Joe and I are shocked by the sudden change in our environment. In just two-and-a-half hours we’ve moved from zero degrees, a foot of snow blanketing a sheet of ice, breath-taking cold- and I mean that literally- to 79 degrees, sun, a light breeze, and some dramatically fluffy clouds. My sister’s husband Joe greeted us at Fort Meyers Airport with a big smile and a roomy car. Who could want for anything more?
My Joe, a cardiologist, had been working 15-hour days, and craved some unplanned time for us to explore this southern world on our multi-speed rental bikes. Kath and her husband are happy to share their lovely condo, only a few minutes walk from the Gulf of Mexico’s glorious sugar-sand beach, which stretches on endlessly to the north and south.
Now, sated after a fine day of sightseeing, we parked our bikes near the beach and padded onto the sand to gaze out at the contemplative Gulf of Mexico. Soon the intensely orange sun would descend, sans sizzle, into that quiet ocean.
We were surprised to see well over two hundred people not only near us, but also far up and down the sandy expanse, relaxing in folding chairs or standing in convivial groups to chat and mingle while they awaited the day’s spectacular finale. Two or three elegantly dressed couples sipped champagne. We heard smatterings of Russian, Spanish, and German.
Elderly men in casual dress played the ancient game of Bocci amid laughter and jokes from wives and relatives. Children ran about playing tag. Nearby, two charming mutts with floppy ears, bushy eyebrows and stumpy tails wandered to the ocean’s edge to observe five little sanderlings zip confidently along its quiet waterline, searching for treats just under the wet sand. Pelicans skimmed the ocean’s flat surface about two hundred feet out, hoping to scoop up one last foolish fish before settling down for the night.
Then, suddenly, it was show time. “Bonnie! Bert! Come!” The dogs trotted back and hopped onto their owners’ laps. Sunglasses were placed over their eyes. They didn’t mind a bit. Clearly, this was part of their routine.
Nobody moved, or spoke. Everyone, including the dogs, looked out to sea.
Our giant sun slid behind billowy white clouds, changing them in a magician’s instant to vivid purple, lavender, orange, yellow, gray, cream…
Down, down it plunged. At first, just an orange sliver disappeared-
Then more,
more---
Now it was half gone---
Three-quarters gone---
Every soul there was witness to our home planet’s massive rotation.
Just the tip of the flame-ball remained above the waterline –
Then, with one last shattering light show, the evening sun vanished into night, to become morning light on ‘the other side.’ Final radiant beams shot through the proximal horizon, momentarily brightening the sleepy, mercury-silver ocean.
Everyone applauded! Somebody barked once. The sound rippled up and down the beach, laced with sighs of appreciation. No one moved for a few more seconds, savoring...
Quietly then, the audience gathered families and belongings, and left. In ten minutes we were alone.
Still spellbound, we stayed on to absorb residual magic, then slowly pedaled home.