Of Tides, Red and Crimson

It's such an easy observation to make, that it's barely worth noting. But because it's such an easy observation to make, I'd be derelict in my duty as a reporter if I didn't make not of it.

What exactly am I talking about? The city of Jacksonville is being visited by not only the Crimson Tide this weekend, but by a red tide.

Those of you who didn't grow up in coastal communities have probably never heard of a red tide. Heck, I grew up in south Mississippi and I'd never heard of it until yesterday.

But here's the deal: the red tide is a periodic ecological phenomenon that occurs when red algae blooms near the coastline. According to this Florida Times-Union story, it hasn't happened in Jacksonville since 2002.

The red tide can be terrible for fishermen and fish in general, given that it secretes a toxin that can kill marine life in abundance. It also releases toxic gas into the air that causes throat and skin irritation along the beach area.

We got a lung full of the red tide's effects when we ventured down to Jacksonville Beach Friday night to check out the Lynyrd Skynyrd Freebird Cafe (which is run by Ronnie Van Zandt's widow and daughter incidentally). As soon as we got out of the car, we started coughing and wheezing as if someone had released a tear gas canister.

Just about everyone along the beach boardwalk was having similar problems. Since the Freebird Cafe had a live band Friday night and wasn't serving food, we ventured down to the Bleachers sports bar to watch West Virginia-South Florida.

It was there that we encountered the Crimson Tide in full force. There were at least two Alabama fans for every FSU supporter, an impressive showing considering that Tuscaloosa is 500-odd miles from Jacksonville, while Tallahassee is just 170.

Since the place was packed, we had to sit outside, exposing us to the red tide's effects once again. But it wasn't anything a cold Budweiser couldn't cure.