Sunset Beach, North Carolina
August 2009
If I had Johnny Depp by my side and we were on a hunt for buried treasure, my pirate fantasy would be so close to being fulfilled. Wait! Throw in a parrot.
Now...continue.
I could have just washed up on an abandoned beach in the middle of the Caribbean, the way my surroundings are looking. I'm standing on a rock wall with endless beach to my left. In front of me, the ocean is churning as far as the eye can see. Behind me, sand dunes are staunchly guarding the land mass against the strengthening wind.
But, obviously, I don't have dashing Depp by my side (sigh), and sadly there isn't a box of treasured jewels to be found. This rock I'm perched on isn't wedged somewhere in the Caribbean Sea either. (Darn! There's something about that Caribbean air...) However, I can't complain - I'm at Sunset Beach, North Carolina, a haven in its own right with my dad who loves me more than Depp probably ever could (although I wouldn't be totally opposed to testing this theory).
BUT, I'm getting off track... Back to dad and I.
We haven't found any buried treasure, but we have found dozens of sea dollars. Besides us, there isn't a soul in sight, save a few daring surfers who have braved the turbulent waves from a category three hurricane that is churning northwest of here. Apparently, we are the only ones crazy enough to check out a beach with a hurricane coming this way. But if you know me or my dad, you know that nothing can stop us from taking our walk to Bird Island. (Well, except for lightning! You don't mess with lightning, but so far none of that has flashed...yet)
Our normally peaceful haven has developed into a scene of nature at its raw brutal
ity. The mammoth storm just brewing off the coast is causing an adrenaline rush to build inside of me. There is something thrilling about storms, something that beckons me despite the danger to want to become a part of the wonder. To me, a storm is splendorous display of God's power. It's as if He is saying, "I am God, let me show you what I can do."
Goose bumps cover my arm as I watch and listen. Dad has decided to stay up in the dunes, climbing over the slippery rocks, that separates the beach from the dunes, doesn't interest him. I, however, had to have a closer look at the ocean which is continually pelting the shore below. With each wave rushing in comes a low whistling sound as if some vast tunnel is opening sucking in everything that stands in it's way. The waves slam mightily against the shore dislodging the smaller rocks below me creating a crashing sound that makes me wince every time I hear it. I thank God, I'm no where near landing zone. The thought of my bones crushing comes quickly to mind; however, I'm too overcome w
ith this overwhelming sight that I don't actually consider the danger in such close proximity to me. The water begins rushing out again and a sound that reminds me of a train running violently over its track comes to my ear. The usually steadfast rocks are being sucked out to sea slamming against one another all the way down the newly reshaped beach. All the heaving and pulling by the ocean has turned the normally flat surfaced beach into a visible slant. This is unlike anything I have ever seen. I watch and listen as the smaller rocks roll down the slant and into the opening jaws of the black ocean in amazement. The ocean must be one of the most ambivalent existences upon the earth, for the body lying before me now is a violent dark mass reeking havoc upon this tiny island, but in the past when I have been down here it has been the most serene sight ever to behold.
So far the waves have yet to reach my part of the wall, but each wall of water gets closer and closer to the rock, I am observing from. Little rivers of water are rushing beneath me and all around me. Between my rock and the last remnants of sand is now a deep pit of swirling water. Too engrossed with the tumultuous water, I ignore my dad's warnings to come back before I get stuck. Rumble, silence, sudden spray of water. The cycle repeats itself, and my attentio
n doesn't wane. Water splashes on my feet, and I foolishly smile broadly. Another wave is building, bigger and bigger, refusing to break until finally slamming into the rock simultaneously. For a second, everything freezes.
Silence.
Out of nowhere, A wall of water is rushing toward me up from the rocks. I close my eyes and brace myself on the rock as the water engulfs me. Shaken, I take a deep breath as the water slips under the rocks below. I look around and realize thankfully that I'm ok. I'm ok. I'm soaking wet, my clothes are clinging to my limp body, but I'm unharmed. Freezing, yes.
I rejoice as I realize that no longer am I surveying nature, I have just become a part of nature. I have become a part of this angry sea, and it has left me unscathed. I rejoice!
Yes, I know, I'm insane to be excited at the fact that a wave just crashed into me nearly causing me to fall off the rock. But what can I say, life experiences, give me a rush.
Don't worry, fellow adventurers, common sense did finally take control, I leap for the sand just as another wave is racing for me. Hastily, I climb up the dune to tell my dad of my experience. He's thankful I'm
ok, but admonishes me for my foolishness. This will definitely be one of our more memorable walks. The storm is getting worse, and water is now starting to come from another direction: above. Home is now our destination.
I look back at the ocean and can't help but wonder what mood it will be in the next time I return...
Until the next adventure...
Sunset Beach on a balmy storm-free day
