Dolphin Dreams

I have always loved dolphins, for as long as I can remember actually. I feel like they are pure, innocent, beautiful, stunning, smart and calming animals. They bring me joy watching them swim and jump, play and interact. How they have been known to protect and fight off sharks from harming people amazes me. I have always said it was my dream to swim in the ocean with them before I died.

Well in 1999 my (then) husband and I planned a (late) honeymoon to Panama City Beach Florida for a week. We drove there and the sunshine and ocean was the most amazing sight and feeling. On day 2 of our vacation we were dining at an outside cafe on a pier and was watching people talking to a man down on the beach who had about 8 jet skies all tied up in the water and a little hut if you want to call it that. It basically offered him some shade and a place to store his cooler!

We finished eating and wandered our way down to the beach and came upon this man we had seen people talking to and we started talking to him as well. On his hut stand was a sign that said Dolphin Tours. I figured there was no way we could afford to do anything like that so I did not get super excited at first. Till the man started telling us about it and how it works. You can get your own personal jet ski and he will take you out to try to find a pod of dolphins. I was listening as I watched boats out in the ocean, one boat was way out but I could see the boat was moving fast, it looked fun.... people swimming and trying their hand at some first time snorkeling and truly everyone, everywhere was just loving and enjoying the pure beauty of the beach. That is when the man started talking cost of this dolphin tour, it was a 3-4 hour trip, my husband and I could ride on one jet ski to save money as well...and the best part...it was ONLY $40.00 a person for this whole thing!! THAT is when I became beyond excited!!

Without a word, my husband took out $80.00 and handed it to the man and said "Let's do it then, it is her dream!"

OMG....really...I was going to fulfill a dream...a real dream...happening?? Yeppers....it sure was!!

So we got the learning and safety info explained and then came along another couple that decided to go as well...so there was 3 jet skis total...my husband and I on one, the other couple on one and our funny guide (Hut/Beach man) on one.... I thought that riding a jet ski would be easy but it was harder than it looked till I got the hang of using my legs to keep my butt on the seat when we smacked a wave. Our guide was awesome and had us all kicking some ass flying across that ocean. It was actually the Gulf of Mexico we were in...beautiful...zooming on these speedy jet skis, which I had NEVER been on one before that moment. We rode for about a hour and found a pod of about 30 dolphins!! Our guide had us all slow down and get closer to each other, we slowly came upon a few feet of this pod by now. That is when funny hut/beach/guide man said..."Well.....hop into the water and see if they come to you" Um....huh? Get INTO the ocean that I CANNOT see below me...and all that I can see over and over in my head is the Jaws movies Ha Ha...I have a slight fear of not knowing what is under me in the water....yet OMG I wanted to see the dolphins so bad....One person had to stay on ski while other was in water in case it needed to be moved or for any reason...so NOW it was into the water..by myself. The guide looked at me and asked if I wanted to see if they would come closer and I said "YES" and he said "Then get in the water!!" There was no time to think, I slipped off the jet ski into the water and instantly felt bumps and things hitting my feet, legs and body....I ALMOST flipped out till the guide told me to tap/splash the top of the water. I did, and up popped this amazing and beautiful dolphin...that is what I was feeling underwater was all the dolphins "playing" with me. This dolphin let me pet all over it and rub it and there were several that came up to see us and each one let us pet them and they were almost kitten like...wanting to be petted and wanting to play! It was the most amazing thing I have ever experienced (aside from having my kids of course) and a event that I will NEVER forget. It was so amazing that we did it the day before we left to come home again! I still cannot believe that I swam with the dolphins in the Gulf Of Mexico!! What a awesome memory that will forever live in my heart.

I would love to go back and do it again for sure! Perhaps a girls only vacation Patrece ~ and gardengirl ???? Hmmm.....

Probably not the most amazing story I have ever wrote...but it damn sure was the most amazing experience I have ever done!!


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