.

They look at me like young people do thinking anyone that wrinkled must be losing it.

She’s tells her boyfriend, "I'll explain...”.

Then turns to me, "You know, nothing was moved, they just changed the name. OK?".

I feign a confusion, "Changed what name?".

She feigns concern, "Do you need to sit down? Do they usually let you out alone?”.

I'm back on topic and having fun, “I’m good, tell me about the Gulf of AMERICA. Good place to visit?”.

Another wave pushed over our ankles.

She steps up her game, “So, you're right, the Gulf of MEXICO was here, but not anymore, maybe it went out with the tide.”.

Now that train of thought makes about as much sense as anything else, “Could be, but then where did the Gulf of AMERICA come from?”.

She grins, “It was here, you just can't see it until the tide goes out.”.

I grin back, "Oh, I've got it now. Gulf of MEXICO went out with the tide, this is the Gulf of AMERICA until the tide comes back in. You guys should hang 'till it comes back. You’ll love the Gulf of MEXICO.”.

Now we have it all figured out.

I take advantage of a teachable moment, “You know, if you call a something a different something, it’s still the thing it was, right?”

All three of us in unison, “GULF OF MEXICO!!”

I’m so glad I could help.

We talked for a while after that. They’re a nice couple, wish them the best.

Back at my chair… sat down, grabbed my coffee and started thinking. If the Gulf was moved it might explain the Seagulls.