Daytona Beach - Shovel

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I found this flat shovel in the Atlantic Ocean. The shovel was located in 4.5 feet of water about 20 feet off shore on Daytona Beach Shores, Florida. When I first spotted the shovel I thought it was a shark or a sting ray, but it didn't move so I kept watching it and noticed that not only was it stationary but it appeared to be more regularly shaped than most fish. After about 3 minutes I worked up the courage to stick out my hand and grab the narrow end of the submerged image. Any other time it would be something crazy to do. This time I wound up with a shovel instead of missing a hand. I pulled the shovel to shore and my Dad packed it in the car and we brought it back to Gadsden, Alabama 4 days later.

I found this shovel in July of 1980. This was the summer after I graduated from high school. My parents decided to celebrate this achievement by taking the family to Daytona Beach and Disney World. I drove over half way to Daytona Beach. I had never driven for over 8 hours. I can remember being extremely tired. The experience was one of the most exhausting times I can remember. Driving home was similar. I drove over 6 to 8 hours that day also.

The day after I came home I had to go back to work. This was almost the differentiation of my life from high school to college and adulthood (If you believe I've actually made it to adulthood.).