When did you first see the ocean? What was it like?

[nothintolose]

Kinda pitiful but as a kid, I thought the Gulf of Mexico WAS the ocean. Every time we went to the Florida panhandle, I thought we were going to the ocean.

The first time I saw it was in MA and I was 25 and it was VERY foggy so it didn't really count. When I finally saw it with no fog, it was in CA about 2 years later, and I was surprised at how cold it was in July.

I don't remember it as vividly as I remember the first time I saw the turquoise color Margo mentioned of the Caribbean. That was 9 years ago. I could not believe water could be that color. I fell in love with it and the honeymoon continues.

[deejayjay]

Okay, all you costal people, I'm going to bite. I'm from Mo. Currently live in Ks. Didn't see the ocean until I was 12. Gulf coast of FL in the panhandle. And I disagree, the Gulf of Mexico IS the ocean. That would be like saying Maho Bay is not the ocean, only on a much larger scale. I couldn't believe the enormity of it. Looking out into the water and not being able to see any other land. The incredible blueness and clarity. And the whiteness of the sand. In Mo, lakes have mud bottoms. Usually the water is green or brown. You think of water being blue, but it's not unless it's a particularly clear day and you get a particularly good reflection from the sky. Have now also been to Texas coast. West coast, east coast, and Fla keys. All the oceans and locations are different. All beautiful in their own way. STJ is best. The ocean still scares me at night. The sound is good, but it's really scary to me to not be able to see what's out there. I'm not sure why.

[nothintolose]

Yes, it is part of the Atlantic Ocean, but it is not an ocean by itself. It's considered an ocean basin. And yes, the water in Florida is a goregous blue but nowhere near as gorgeous as the Caribbean.

[waterguy]

I was 24 working for a company that had a plant in PA we drove Alantic city I wasn't that impressed. I thought that lake Michigan better looking. I used to hear all the time so this is fresh water from clients on our charter boat when we were 25 to 30 miles off shore and could see land. Then I went to ST John and couldn't get over the color of the water

[deejayjay]

Nothing to lose- All very true. And nothing like st john. But when you live in the middle of the continent. It counts as ocean.

[CBama]

deejayjay:

I agree...I much prefer a beach vacation in the Gulf from Gulf Shores/Orange Beach to Destin to Panama City and even St Petersburg/Clearwater over any beach I have visited on the Atlantic side... (my Atlantic Ocean beaches only include Hilton Head, St Augustine, Daytona, Ft Lauderdale)...

BUT I love visiting any ocean!