Anyone here who has never seen the sea?

vince

Legendary Member
Joined
May 13, 2007
Posts
8,271
Media
1
Likes
1,674
Points
333
Location
Canada
Sexuality
69% Straight, 31% Gay
Gender
Male
Yes I remember the first time I saw the sea. I was on the ferry between Vancouver and the Island. It was as big as the sky, bigger than the prairies. It made me feel even smaller than I was.

Years later, when I moved to Vancouver, I lived on the side of a mountain. Everything was so hilly and up and down. I would get claustrophobic. Being a prairie girl, I needed the sky, I needed the horizon. I would go to the beach to open up. I could breathe again. I needed that sense of endless horizon and sky.
I had a prairie girlfriend in BC and she said pretty much the same thing, "The mountains are nice, but they block the view." She moved back to Carrot River or Moosejaw or somesuchplace and married a farmer.

We pretty much grew up on the sea. One of my earliest memories is being on the family boat, a 26 foot cabin cruiser powered by a 60hp Merc. The boat was built by my Dad. A big Chris-Craft went past throwing a huge wake and we got tossed around and Dad cursed at the guy for the wake and for owning such a piece of shit as a Chris-Craft. My parents would pack seven kids and nine boxes of food and supplies into that little boat, and we'd go on picnics to Thetis Island or Sidney Spit for the day. Some days he would go out fishing for salmon or cod and whoever wanted to, could tag along. Lots of fun, no facebook or TV... the ocean provided all the entertainment one could want.

The first time I saw the Grand Canyon, walking up to the edge and experiencing the beauty and vastness of it, was absolutely overwhelming and is my most awesome nature experience. I think someone seeing an ocean for the first time may have the same reaction.
 
Last edited:

LaFemme

Mythical Member
Staff
Moderator
Verified
Gold
Platinum Gold
Joined
Aug 16, 2010
Posts
40,873
Media
2
Likes
38,886
Points
743
Location
Canada
Sexuality
90% Straight, 10% Gay
Gender
Female
I had a prairie girlfriend in BC and she said pretty much the same thing, "The mountains are nice, but they block the view." She moved back to Carrot River or Moosejaw or somesuchplace and married a farmer.

We pretty much grew up on the sea. One of my earliest memories is being on the family boat, a 26 foot cabin cruiser powered by a 60hp Merc. The boat was built by my Dad. A big Chris-Craft went past throwing a huge wake and we got tossed around and Dad cursed at the guy for the wake and for owning such a piece of shit as a Chris-Craft. My parents would pack seven kids and nine boxes of food and supplies into that little boat, and we'd go on picnics to Thetis Island or Sidney Spit for the day. Some days he would go out fishing for salmon or cod and whoever wanted to, could tag along. Lots of fun, no facebook or TV... the ocean provided all the entertainment one could want.

The first time I saw the Grand Canyon, walking up to the edge and experiencing the beauty and vastness of it, was absolutely overwhelming and is my most awesome nature experience. I think someone seeing an ocean for the first time may have the same reaction.
So true. Of course, I'd never marry a farmer. The hours interfere with my beauty sleep.

But yes, the ocean, the Grand Canyon- there are places in nature that upon first sight truly define the word awesome.
 

ActionBuddy

Mythical Member
Gold
Platinum Gold
Joined
Mar 27, 2006
Posts
13,722
Media
15
Likes
30,518
Points
618
Location
Seattle, Washington, US
Sexuality
No Response
Gender
Male
I had a prairie girlfriend in BC and she said pretty much the same thing, "The mountains are nice, but they block the view." ...

Off topic a bit, but, this quote reminded me of the time that my most blasé friend returned from his first trip to San Francisco, (and also his first views of the Pacific Ocean), and when asked what he thought about The City, he said, "Well, it's okay... If you like bay windows."

;)... A/B
 
Last edited:
7

798686

Guest
Love it - and can't imagine not being able to see it. Tho technically, I think I've only ever seen the sea, and not the actual ocean?

