SANDY AFTERMATH IN SURF CITY

I want to begin my blog today with pictures of our home in Surf City to show how very lucky we were with Sandy. We had no damage at all, nor have we had in the great hurricanes of 1939, or 1944 or the '62 storm which devastated the island in places(sparsely populated as it was in those days). With all of the new construction during the past decades especially on our street we expected not to always be so fortunate - but we were. Our particular few blocks are one of the highest on the island.

These two photos I snapped 2 days after the storm and we had already had a chance to clean up branches, sand and small debris.

The day after Sandy had departed our area, our driveway only had wind blown sand (as did our upper deck) and leaves and berries from our large 70 year old holly tree.

For those who know our area, Oakie's bull toppled from the roof and lay on the ground with a broken horn. It was soon righted and became a great photo op for the firemen who were ever present.

After checking neighbors homes, we walked towards the bay to do the same for friends there. The water had backed up in the bay when the winds shifted and flooded the roads, along with a lot of mud. Clean up wouldn't be easy.

Trucks were already coming around picking up debris that had floated into the street.

Walking back to the boulevard a few street further south, we saw stores with boarded windows that had memorable signs.

As the blue sky came out momentarily a rainbow appeared briefly over the stores.

Walking back to the ocean the sky had darkened again, and the waves were still strong.

Having heard that the ocean had breached the dunes 2 streets north of us on 24th, I walked there to see what had happened. The street itself by the boulevard (the central street on our 3 block wide barrier island) was a mess of sand and mud.

The old dune had essentially disappeared, as Nick, my sister's grandson stood on what was left.

The home that was built further out from its neighbors to get the best view paid dearly for the privilege. The ocean had undermined the lower floor, pavers that had previously led to the garage were scattered everywhere, and the steps that had led from the deck to the beach were ending mid air.

This is what was left of the ample dunes at the end of the street.

The beach itself had been lowered to the back sand layer left during the oil deposited during World War II when I was a child here, and across its surface flew clusters of white foam from the surf.

Walking back home I was again greeted with the "Island Lake" across the boulevard.

SANDY AFTERMATH

The following morning (Halloween) with the clouds still over the ocean I walked to the end of our street.

Barriers had been put in place over the night.

From our neighbor's deck, above the ruined dune fence, the view of the calm ocean was eerily beautiful.

Out on our bikes, we found the bay water had receded, leaving only broken fences in its place.

We decided to drive north, but before many blocks we were stopped by trucks lined up to remove sand from road - the new location of sand dredged out of the ocean by the Corps of Army Engineers in the beach replenishment the previous year.

Failing in that, we decided to check out the Surf City Yacht Club on 9th Street.

Though the Optis tucked under the deck on racks were safe, the grounds were a mess, and the "I dock" was gone.

Adjacent houses had wreckage in their yards, siding missing and boats off their trailers.

The street likewise was a mess of sand and debris.

This house was trying to return to its earlier red color.

Driving home I decided to take a short walk on the beach near our home. This walkway was no longer of use to anyone.

This is what remained of the beach replenishment at the the end of our street. The mass of dune fence was where I had photographed the ocean earlier in the day.

It was low tide, the beach was wide, flat, and unmarred. A beautiful scene.

But when climbing up to the street, the view reminded one of what had recently occurred.

SANDY AFTERMATH -NOVEMBER 1ST

November dawned bright and clear with the promise of a good day.

Climbing to the top deck of a neighbor's house I could see my husband looking out at the ocean from a lower vantage point.

After breakfast, not being able to get to Beach Haven where his boat is (or was) we decided to drive down to Hochstrasser's Marina where he kept an earlier boat, to see how it fared the storm. Parking and rounding the corner of the building, the first thing we saw was a boat, still attached at the bow by lines to the dock pilings, but with its stern and motor into the building above.

While standing there marveling at the sight, I noticed this flock of cormorants getting out of "dodge" as fast as they could.

The marina's dock was in shambles.

Some of the smaller boats were upset down in this normally well protected area.

In the yard boats that had been pulled before the storm were off of their blocks and jumbled together.

At home we walked up the street for another look at the ocean on this otherwise beautiful day.

As always it was a restful, yet invigorating view.

Hearing a lot of commotion at boulevard at the end of out street (something different than the continuing sound of helicopters and small planes) we walked down to investigate. It was an army of electric trucks, fire engines and police cars.

Having stopped to talk to to electricians earlier in the day, we were hoping the activity meant we might have electricity in our house soon. The gas had been turned off the day before in preparation, so besides being dark at home, except for candles it was now getting very cold.

Help had come from Alabama - and as one of our firemen said "these southerners really know how to work".

Arkansas had also send help, and this gentleman was happy to let me take his photo with the very attractive daughter of Police Chief Collins, Sara. We got electricity later that night, and TV. We are finally able to see what this monster storm has done to the Northeast - and get on the internet!! As I write this blog we are getting warmer too through the generosity of good friends who have loaned us electric heaters, and an incredible neighbor who picked them up and brought them to the island entrance, closed to everyone but officials at this time, and delivered to our home by our friendly police (now that they have stopped trying to get us to evacuate and accepted our presence). Thank you all, we are forever in your debt!!

OCTOBER ON THE NEW JERSEY SHORE

While waiting for the arrival of Sandy, hyped by the media to be "the Perfect Storm" as tropical storm/hurricane meets Nor'easter, it seemed the right time to update my blog. October is usually a special time at the shore and this one, thus far has been no exception.

The beaches are practically empty, the sky is blue, the goldenrod is still in bloom.

The last of the Monarchs have continued their long migration to Mexico, with only a few stranglers remaining.

The Laughing Gulls and Sanderlings are following the Sand Pipers South,

Leaving the beaches to the larger Herring Gulls for the winter.

The fishing continues from the beach,

even on colder days, but with perhaps less enthusiasm.

The surfers come out in droves when the waves are up - a common occurrence this time of the year.

Good rides are there to be had,

And the paddle boarders too try their luck.

Often the days end with beautiful sunsets reflected in the clouds over the ocean.

CRANBERRY HARVEST TIME

Last week, by invitation from our neighbor, Steve Lee, my sister and I took her grandson Nick, to experience the cranberry harvest in New Jersey. The Lees have harvested cranberries for 7 generations on their property in Woodland, a short distance from our Island. I hadn't seen a harvest for several years, so it was a treat for me.

The bog that they were harvesting that day was filled with water and the cranberries had been freed from their plants to float to the surface.

A west wind had blown the berries to the eastern shore of the bog where they were ready to be gathered.

Near the shore of the bog a few wild flowers had managed to survive the flooding and poked their heads above the red sea.

Nick, properly attired helped the crew rake the berries away from the shore so that they could be enclosed within the advancing boom.

The final few were handled by the owner Steve Lee III.

The berries were forced to the gathering place where a submerged pipe sucked them into a large tube.

The berries were drawn up, separated from the water and deposited into the bed of waiting trucks. Can't wait till Thanksgiving!!