A Recent day at the Gulf

A partially true story of a day at the South Texas beach

Another Day on the Gulf

Last week I spent half a day swimming off the South Texas coast. It’s not far away and I go often April through November. I’m usually toes in the sand between 9 and 9:30 in the morning, no crowds.

My routine is to pick up a breakfast burrito and a very large coffee before walking the last block to the water.

Seagulls on that beach have always been fairly polite. While eating I watch them as they keep an eye on my food and maneuver for position. A burrito or two later, when my belly is full and I’m feeling really satisfied I throw out the last bites. It’s fun to watch so many fight over so little. It’s only sadistic if you think about it from the gull’s point of view.

Last week the gulls were different. Very aggressive. Not in the least polite. I managed to eat about 2 thirds of my only burrito before they organized. A few gulls distracted me at eye level as one flew in from the left, another from the right, each stealing a good bit of egg and potato. A third came out of nowhere and yanked the rest out my hand. The little delinquent flew away with a piece of my tortilla hanging from it’s beak. Not polite and absolutely no etiquette. I was not happy. I was hungry. Scolding made no difference.

I shrugged that off and went for the first swim of the day. Can’t explain how good that always feels especially early in the season. This day the surf was moderate and I easily made my way out past the breakers then floated, flipped, rolled and swam while letting the current carry me north along the beach.

Maybe 30 minutes later I was back on the sand a ways up the beach. A young couple came up:

He greeted me with, “Looked like you were having good time out there!”

“I love it. No sense in letting the kids have all the fun!”

She smiles, “Ha! How far did you swim?”

“Don’t know, the current carries you but at least twice as far as the tall hotel.”

“We’re from Washington State. We’ve been to Southern California to swim in the Pacific but this is our first trip to Texas and the Gulf of America!”

“How do ya like it so far? Uh, ...Gulf of AMERICA?”

She replies, “I like that the area isn’t built up like Southern Cal. The warm water, the atmosphere and the people are the best. Yea, you know this is the Gulf of AMERICA now?”

“I really like it too but pretty sure this is the Gulf of MEXICO. There’s a long history here.”

He backs his girlfriend up, “It’s been the Gulf of AMERICA for awhile now.”

I think I can teach this likeable young couple something before they start having kids. Let's approach it rationally.

“OK, so if this ISN’T the Gulf of MEXICO, that means they must have put it somewhere else, right? It used to be here. It couldn’t just disappear. So after they moved it somewhere else, they would have to move in a whole new gulf. Any ideas on where did they put it and where the new one come from?”

He looks out over the water, “Where did they put what?”.

“Gulf of MEXICO.”

I’m not sure if she’s exasperated or holding in a little grin. “They didn’t put it anywhere.”

“Yep, there you go! So then this is the Gulf of MEXICO right where it’s always has been. Tell me about the Gulf of AMERICA.”

They look at me then to each other.

He’s looking confused.

She’s looking chagrined, “How far down the beach did you come?”

“Still don’t know.”

She shows a little fake concern, “Do you need to sit down? Do they usually let you out alone?”

“I’m good, tell me about the Gulf of AMERICA. Good place to visit?”

Another wave pushed over our ankles.

He points down, “We’re standing in the Gulf of AMERICA right now, sir.” clearly exasperated.

“Don’t know where the Gulf of AMERICA is but I’m sure I didn’t swim that far!”

Now she’s clearly grinning, “Yea, maybe when you were younger?”

“Hey!”

He’s sees she’s having fun and goes quiet.

She steps up her game, “So, sir, maybe the Gulf of MEXICO WAS here but went out with the tide.”

That train of thought makes about as much sense as anything else, “Could be, but then where did the Gulf of AMERICA come from?”

“Obviously it came in with the tide!.”

“Then you guys should hang around till the tide comes in again. You’ll love the Gulf of MEXICO.”

“You know they renamed it right sir?”, she's just making sure.

“Yep, but you know if you call a something a different something, it’s still the thing it was, right?”

She and I in unison, “GULF OF MEXICO!!”

I’m so glad I could help.

We talked for a while after that. They’re a nice couple, wish them the best.

Back at my chair… sat down, grabbed the coffee and started thinking. If the Gulf was moved it might explain the Seagulls.