Today we made our way [slowly] back from Key Largo. The water was so beautiful we stopped about twelve times to stare down through it. The seas were so calm we could see straight through twenty feet of blue to the reefs below. Just so you know: that never happens.

We went snorkeling for an hour or so at a gorgeous reef teeming with fish and some of the healthiest coral in the Keys. Unfortunately, I saw one too many sharks and had to relax on board for a little while (they tend to freak me out for some reason). Nurse sharks are okay but reef, lemon, sand, etc. sharks tend to make my skin crawl. In fact, the entire underwater experience, while amazing and life-altering at times, tends to creep me out. It’s just not my territory and I fear I’ll never be completely comfortable there. It feels like I’m leaving Earth and exploring the vast, unexplored reaches of outer space.

Maybe next time I’ll be less freaked out. In the meantime, I’ll keep looking at the reefs from the boat—it seems much safer there for the moment.