SANDY!

Sandy here produced 65 mph sustained winds and gusts to 85 mph and from what I'm seeing and hearing the damage was on the light side. Trees and wires were down in spots leaving about 4000 Cape Ann residents without power. I was lucky, the power never flickered and the huge 80' willow tree out back remained intact. I was worried there for a while, the willow looked like it was being shaken like a crazed cheerleader shaking a pom pom! High tide at the Fish Pier. Rocky Neck Marine Railways Houseboat rides out the storm. Tide threatens the Paint Factory! Tide swollen Blynman Canal. Boat Ramp at high tide. Dun Fudgin shack surrounded by fallen leaves. Smith Cove Heavy equipment parked on a dirt pile at the below sea level Newell Stadium re-construction site. Tide threatens buildings on Rocky Neck. Pavilion Beach gets swallowed up! Rough seas outside the breakwater. Another view. Gulls take shelter at Brace Cove. Defiant gull! Bass Rocks Surf spectators. Under assault. The power of nature! The sound was deafening! It's getting dark. Huge wave comes in. Salt Island Traffic and breakers. Backside breaker! A pair of Coast Guard 47 footers race into the harbor. Damage on the Birdseye building. My boat made out ok, only a small dead branch and leaves!

The Calm Before The Storm!

Way before Hurricane Sandy was a tropical blip on the satellite screen I had planned to "haul hull" and end my boating season Saturday. As news of Sandy's growing strength and direction became apparent I had thoughts of leaving the boat at the slip since at home tree damage could be a concern. In the end I brought her home and now hope for the best. One thing I must do is power-wash the bottom to remove the algae, otherwise if allowed to dry it will become concrete hard and heavy sanding in the Spring would be the result. It was a great day to be on the water, with a gentle breeze and comfortable temps I was tempted to take a foliage ride up the river! But my nephew was waiting with my trailer at the ramp. Giant wind turbine begins to appear above the treeline! Lobster boat "Jupiter II" with escorts! Shooting into the sun. Gulls and schooner "Ardelle". Passing City Hall. Fishermen's Memorial in the background. The old Birdseye building in the background. Going through. Busy Blynman Canal. Winching up. Hunters head to the boat ramp. Out of the water. After power washing the bottom. I even power washed my balls....I use them as fenders to protect the boat from rubbing into the dock. My boat and my nephews Mako. And since the Mayor changed Trick or Trick to Sunday night due to the storm, Allie dressed as an angel! And here she is praying!

Fall Foliage!

The colors are bursting so I took a ride to a few of my favorite foliage sites. And while I was at it I stopped to see the progress on the new Newell Stadium. Tree moss. Archway at Buswell Pond. Reflective colors! Another view. Flock of birds reflect off the pond. Frog in my pond! Little River The passing clouds changes the light! Another view. Frenchman's Pier. Abandoned boat. Sailboat in the Great Marsh. Road to Boynton Island. Boynton Island and interesting grass texture. Newell Stadium This site is below sea level and it looks like more dirt has been brought in to raise the field. A strange sight this time of year! Fishermen's Memorial under a crescent moon!