Tropical Storm Ana
Yea, well, if you’re not from the Eastern Shore, you might not understand that there are a few die-hards who don’t mind the cold water or getting sandblasted just to watch the huge waves tumble in or see the surfers in action. Let me be more fair and honest; there are people who live on the Eastern Shore that wonder why there are some who will do this ‘stupid’ stuff. (Big Laugh!) Hey, it’s an adventure that doesn’t happen every day and besides, this was only a Tropical Storm OUT of season. Wonder if that’s the shape of things to come?
Pier in the distance
The air was moist, very humid (i.e. tropical) and the wind was rolling the waves so high, it was spreading the wave misted droplets far and wide. From the circle, I could barely see the pier that was a couple of miles up the coastline. Eerie except the sun was shining a good bit of the time, giving the droplets the illusion of outdoor LED’s or, as I saw it, daytime lightning bugs. Might have a vivid imagination but let’s face it; the beach IS somewhat ethereal during a storm such as this.
Chasing the storm
People were in abundance out on the sand and the water, as I’m always glad to see with this type weather because they have no fear in watching the great force of Mother Nature as she whips through the area. Lots of lawn chairs with bathing-suited bodies, the occasional whiff of Coppertone tanning lotion, the roar of waves that would form far from shore only to crash hard on the shoreline, mom’s holding their kiddo’s hands while walking along the edge of the water. People were talking and laughing but there was no sound except for big, crashing waves. Every sound except that was swallowed. No fear here however, just an enjoyment of the storm that was provided on a grand scale. (All storms are on a grand scale, even the little ones). Since these peeps were die-hards, they were most likely stress-less. One point for TS Ana.
Here it comes
Surfers
The pier made it’s way to the viewfinder; I don’t know which was more impressive, what I saw with the zoom lens or what I could see with my eyes. Either way, the mighty Atlantic was quite a sight, looking angry and trying to rearrange anything and everything in it’s path. Yes, it can also rearrange the pier, and has many times over the years. Standing under the pier, wave after eternal wave crashed into those heavy poles, fighting for the chance to knock one down. To the left, those tall waves crashed to the shore and the pier. To the right, they crashed on the shore unhindered. A couple of surfers were doing their best to ‘ride the waves’ but they weren’t cooperating well enough to be ridden. As high as the waves were out where they were, the tops crashed too quickly instead of making a perfect little curl in which to stand on the board and ride. Not the “Pipe” (Pipeline) by any stretch of the imagination but a surfer is a surfer is a surfer. A+ for their spunk and gumption.
Determination
Two days later, it’s now Tropical Depression Ana and she is dropping rain fast and hard. Rafting anyone? Hurricane Season officially begins June 1st. Until then, this amateur stormchaser will find other storms to chase and hopefully capture more moments in time.
And still it stands
Love
Nanny
The Laughing Nanny 