I’ve had some standout vacation experiences through the years, memories that stand out sharp amid all the other memories in the past. There’ve been a few memories that stand out for other reasons — but that’s a different story!
Our first vacation to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach claims one of the incredible, bigger than life, moments. We’d never been to the Alabama Gulf Coast before. We planned our trip, packed our bags and headed south to the warm, Gulf waters and wide, sandy beaches. We looked forward to discovering Alabama’s coastal scene: the delicious cuisine, the exciting activities, and a catamaran ride to see the dolphins.
We heard them before we saw them. Engines revved to life and planes burst “through” the trees into the blue sky. The Blue Angels air show had begun. And we watched. Sometimes with breath held.
The airmen performed their stunts and dance of symmetry with such precision over the water, directly above our heads. They’d fly off out of sight and then return, dipping a wing to acknowledge our group as they soared back to their formation. The roar would follow — and linger — as the plane zipped by.
Our captain knew the show well. And the airmen seemed to know him, too. He’d guide us to watch the sky here or there as the show continued. We’d all turn and gaze into the sky, watching as a small dot grew. The planes would roll, dip and dive as they whooshed past.
Along the way, the excitement of the show carried the conversation, all of us sharing the parts we loved best. We gushed our true amazement at seeing these powerful planes dance just above our heads. As the adrenaline rush wore off, we sat, collectively gazing into the Gulf water looking for some elusive dolphins, a perfect exclamation point to a perfect day.
And then, minutes before we ducked under the bridge toward the marina, the dolphins came, showing off their own dance skills as they leaped from the water and dove back in. Just a few minutes. But, somehow, just enough.