Respecting the greatness of the Ocean

Respect it.
Simple as that.

Yesterday I had the chance to travel down to the Delaware Beaches. After all, Earl was a non event, and the storm surges were anticipated to be 6-15 feet. I did see some of the 12 foot waves, a little more north of where I was there were waves that were 12 to 20 feet in height.

Again the ocean and its power is just awesome.

Its untamed beauty, its powerful, and its something that needs to be respected. As the afternoon wore on, the tide went out, the sun came out, the waves were still relentless, some of them smaller, I'd say 5-10 foot swells, a few bigger, but you could see where rip currents were forming in the water. Because of the danger of rip currents, most people that were swimming, and body surfing came out of the water at this time. The beach that I was on was unguarded, so it was a swim at your own risk type thing. But still it was a sight to see.

All up and down the east coast, traffic was hampered from cancellation of trains to suspension of the ferry at Cape May. Again, it goes back to that one word. Respect. Lives could not be put at risk to get people from one point to another in possible 10 to 20 foot storm surges. I'm sure people would rather have the inconvenience of not using a ferry and having their life spared. I know I would.

When I arrived at the beach it was very very gray. Just a month ago, when I traveled to Ocean City in N.J, the water had a very very sparkly blue color to it, very much different than the contrast of gray that I had. About 4pm the clouds and the rain started to break up, the remnants of Earl were leaving, the storm surges were calming, and would continue to calm through the night.

Leaving the rest of the weekend with great anticipated weather for one last trip to the beach for a fitting summer farewell.

Me?
Well all I can hope for is another hurricane, or Nor' Easter to make landfall, and if I can, I'll be heading back to my favorite spots on the beach, and paying another 8.00 to park my car, but its something I don't mind doing as much as other things. Its a long drive for just a few hours at the beach, but to me its so worth it.

I found that even in the rain, not heavy rain sprinkles and showers, that it was so very very relaxing. Because of the high tide, I was unable to collect many shells or photograph much of anything washed up by the sea but just to sit there on the sand, and have the warm water, yes warm, wash over your feet was a nice break from life. Even as gray as the skies and water was to start with, its still a very very majestic, and awesome site to behold.

Until Next time
Mooch