Keep in mind this was a driving exam for an automobile. I didn't have a motorcycle, didn't know anyone that had a motorcycle, had never been within 5 feet of one. Why on Earth would I be concerned with what it DIDN"T have? Wouldn't that be a sole concern of the user/operator? I remember killing several brain cells that morning trying to resolve the issue. It was the only question I managed to get wrong on the test. It's also the only question I remember a quarter of a century later. The answer to that proposterous question? A reverse gear.
Well now you're sitting there, sipping your morning coffee, nibbling on your toast and saying to yourself, "what in Sam Hill tarnation does that have to do with SURF and the beach?"
Well, I'll tell ya.
After moving down here a few years ago, I've learned some amazing things. Most of which have to do with the odd, nay, almost pre-historic wildlife that inhabit these parts. (Have you seen an armadillo up close and personal? I mean, what's up with THAT?) I found out that while the Gopher Tortoise in my backyard can out manuver and out pace a jack-rabbit on a summer day. Our precious sea turtles are not as gifted. Oh sure, they are graceful and acrobatic swimmers, but on land, they are cumbersome, floundering, and like the above mentioned motorcycle, do not have a reverse gear.
When they finish their trans-oceanic swim, and finally make it to their nesting beach, they are exhauted. The effort to move their usually weightless body out of the surf and on to the upward slope of the beach is enormous. They then have to find the energy to get up the beach, dig a hole, lay eggs, and then drag themselves back to the ocean. I'm ready for a nap just thinking about it.
Without the ability to back up, when a turtle come ashore and wanders into a beach chair, toys, or a tent leg, it gets stuck. It's at this point that things can take a major turn. With only 1 in 1000 hatchlings actually making it back to their beach to lay eggs in the future, it is paramount that we don't loose any mature adults.
When this is explained to the beach guests, suddenly the red faced grumpy person that was ready to rip your head off for daring to suggest they haul all that heavy beach stuff back to the car, or to the dune line, is perfectly happy to comply so they aren't the one that kills a sea turtle. Amazing isn't it? Sometimes all it takes is a little explaination of the REASON for the rules.
SantaRosaCounty 2010-10 - of which the gist is; if it's not sand don't leave it on the beach overnight or it may not be there for you in the morning. The beach patrol may haul it off for you. Simply take it inside, or collapse it, and move it up to the dune line.
Yes, you CAN get a permit to leave things >http://204.90.20.174/navarrebeach/nbpermits/index.cfm
I think I've spoken to a gillion people in the past three days. This is the FIRST time I've come off the beach, in the Summer, and seen THIS.
That's RIGHT! NOTHING! Nothing to see! The beach was void of all but ocean watchers and skim boarders! It was a fabulous sight!
For those of you that have been out, keep up the good work! For those of you about to go out and work your first day, keep spreading the word!
Chris and I will be juggling the schedule and a supply pick up location today. This should really get rolling this week. So don't panic if you haven't heard from us QUITE yet.
As usual, it's July in Florida, so another HOT and HUMID day is set up for us. Stay hydrated and wear that sunscreen. Get out of the heat if you start feeling iffy. While chatting, stand in the shade!
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