Cretaceous Sea

Con was particularly charmed by the graceful swim-ming of the plesiosaurs. They found several kinds. The long- necked Elasmosaurs swam slowly while their heads snatched fish with the quickness of a snake's strike. A short-necked plesiosaur with a long head cruised swiftly through the depths searching for prey. They saw it chase down a small mosasaur and sever it in two with a single bite. They spotted a huge mosasaur swimming leisurely near the surface. Because it was close to forty feet long, Rick thought it was probably a Tylosaurus. Con insisted that they follow it. The creature terrified and fascinated her, in the way a traffic accident does. Viewed from above, it looked somewhat like a smooth-skinned crocodile, with flippers instead of feet and a flattened tail topped with a ridge-like fin. In a way, it's a beautiful creature, she thought. Wavy, dark blue stripes contrasted with its light olive skin. They were too high for her to see its fright-ening green eye.

Rick conscientiously watched Con for signs of lagging interest, but could detect none. She was animated by all she saw and filled with questions about everything. Even-tually, it was he who suggested that they do something different. Con agreed, and Rick told Joe to head for the sand bar where they had seen the basking plesiosaurs. It took them almost an hour to reach it.

The tide was low, and a portion of the sand bar was above water, forming a thirty-yard-long white comma in the turquoise sea. Over a dozen Elasmosaurs of varying sizes basked in the shallows, resting on the sandy bottom while exposing their backs to the air and sun. Rick turned to Con. 'Would you like to picnic here?'

Con's eyes lit up. 'Could we?'

'Joe, can you set her down?'

'Piece of cake.'

The airplane slowed as it neared the sand bar until it hovered above it. The craft's long silver wings shrank until they were mere slivers at the ends of the stubby black ones. Then Joe guided the plane down in a gentle vertical descent. Once they were resting on dry sand, the seats released their passengers, and the door opened in the rear compartment. Con kicked off her shoes and was the first one out the door. The Elasmosaurs were bunched together near the opposite end of the sand bar. All their necks were raised, and they watched her as she emerged from the plane. They were already losing interest by the time Rick and Joe climbed out. The animals' necks grad-ually went limp until they floated on the warm shallow water or draped over their neighbors' backs.

'They certainly look relaxed,' commented Joe.

Con walked down the sand toward the basking animals with Rick close behind. She slowed down as they got near. 'Will they bite?' she asked Rick.

'They're fish eaters, but that's all I know. They might bite.'

One of the closest reptiles lifted its neck above the water and rapidly swung it in their direction. Both Con and Rick jumped back. The animal's head halted ten feet way. Sharp conical teeth projected up and down from its closed lips, making it look both fierce and comical. It cocked its head and studied them with its golden eye. The creature's stare gave no indication of what thoughts, if any, it had of the strange invaders. After a minute, the neck swung away.

'Is anybody hungry?' Joe called out.

'I'm starving,' Con called back.

Joe went into the plane and brought out a large cooler covered with a beach blanket. They spread the blanket on the sand and sat down to eat. It was a perfect setting for a picnic. A slight breeze had picked up, cooling them as it created a soothing rhythm of gentle waves breaking on the sand. The basking plesiosaurs provided a languid note of interest in their tranquil surroundings. Pandit's lunch was delicious and ample. Soon Rick sat back, feel-ing full and perfectly content.

'Are you going to finish your sandwich?' asked Con, who had just eaten her second one.

'Have it. I'm stuffed,' said Rick. 'How can such a slender person eat so much?' Con bristled slightly. 'Are you asking if I'm souped?'

'No ... no ... not at all,' said Rick quickly, already regretting his comment.

'I'm not responsible for what happened before I was born.'

'Look, I...'

'I don't know why people make such a big deal over it.'

'Parents always want what's best for their kids,' said Rick, trying to mollify her

'So you approve?' cha'ienged Con.