Not sure how I'd cope living inland - but I'm sure there are other geographical markers, and rivers and stuff to orientate yourself around.

@Femme - I live in quite a hilly area, but would love to live somewhere more open for a while, and see more than a small portion of the sky at one time. :p

PS: @ActionBuddy - I know this isn't strictly within the remit of the OP's question - but it is to do with the sea and our relation to it... so nevermind, eh. ;)
 

ActionBuddy

Mythical Member
Gold
Platinum Gold
Joined
Mar 27, 2006
Posts
13,722
Media
15
Likes
30,518
Points
618
Location
Seattle, Washington, US
Sexuality
No Response
Gender
Male
Love it - and can't imagine not being able to see it. Tho technically, I think I've only ever seen the sea, and not the actual ocean?
....
PS: @ActionBuddy - I know this isn't strictly within the remit of the OP's question - but it is to do with the sea and our relation to it... so nevermind, eh.

Since you are from Cymru, I assume you are talking about seeing the Irish Sea?... Although it may have a different name in Welsh... That counts!... But, it would probably feel a lot different if you went to the farthest west coast of Ireland to view the Atlantic, with no land masses in sight.... :)

I didn't mean to sound scolding with my past posts in this thread, but, it is interesting that only one person on this site has spoken up to answer the OP's title question. Obviously, this thread has moved beyond that, and has been a nice read of peoples' love of sea and land.

A/B
 
  • Like
Reactions: alcor972 and Joll

BillM

LPSG Legend
Gold
Platinum Gold
Joined
Dec 14, 2015
Posts
130,366
Media
7
Likes
386,180
Points
458
Location
Beverly Hills (California, United States)
Sexuality
50% Straight, 50% Gay
Gender
Male
th
Growing up my parents had a second beach home in Malibu so I do not remember waht my first thought were, just when we went there we had so much fun in the sand and cool water!! Bill
 
7

798686

Guest
Since you are from Cymru, I assume you are talking about seeing the Irish Sea?... Although it may have a different name in Welsh... That counts!... But, it would probably feel a lot different if you went to the farthest west coast of Ireland to view the Atlantic, with no land masses in sight.... :)

I didn't mean to sound scolding with my past posts in this thread, but, it is interesting that only one person on this site has spoken up to answer the OP's title question. Obviously, this thread has moved beyond that, and has been a nice read of peoples' love of sea and land.

A/B
You didn't sound cold - I was just pulling your leg, really. ;)

And yes - it is indeed the Irish Sea (and also the English Channel and North Sea, on various visits). Weirdly enough, it's not possible to see Ireland from North Wales (about 90 miles away), although we can sometimes see the Isle of Man. But I agree - west coast of Ireland and thousands of miles of open water would seem like an entirely different prospect. :)
 

Dave NoCal

Superior Member
Joined
Sep 5, 2006
Posts
2,719
Media
1
Likes
2,572
Points
333
Location
Sacramento (California, United States)
Sexuality
No Response
Gender
Male
I have a picture of myself at age three or four in the Gulf of Mexico but don't remember it. My first memory of the ocean was arriving after dark in Acapulco and going to see the beach for a few minutes before going to bed. Acapulco Bay was beautiful and the lights in the hills surrounding the bay were nice. The next few days were really fun, especially playing in the modest waves. A year later I returned to Acapulco but traveled north up the coastline a bit. As we cleared the hills the view of the Pacific to the left and a large lake to the right was spectacular. That that beach, Pie de la Cuesta, the waves were brutal. I slept on the beach with a group for a week with the waves pounding all night long.
 
1

185248

Guest
Obviously television doesn't count. I mean is there anyone who has never been to actually see it.

Is there anyone who can remember seeing it for the first time? Can you describe the experience?


Can I something squirty like...well, in a 50 kilometre radius I could show you all the very best beaches in the world. Have lived here all my life, and many generations before me.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 950483
9

950483

Guest
Can I something squirty like...well, in a 50 kilometre radius I could show you all the very best beaches in the world. Have lived here all my life, and many generations before me.
Sharks and other weird stuff though :(.