Despite not feeling well, I still managed to get in the water with a dolphin in the Florida Keys.
Meet Jax. Or AJ. I can’t remember which one shook fins with me.
*Please focus on the dolphin and not my never-seen-the-light-of-day tummy.
While Kiefer was scuba diving, I surprised Boo and Radley with a visit to the Dolphin Research Center (where Flipper lived). Below is a pic of both of the dolphins we interacted with.
Jax was rescued when he was about eight months old. He was all by himself and the victim of a shark attack, so he’s missing part of his dorsal fin, tail fluke, and right pectoral flipper. Tough little guy.
Not only did we get to touch the dolphins, we also gave commands that the trainers use, and got in a splash fight with the dolphins.
I learned a lot about dolphins, which I’m unable to share with you because once in the water, my mind began chanting,”Just let me touch the dolphin…Just let me touch the dolphin!”
Here’s what I remember:
- Dolphins are cute.
- Dolphins like ice cubes.
- Don’t get in a splash fight with a dolphin. The dolphin will win.
- Dolphins are huge.
Just like when a wolf sat in my lap, being in an animal’s environment and being vulnerable to that animal makes you realize just how big it is. And also how beautiful.
Thanks, DRC, for helping me cross something off my 35 Before 35 List.
Favorite Comment From Last Post: “Whenever I hear of something bad happening – like my friend’s oven door falling off on Thanksgiving and her trying to find someplace to finish her turkey – I think ‘that will be a good story when it stops sucking.’ So…I stand behind your spectacular death thesis.”—Kitten Thunder
November 28th, 2012 at 8:16 am
Nice memory! Dolphins are cool. They don’t hurt anyone!
November 28th, 2012 at 8:16 am
Flipper TV series filmed here in Miami.
November 28th, 2012 at 8:25 am
The movie Flipper dolphin came from DRC. Her name was Mitzi. I’ve never seen the TV series. Was it good?
November 28th, 2012 at 8:17 am
This is sooooo great! Something I’ve always wanted to do!
November 28th, 2012 at 8:27 am
Nice! Dolphins are awesome.
November 28th, 2012 at 8:32 am
Soooo cute! Dolphins are amazing.
I swam with dolphins at ZooMarine in Portugal – a birthday gift from my mum and siblings. It was fantastic! The ones I swam with were in a pool though (an outdoor one). You look like you’re in a proper lake or something?
November 28th, 2012 at 8:34 am
Oh man! You got to swim with the dolphins. I now hold you in much higher esteem because of this, Thoughtsy. Just thought you should know.
And a warning for possible blindness might be appropriate next time prior to viewing your tummy. I thought I was the whitest woman in the world, but you may be vying for my title. 😉
November 28th, 2012 at 8:35 am
Dolphins are very smart and cute as a button. Sounds like a great experience, Thoughtsy.
November 28th, 2012 at 8:37 am
This is AWESOME (and how cute are you??). Dolphins make me feel like life has a porpoise.
I’m sorry. There’s no excuse for that.
November 28th, 2012 at 8:56 am
Awww…I’d like to read Jax’s post: “A pretty lady came to play with us today. She brought Pop Tarts. It was cool.”
November 28th, 2012 at 9:34 am
That’s a beautiful photo.
November 28th, 2012 at 10:44 am
Dolphins like ice cubes?! I swam with dolphins at a place in the BVI, but didn’t learn that. I think I need to go back and demand a refund – a good excuse to visit the dolphins again, because they are totally awesome, like you surprising Boo and Radley with a trip to the DRC!
November 28th, 2012 at 10:58 am
What are the chances that I’d find, after reading this, that another blogger that I follow had a post about dolphins? Thought you might like this (and The Laughing Housewife is hysterical – you might enjoy reading some of her posts): http://thelaughinghousewife.wordpress.com/2012/11/28/the-ahhhh-factor/
November 29th, 2012 at 4:27 am
I read The Laughing Housewife too and thought exactly the same thing – what are the chances that two blogs I read have a post about dolphins on the same day!
November 28th, 2012 at 12:19 pm
Dolphins hide from me.If I’m on a boat, no one sees one while I am awake.
Love that you surprised the boys. You’re good.
November 28th, 2012 at 12:54 pm
I am super envious!!! Super!!
November 28th, 2012 at 12:56 pm
Your surprise swim with the dolphins definitely beats out my surprise trip to Disneyland. So now that you’ve pointed out that my surprises suck, I’m off to plan something great like the start of a zombie apocalypse. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure everyone knows it was your idea. Good show Thoughtsy. Good show.
November 28th, 2012 at 1:05 pm
So awesome! I spent an entire summer researching orca, during which time I saw many porpoises and dolphins but never got nearer to a single one than 15-20 yards. I still dream I’m swimming with them, though–and enjoy the experience vicariously when others do it in real life!
November 28th, 2012 at 2:38 pm
I’ve always wanted to swim with the dolphins (which should NEVER be confused with “swim with the fishes”). I am filled with envy and awwwwwwwwwww…
November 28th, 2012 at 3:45 pm
Awww that is adorable did the dolphin kiss you? 🙂
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
November 28th, 2012 at 6:09 pm
Wow, that’s cool. I want to ride a giant sloth but people keep telling me they went extinct like a million years ago or something.
November 28th, 2012 at 10:29 pm
A very cool adventure! Swimming with dolphins is incomparable.
Let Kiefer know that Epcot Center lets certified divers swim in the tank they have. It’s an unbelievable dive, and when I did it , they took individual pictures and group video.
They also tell family members where to stand and let the divers swim up to their families.
Plus it’s Disney world, so…
November 29th, 2012 at 1:53 am
I can’t tell who is more excited you or the dolphin. 🙂
November 29th, 2012 at 9:25 pm
How great is that????
November 30th, 2012 at 2:15 am
The series, Flipper, was a lot of fun back then, and super popular. Did well in the ratings, and many of us (including yours truly) even had Flipper lunchboxes. Love your photos. Looks like you had so much fun!
November 30th, 2012 at 8:46 am
Aww, I’ve always wanted to do this. I love dolphins. ❤
November 30th, 2012 at 9:40 pm
Love the photo. You (and Flipper) look so happy.
November 30th, 2012 at 10:34 pm
Fun! I absolutely love the photo, you look so thrilled!
December 1st, 2012 at 2:41 pm
I loveee that picture of you with the unknown named dolphin! You are so daamnnn cute!!
December 3rd, 2012 at 12:05 pm
YAY! I was able to swim with dolphins once and it’s amazing! I’m glad you were able to cross it off your list!
March 21st, 2013 at 7:26 am
[…] Please see Exhibit A for my love of penguins (specifically Pete), Exhibit B for my love of wolves, and Exhibit C for my love of dolphins. […]