Secret File: Sand Tsunami

Secret File #034

Sand Tsunami

We encountered the sand tsunami on vacation, of all the unfortunate places. We'd headed north of north to the shores of the Reverse Flowing River just as it had flipped backside up and outside under. On a proper exposition we would have equipped our sand tsunami surf suits, of course. Let this be a listen on "packing light." How can anyone go anywhere on a mere 27 suitcases?

Spying the outlines of the tsunami, and entirely unequipped, I remembered the advice of Professor Albie Wright: "Make do, not doo doo." I rounded up a flying disc, a bucket and a fishing pole, rigged with a bobber. The tsunami rose up to the east, as long as east was to my right. It soared a good 50 feet overhead, or at least high enough to obscure the view of my sandaled feet. I cast the pole and bobber into the air so I'd be found if pulled under, pulled the bucket over my head to create an air pocket and positioned the flying disc under my rear to ride out the charging storm.

It worked perfectly. The mighty sand wave lifted into the summer eve like Icarus soaring through the skies before things went astray. I gained so much confidence I ripped the bucket from my head to take in the world from this rare vantage. Lucky I did. A passing airplane packed to the gills with gawking passengers came right for my forehead. I ducked away and then waved the bobber in a zig zag to spell out in the line, "Greetings, sky riders!" I thought it a nice touch and later learned this went viral in the surrounding archipelago.

The sand tsunami, nicknamed Sandy Tsu, glided to a smooth landing some 15 leagues northeast of our vacation spot, if a league means about 12 feet and northeast is a few houses away. I inquired about catching a sand wave back in the other direction, but the elements would not bend. I hoofed it back in the car of my travel partner, who hunted me down after a confusing phone call and an exchange of texts that ended with the partner sharing another bit of yarn for the wisdom ball, "You don't seek adventure. Adventure seeks you."

Off to rest, but always on guard.

T.S.