I have been MIA for quite a few days.  My mother in law, who was visiting from California,  got stomach flu the day she was scheduled to fly home and so she stayed extra days to feel better.  Then after taking care of her, I got it too!  I was ill for several days, it was one nasty bug.  Finally this morning my husband went down to the beach and came back telling me how perfect the ocean was!  I went down less than an hour later, and the wind was coming up already with some white caps…. BOO!  Two other paddling friends were contemplating going out with the wind situation, so I decided to go for it.  I paddled against the north wind down almost to Kalama Park and then turned south.  I decided to play it safe and stay in the vicinity so the wind blew me south and then backed off.  It was nice for a little while and then the wind came up again causing a sea of white caps!  I decided to try to stay out as long as possible, so I just kept paddling.  Then the wind backed off again, and the ocean got perfect.  It was so nice I didn’t want to come in!  I paddled for almost an hour and then decided to come in and go for my swim before the wind got totally crazy.  My swim was amazingly nice and the water crystal clear!  All the reefs were visible, which doesn’t happen very often, so I totally enjoyed the reefs, fish and coral.  Swimming was an absolute joy!  By the time I left the beach the wind was getting crazy, so I am so glad I went out!!!!!