Where is your favorite place?

I'm talking nature here. What has been your best experience away from civilization?

For me, there is a state park in Florida (I'm not saying the name on purpose, I don't want it degraded by high traffic) that is my absolute favorite place on Earth. Its a protected beach. The water is the most perfectly clear ocean water I've seen - the closest color would be aqua. You can see your toes with minimal distortion in neck-deep water. Very calm surf.

We had rented snorkeling gear and immediately set out exploring the waters. The ocean was very mild and flat; the bath-warm water stayed about 10-15 feet deep for hundreds of yards away from the shore. Massive schools of minnows darkened the shallow water in patches hundreds of square feet apiece. They would pelt into you with no regard, it felt like sticking an arm out of a fast car's window during a stiff rain. Coral was growing in areas, varied sea vegetation in others - all very intricate and delicate. The amount of biodiversity was shocking. Octopi and nurse sharks prowled the floor next to buried rays that were broader across than a hula-hoop. Spiny lobsters the size of small dogs crawled among the deeper rocks. I wish I knew all the species of fish I was seeing. Clearly, we had found a thriving ecosystem.

If you lazily floated in the deeper water, you would attract a small groupings of fish that swam in your shadow for protection. They were only about 1-2 inches in length, but very shiny, round, and cute. After diving to the floor and kicking around for a bit, I scared away all but one little Rainbowfish friend. We hung out for many minutes and explored; the little dude always in my wake. I eventually came upon the javelin of a barracuda, keeping station a little ways from me. It was about 2 and a half feet in length, and I swear its head and toothy jaws accounted for the first 8-10 inches of it. Of course I slowly approached to see it better. Suddenly, the predator sprung at me like an arrow being loosed from a longbow. I barely had time to raise my eyebrows in alarm before my little Rainbowfish was captured and bitten in half. I had forgotten him, I had betrayed him. He looked to me for protection, and I let him down in the most complete way. I needed a moment to recover from that raw display of nature's power, but I really appreciated the event I just witnessed.

So without a doubt this certain strand of pristine beach is the most profound spot in the world for me, I can't wait to return and lose many hours just exploring it again.

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Lets hear some stories!