{"id":2458370,"date":"2020-05-13T05:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-05-13T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/?p=325613"},"modified":"2020-05-13T05:00:00","modified_gmt":"2020-05-13T11:00:00","slug":"britta-gustafson-informed-by-the-current","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/local-news\/britta-gustafson-informed-by-the-current\/","title":{"rendered":"Britta Gustafson: Informed by the current"},"content":{"rendered":"
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As mountain-raised kids, we didn\u2019t have the ocean in our backyards to teach us how to ride a wave; but we learned early, and mostly from cautionary tales, that nature can be as ruthless as it is majestic. All is fair in love, war and nature.<\/p>\n

Survival, we were taught before field trips and outdoor education weeks, is all about respecting the power of nature and accepting it\u2019s fickle state. Assume nothing, learn from mistakes and adapt quickly to an unforgiving climate when necessary. We were groomed to prepare for the worst and learned that the necessary abundance of caution applied to everyone from the most experienced on down.<\/p>\n

But it was my introduction to the ocean that taught me about the true power of nature. I was 5, maybe 6 years old the first time I was allowed to run barefoot into an incoming wave. I had fantasies about spontaneously growing gills and a fin and joining Sebastian and Ariel in an underwater musical.<\/p>\n

But the sand was hot and instantly thwarted my run. Two strides in my little feet sunk and then wham, I was facedown tasting sand way before the salty turquoise waters were even within reach. Rebounding with urgency off the heated surface, I continued my run, more out of burning necessity than enthusiasm. Reaching the ocean\u2019s edge, the cooler sand was a great relief, and arms spread wide, ready to dive, I embraced the oncoming wave. All I can remember is a gulp of sea water, then seeing the sky followed by the frothy underwater, gagging and gasping for air as my small body was folded in two.<\/p>\n

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