| [This
is a continuation of my second batch of GP reports...the part that talks
about the great folks I shared good times & conversation with]
After saying good-bye to Myron & helping a bit with kitchen clean-up, I went in search of Dan King, who would have to leave Monday to get back for work. I'm so glad I made sure to get that time to talk with him. He's another excellent fellow & wonderful to talk to. We talked about his surfing in San Diego and Baja, about his mountain climbing, about the beautiful rural area where he grew up & also, of beaches he loved to go to when he lived in Massachusetts. He asked me a bunch of questions, too. We spoke of how much we were looking forward to hearing about JoAnne's (who often surfs with Dan in San Diego) great adventure surfing in the Maldives. We talked more on Sunday night. I didn't get to surf with him, but that was entirely my fault (he was out there charging it, everyday he was there). But Dan, thanks so much, so very fine to talk with you!! I look forward to meeting up and being out in the waves with you another time down the stoking surfing trail. 
RotundDee asking Noble Surfer Dan a buncha questions, Saturday night Later that night, the place lit up with sunshine as Ferg, Lucy and Kim walked up the backstairs and into the living room. I was so happy to see Ferg's beaming smile & bright eyes again. He reminds me of a best friend of mine, a New Mexico cowboy named Jerry [we used to plan a lot of singing parties together...he'd cook up a huge batch of pinto beans, I'd make the enchiladas, we'd buy some Buck Horn or Coors beer and find someone's house to bring the party to. Our song repertoire included: 'El Paso' by Marty Robbins, 'Is Anybody Goin' To San Antone' by Charley Pride, 'Last Kiss' by Frankie J. Wilson, 'Day Dreams About Night Things' by Ronnie Milsap, 'I've Got A Tiger By The Tail' by Buck Owens...and 'I Walk The Line' by Johnny Cash] I know I'm indulging in a trip down memory lane above & it's not that Ferg's a cowboy. Among other things, he's a surfer and a sailor. Maybe its that cowboys and watermen share something in common. But what Jerry and Ferg share in common (at least, thru my eyes) is this inner strength of spirit that puts you right at ease and a great, subtle sense of humor that gets you laughing. Plus that, I loved when Ferg used 'Hello, My Name Is Johnny Cash' as his A.S moniker for awhile. My pal Jerry would enjoy talking with Ferg, just as much as I have. It was also inspiring to watch him surf. He glides & turns so smoothly on those waves, making it look so effortless. I'd love to get to the point where I could do that. Thanks so much, Ferg...I'm so happy that I got to see you again this year on the Outer Banks!
Around 1AM that first night, I reluctantly said goodnight & headed home to 'my place'. I had a busy day Sunday...had a little more GP prep work I wanted to do & it was my day to cook dinner. I'd promised to make a big batch of enchiladas. If I finished that, I'd go surfing afterwards. Everyone else there had their priorities right: the surfing comes first, festivities and cooking comes second. [Besides that, they're all better cooks than I...they know how to cook really fast and it turns out most excellent!] I stopped by in the afternoon to see what was happening. All had already been treated to an excellent omelet breakfast by top-notch Chef Neal and were now back out surfing again at Avon. I lucked out and ran into Rod while I was there and got a chance to talk with him for awhile, which I very much enjoyed. Pat, a member of Team Annapolis (and another great guy) was just arriving at GP, so I had the pleasure of meeting him, too. I soon bid all adieu and got back to my GP 'prep' work. With 2 batches of enchiladas (one with hot chilis, one with milder ones) and salad fixings in tow, I returned to GP headquarters around 6:30 PM. Everyone was back from surfing & nighttime festivities were starting to rev up. To my great delight, SteveM had just arrived. I love that guy. I love the wonderful way that he thinks and his approach to life...he's got a terrific sense of humor, too. I had regrets left over from last year's GP. I hadn't taken enough time to talk indepth with him...which was all my fault. Special times like these fly by so fast. I was so glad to have another chance to visit with Steve. I joined Maryland surfers Mike and Chris, who were busy in the kitchen making steak fajitas...Chris was cooking up peppers and onions and Mike was finishing the steak and homemade salsa (I hope I'm remembering this part right?). Ferg and Kim had just finished making a great batch of guacamole with huge avocados they had brought with them from Florida. It was gonna be a huge feast, but after all, it was a special night at GP... the night of the Surfin' Santa ceremony! I got to talking right away with Chris and Mike, as we all prepped our food in the kitchen... had a fantastic time doing it, too. Chris, a former Peace Corps worker, has continued on in a similar kind of work... lending a hand where it is wanted & needed, in several spots around the world. Some places where his job brings him also happen to have excellent surf breaks...so he combines his humanitarian work with his passion for surfing. It's very inspiring to talk to him and to watch him surf. He helped me a great deal with surfing at this year's Outer Banks Palooza (more about that, in an upcoming report). Mike and I share a lot in common. Amazingly, he has lived in all three places I call home: Massachusetts, New Mexico and Hawai'i. He does some very interesting science work. Mike is full of surfing stoke & charges it. It was great hearing some stories of breaks he's surfed, as well. Chris and Mike, thanks very much...so wonderful to meet, talk and be in the waves with you both!! I didn't get over to talk to SteveM right away as I'd planned, because wouldn'tcha just know it: he made a beeline for the surf, just minutes after his arrival on the Outer Banks. He and Kirk had headed out after 6:30 to surf the sunset hour & came back in only when it got dark. Both entered GP Headquarters with big ol' surf-induced grins on their faces. Dinner was ready, folks were already sitting around the table to share a meal and good conversation. Surfin' Santa Fiesta Night was only just beginning. More Soon As Always, DeeDeeDaSosh |
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| Posted to alt.surfing Date: 2002-09-30 13:06:40 PST | ||||||
