Live Oak Blues What happens.

I had been scanning maps of the Gulf for some time, because I had this crazy notion that, like my Native forbears, I could paddle a boat out to the scallop beds and bring those suckers back under my own power. About two miles out into the Gulf it occurred to me that I had seen only oyster shells in the many early-Native shell mounds that line the Crystal River area…and oysters like to stay close to shore. Scallops, apparently, do not. As I discovered, they were many miles past my reach or, to be more exact, I could get out there but could probably not get back with assistance or loss of consciousness.

As made my way past the last island and the folks drinking beer and listening to a Worst-Of-The-Eighties radio station in waist-deep water, and the lightning was striking everywhere but where my boat was, I gave up the fight and realized that I would not be going to the scallop beds on this day. Unless I am mistaken, scallops like at least five feet of grassy water, and I was still running aground even three miles or so from shore.

So, my friends, I did not drown or sunburn, but I did get caught in a thunderstorm as I was busy getting lost on the way back in. And if you see shreds of bright blue plastic floating off the coast of Bear Island, thank the oyster beds that, as I said, love the shallow water. Hats off to the Natives who knew how to keep it close to home.