The "JoJo: Part II - The Adventure" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Talking with Randy about his encounter with JoJo the dolphin in the waters of Grace Bay Beach directly in front of the Ocean Club Resort on the island of Providenciales.  JoJo has been known to patrol the waters of the Turks & Caicos Islands and interact with humans on his daily rounds.  I told of the encounter Carol and I had with him in my story yesterday.  A week of so ago Randy was using his personal handheld Sea-Doo watercraft off the beach in front of the resort where he owns a condo.  After a few passes back and forth in the water he felt he was being followed by something.  Then he sighted JoJo closeby.  One of Randy's friends also has a personal watercraft and has patrolled with JoJo from time to time.  Randy thought maybe JoJo heard the familiar sound of the engine and went in search of his friend.  Randy made a few runs back and forth with JoJo at his side and then, with snorkeling mask in place, headed underwater for a few trips back and forth.  He told me JoJo was perhaps five feet in length and 135 pounds in weight and made noises as he swam.  On one occasion, Randy moved his hand as if to touch JoJo when JoJo left him know through his motions that wasn't going to be part of the deal today.  

Photo by Tom McDowell

Randy and JoJo played and then Randy began to follow JoJo as he headed toward the reef which is a few hundred yards from shore.  Just as they began their final trip along the shore, Randy's best friend and fellow diver, Tom, managed to catch, if just for an instant, the encounter with JoJo.  After some time Randy decided he didn't want to follow him into deeper waters and headed back toward shore.  JoJo must have had his interaction for the day and didn't follow Randy back towards shore.  As I listened to Randy tell of the sighting and eventual interaction with the much beloved National Treasure, I could sense the excitement in his voice and see the glint in his eyes as he described what will certainly be a memory he will never forget.  Neat to have had the chance, if only for a short time, to be treated to a swim with JoJo.  For Randy, an experienced diver and lover of the sea and scuba diving, the experience is one that will be told over and over again to give him the chance to relive it once again.  It was an another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.