Red flags

While we were in Destin there were several thunderstorms. They would blow these dark fluffy clouds across the sky and rain would follow. The wind would create large waves that crashed into the beach. My husband loves to ride the waves and was talking to the the beach guy Steve. He is a young 20 year or so old with blond hair and stands around 6 foot and more. He politely explained to my husband the danger of the waves and that is why the red flag was flying. Steve says that it isn't so much for the adults who can swim it is for the little children who could get carried out and drown. Children have no sense of danger while having fun. The waves seem so harmless as they crash into one's feet but that is while standing on solid ground. Once out in the ocean the ground is gone and you become tossed about with the sea. Strong swimmers could withstand the test; however the children don't understand current and undertide. As my husband was walking off Steve said, " afterall this isn't a good place to die, people come here to have fun and enjoy themselves, drowning is not okay here." Ironic isn't it? The ocean has so many wonderful hidden treasures. Seashells, creatures of strange shapes, sanddollars, seaweed, refreshing salt water, tiny minnows that swim by fast. To admire the ocean is to see it's power. To watch the massive boats sail across the horizon. To see the dolphins jump across the wake. To realize the fish to be caught and brought to the shore. To feel the jolt as the waves crash into your legs. Steve changed the red flag to blue one day. The little children jumped with joy. People rode the waves as far as they could. No longer was is necessary to watch from the shore. We could get in and get wet. It was safe.