The Sap was running

I took a short jog along the beach this gorgeous Spring morning (thus the subject) to test my wind after my recent severe cold, and warm up before my Semiweekly deathmatch racquetball game against Mrs(ballcrusher)Foon.(We split two games). As I suspected, the lungs are not hitting on all eight and I've got to work more on my cardio in the coming weeks.

The weather on the Delmarva has been clear crisp and sunny. The surf was running 2-3 feet and semiglassy and I suppose if it had only been 20 degrees warmer (61) I would surely have gone in. As it was my mystery neighbor took his big yellow longboard and logged 3 hours Saturday and 3 hours today. The guy is a machine I tell you, catching 20-30 waves a sesh. None that spectacular but he gets an Oscar for perseverance.

The city is starting to emerge from it's cocoon. New signs and paint jobs are beginning to appear. Lavish new construction projects of luxury condos in the $300-500K range may go begging if the Dow continues to dump. As the season comes on more and more beach related activities are starting to show up on my calendar. This weekend the Delaware Surfrider had a dune grass planting. In two weeks the OC Surfrider with sponsor a 'Surf Stomp' fundraiser, and in three weeks will organize another wetland cleanup at our city park on the bay. I'm ready, got my canvas gloves and garbage bags.

Our protective dunes are well groomed and bulging with wave and windborne sand. Though there were some significant Nor'Easters this winter, the dune and nearshore sandbars seem to have held up great. The Foonbunker secret spot has moved South about 200 yards and I notice some of the locals have already sussed out which tides and swell direction are optimum. We should be getting some fine sessions this year provided Huey sends us the requisite swell and winds.

I always get excited as the new season comes on. Locals tell me it was a rather good winter to surf, but colder than in previous years. I'm looking forward to paddling out with much less neoprene than what is currently needed just to dunk a toe. My target is 50-55 degrees and mid May if my osteoarthritis is agreeable. By then I should be in better shape for the Hurricane season of 2001.

-Foon (A Sap for all seasons)

Dear Foon!

I am so glad that I checked into 'Google/Deja' today, so that I got to read your Very HeartWarming post, entitled 'The Sap was running'!

The news server I subscribe to, was not downloading (for the most part) the day you posted it....so I am so glad that it could be found at 'Google'. Though I can't quote from it directly (...I wish I could!), since, it didn't appear on my server (I jest copied your title above, for the subject heading!): I'd just like to thank you, most sincerely for your great post.

I am glad to hear that you are close to fully mended from your cold! ....it was so great to read of how you & Mrs. Foon play racquetball together!... I loved hearing about the stoke of Spring starting to set in at the Foonbunker; and about your mystery neighbor out there, in the surf.

I always love, _so much_, to hear your updates from the Most Classic Foonbunker! ....and, I can tell from your post (just becuz your Stoke comes A-Shining Thru, So Wingingly Clear!) that it is gonna be yet another Most Far-Out, Right-On, Righteously Rollin' Spring, Summer & Fall Surfing Season!!!

By Golly, It Is _Always_ So Very Fine To Get To Hear You At Alt.Surfing, Foontonio!

Much Aloha To You & Mrs. Foon ....And, To All!

Dee 'Postin' Up A Storm, Agin' Dee