STINGRAY HIT AT LOW, LOW, LOW TIDE

Today, Thursday, late afternoon, I had an extremely pleasant 20-minutes of moderate kicking in the calmest water that I've enjoyed in many years.  

No waves, and the tide was way out there. I collected a bunch of sand dollars and left them on the ledge near the shower. I took 3 good ones home for my collection. I didn't see any little kids to give them to.

Finally, for the first time ever, I got stung or brushed and stung a few times on the area of my right heel.

It doesn't hurt much at the instant of stings, but as the minutes pass, it hurts more and more. By the time I got home I was hurting big time and limping. Now, as an experienced beach guy, water safety & survival instructor, military lifeguard and Scuba guy, I know that soaking the foot in a HOT bucket of water for a few hours mitigates the pain. I'm soaking now--no pain.

"The first time you quit is the last time you try."

Oceanside Harbor Beach Almost Empty

About 3 p.m. I drove down to the Harbor Beach and got in the water for 15-20 minutes of relaxed kicking with the fins while lying on my back. My rehab program. 

Such a low, low tide, overcast sky, maybe half a dozen people in the water. Just how I like it.

57 F per web...no way...much warmer, about 61 is my guess. 

No surfing possible in a 1-2 foot chop, but great for my usage.

My lumbar is okay today, Sunday, after a dip yesterday. 

One could stand at the end of the rock jetty Saturday. Low,low, low tide...nothing but sand on the bottom. No visibility.

"The first time you quit is the last time you try."