Splash !

Going back to my database I discovered more pics of the April "07" storm.






And I can't figure if it's proper for a smile during a disaster! Senator Bruce Tarr and then Lt. Governor Kerry Healey....Now that I think of it,it must of been an election year!

Inspiration !

Ever since I can remember I was always interested in boats and ships of all types. Through the years I've collected books covering from the early days of sail to the navies of the world past and present. It didn't matter if it was a tramp steamer from the early 20th century or a modern luxury yacht. Growing up in Gloucester seeing the frieghters arriving in port brought an air of excitment to know here is something that travels the world's oceans coming to my home.The fishing vessels of all types and their different riggings made Gloucester harbor a symphony of it's workings. The wonder of a vessel when it's "high and dry" on the railways never ceased to amaze. Seeing a Fitz Henry Lane painting for the first time took my breath away. I could see from the light the angles and detail here is someone who shared many of my visions. I would wonder if Lane was alive today if he would he use a camera? Perhaps not,his talent was on canvas,but I bet he wouldn't hesitate to use one now and then. I guess that's what I see before I snap a picture....a Lane painting....sort of!

Wildlife!

Marine wildlife that is. Cape Ann sitting right smack dab in the Atlantic Ocean is teaming with critters of all shapes & sizes.Drawn by food,migration and who knows what else, all you have to do is look up down and around and there they are.

A Surreal night...

Just about 11:46 PM December 14 2007 as I was sitting at my computer I heard a call for a possible fire at 80 Middle Street over my police scanner.As usual I paid little attention to the call,most being a false alarm such as food on the stove.A few minutes later a call from the first responders indicated that a resident smelled smoke in the building.Shortly the firemen announced there was indeed smoke present and they would begin to look for the source. No more than 5 minutes went by and next I hear was: "Fire knocked down,looking for extension". Still, I wasn't sure of the exact location of the fire but was glad all seemed under control. Then I hear what really got my attention."Thermal imaging is showing fire in the floor below me and ceiling above"! Then I hear that there are 20 units in the building. "We are evacuating the residents". That's when I knew it was the Lorraine Apartments! GFD struck the second alarm. No more than a minute or two the 3rd & 4th alarms were sounded."We have a person trapped and are trying to get a ladder up" was the call I heard next.That's when I got up and went over to my bedroom window and looking across the harbor toward city hall was an ominous orange glow in the sky.Grabbed my camera,coat and gloves and headed downtown.Driving along E. Main St my attention was towards town and not the road! My senses kicked in,somehow I was driving on auto pilot! As I passed Camerons,a local night spot the orange glow was filling the sky. And out front were patrons oblivious to the conflagration!I almost felt like shouting out "Don't you know the city is about to burn"! It was a surreal feeling,awake on the edge of a nightmare.My next thought was where to park.I didn't want to get too close and take a chance of getting trapped by the fire apparatus. And not too far away....it was cold out,about 25 degrees. I ended up parking in the Gloucester Co-op Bank parking lot. By the time I got behind the apartment building, fire had busted through the back from floor to floor.Within 20 minutes back decks collapsed onto the Temple Ahavat Achim. The Temple was doomed. Fire worked it's way under the eaves charging the space with heat and fire. Smoke billowed from the temple roof,then fire. It was cold,I couldn't wear gloves and use a camera.But watching the efforts of the firemen I hardly noticed my own discomfort. My attention soon shifted to the Sawyer Free Library. Within feet of the Temple it would take luck and skill of our firefighters to save it. Burning embers were falling all around.If it weren't for the snow covered roofs,all of downtown would be in peril.Now I see the embers are heading to where I parked my truck.These were not just sparks falling from the sky,these were large hunks of flaming matter!About 2 AM,that's when I had seen enough and head home. Much was lost that night but one thing grew strong....the spirit of Gloucester! An outpouring of help for the victims came from all corners of our community and beyond!

May is here!

With the month of May now on the table it's time to think Summer! I wonder what this season will bring? Gas prices sky rocketing it's gonna be a challenge to get out onto the water. Signs of a slow boating season are in the want ads. Used power boats for sale is saturating the market.In the meantime I gotta get off my duff and start prepping mine. Last week it's winter cacoon was removed,interior washed and bimini and side curtains installed. The grunt work is yet to begin....painting the bottom! A necessary chore to prohibit marine growth.Using an ablative paint will keep those miliage robbing barnicals and gunk from sticking to the hull.Timing is the key,an ablative paint is a soft paint.Run the boat and anything clinging to it washes away.The trick is to launch the boat 16-24 hours after painting.Allowing the paint to be exposed to air any longer will harden the surface and loose it's affectivness.A no rain weekend and if possible temps at least in the 60's is what I'm hoping for....we'll see.
Anywho,time to look at summer's past:

A year ago this month

April sure brings the rain.We were dry for most of this month but last April brought not only flooding rains but also heavy winds & seas!

The Color Orange

Sunsets on Cape Ann may have many different shades of orange. Objects have a whole new meaning in this light!

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Colors

Gloucester Schooner Parade