As you know I just got back from Death Valley.... and the most compelling aspect of Death Valley, (for me), was the 'mystery'. That said -
When I look out over the ocean from the beach, any beach, THAT is the greatest of all mysteries. The ocean draws you to it. However, it's also true that the ocean is my biggest fear. But it's not 'terror' I feel regarding the ocean... it DOES draw me towards it. It's a place I would love to explore but fear prevents it. You are the opposite, and I both admire and envy that.
Think I mentioned this before but my son was in the Coast Guard. Mostly they worked the coastline, seldom out further than 100 miles - - but on one of their missions they went to the middle of the pacific ocean to do maintenance on buoy. They stayed there... ( I guess anchored ).... for 3 days. For recreation they were allowed to jump overboard and swim for a while.
In Death Valley I took a couple 4X4 roads just to experience being 'alone', as close to 'alone' as one can get in the USA. It was great...but even alone in a canyon somewhere in the middle of Death Valley it does not compare to my son's visit to that buoy in the middle of the Pacific.
I think the 'fear' I have of the ocean is actually closer to being explained as 'respect'. I respect the power of Death Valley... but I have more respect for the ocean. I don't like the ocean more... it's not that... it's just that for whatever reason I have more respect for the power of the ocean. - JamesJM
