The Lesson at Point of Rocks

At the south end of Siesta Key there's a spot called Point of Rocks, where the sand quits being famous and the shoreline turns to coral ledges and tide pools.

Locals know it for the snorkeling. I know it for a line it gave me: past Point of Rocks the tide goes out — lesson finally learned.

The tide out there is honest. It comes in like it'll stay forever and leaves like it was never coming back, twice a day, no apology. Took me longer than I'd like to admit to figure out people can work the same way — and that the ones worth keeping are the ones you don't take for granted like high tide.

Anyway. If you go, wear water shoes. The lesson is free but the coral isn't soft.