Well this was certainly an emotional roller coaster ride for me this week. From reaching my halfway point on Monday January 24th, 2011 and surfing on the coldest day of the year the same day. To attending a good friend's wake and funeral, to having a first ever ALL Photographer Surf Session at a premiere point/reef break. It was a series of days and events that left my head spinning more than Michael Sander's endless 360's at MBRE's.

I need to start on Monday January 24th, 2011.

It was my halfway point of my 365 Day "Catch a Wave For Molly" fundraiser. And it also happened to be the COLDEST DAY of the year. Hell, it was the coldest Day in the last 5 years. One of the Top 3 coldest days on record. How cold was it? Well, it was Minus 5 degrees below zero when I went out. They say with the Wind Chill factor thrown in, it was 25 below zero. The mere fact that the coldest day occurred on my halfway point is one of those unexplainable occurrences that "can't be scripted!". Yet it happened. And let me tell you. It was cold.

It was so cold that the water froze on my wetsuit and board. It was so cold that there were chunks of ice floating in the water with me. Chunks of ice! I surfed in Sea Smoke. That's when the water is warmer than the air and creates a smoke like affect. It is very cool to see. And even cooler to surf in. My daughter Gabby tagged along to shoot video and stills that day. I have not seen the video yet, but the stills were impressive. She was colder than I was.

I know that some of my close friends would find it amusing to think, that it was so cold, that my mouth and face became so numb, that I could hardly speak. But that was true. Still we can't escape the fact, that the coldest on record, fell on my exact halfway point. Unbelievable. So I guess it's safe to say, that it's all downhill from here? But I won't say that. There's no such thing as safe bets around these parts in the dead of winter. I know that. But I feel good knowing that I turned that all important corner.

When I get to Day 300 I'll really consider myself "almost there" or as we used to say in the Corps..."I'm getting short". I'll be an official "short timer" and I know, the last 65 days will be very interesting to say the least.

That same night was the Wake for our good friend Allen McCarthy. And speaking of the saying "You couldn't script this" when my wife Cory and I pulled up to the Funeral home who should pull up next to us and walk in with us? Molly's parents Buck and Meighan. Here I am on the coldest day of the year, and having reached my halfway point and I meet up with (unintentionally) Molly's parents. Well let me just say, that standing in line with Buck and Meg just reaffirmed my motivation and belief in what I am doing in memory of their little girl. I only knew Molly for two years. But in that time I knew how special she was and is.

Wakes and funerals are sad as a rule. Being at Allen McCarthy's wake and funeral with Buck and Meg was a mixed bag of emotions. Allen lived a good long life. Molly's was cut short. The wake for Allen was more of a celebration of his life and his devoted family. And it is his family that holds it all together. The fact that the McCarthy family had decided that in lieu of flowers and donations that all donations go to the MollyRowlee fund was heart warming. That night at Allen's Wake I became stronger and more determined than ever to finish my undertaking with love and respect for the Rowlees and this seacoast community.

This entire seacoast community have never faltered in their support for the Rowlees.

Allen McCarthy was quite the icon here at North Beach in Hampton. He was loved and admired by all who knew and loved him. With his loving wife Jane and seven kids, Lisa, Jay, Taryn, Stephen and Susan, Timothy and John Duffy and their spouses. With his many grandchildren and great grandchildren The McCarthy's have been a part of this seacoast community for many many years. I've known the family personally since the early 70's. And I don't think there was ever a time when I didn't feel welcomed by any member of the McCarthy family.

The eulogy that Lisa read at the funeral Mass was one of the best I have ever heard. And trust me I've seen and heard enough in my life. In fact, I wrote and read both of my parents eulogies. So I am quite familiar with the task at hand in both writing one and reading one. And I can say without any hesitation, that Lisa did an outstanding job. And it was quite a fitting tribute to this wonderful man.

The day of his funeral I caught my wave for Molly and then I went back out and caught a wave for Allen. Rest in Peace Al you are back home again.

Allen McCarthy June 24-1927-January 21, 2011. Cape Hatteras 1980's circa.
Photo courtesy of the McCarthy family.

The day after Allen's funeral WMUR TV 9 came down to 18th Street to do a short piece on
my "Catch A Wave For Molly". I mentioned it to Meg Rowlee and she agreed to appear on camera. Buck was away on business. I know how hard it was for Meighan to do this. But she did a wonderful job and came across beautifully on TV. This is after all a Fund Raiser. We
are trying to raise money to help other families battling cancer and also to keep the memory of Lil Miss Molly in our daily lives.

The day after the Channel 9 story aired, there was a front page story that came out in the local paper, and again, this mission and more importantly, Molly's name was out there again to garner more attention and potential funds. There will be more I'm sure. And I know that I am just the vehicle for this message of love and support. Surfing is just the tool I am using to build this foundation of support. When this is all said and done I will reprint a story that my friend wrote ten years ago in SURFER Magazine about my first 365 Day quest. His words will echo true some 10 years later.

Speaking of friends. This past week my good friend and fellow adventurer The PHANTOM
took a boat trip into the hellish channel at Half Moon Bay to witness first hand the Mavericks experience. Ironically he was witness to the near tragedy of Jacob Trette who nearly drowned when a freak set hit the line-up. The photos and captions that the Phantom penned himself tell the harrowing tale of the Big Beasts at MAVERICKS and the brave souls who surf that infamous reef. It's all here this week.

The week ended on a good note when, not one, not two, not three, but FOUR Photographers descended on a local surf break and surfed flawless waist to chest high perfection. It was the FIRST EVER ALL PHOTOGRAPHER SURF SESH! Brian Nevins, Michael Sander, myself and Ed O'Connell on the beach "shooting the shooters". It was classic. The only thing missing was Joe Carter, Nick LaVecchia, and John Carden. But then again, there were (I swear) just 3 waves to every set. It is rare that the three of us are out together at any one given break, but to have the three of us out with NO ONE ELSE at this spot? And Ed O'Connell documenting each and every wave? Come on! That's magic. That's insane. That's New England.

We named the reef MBRE's...figure out why we call it that.

So this was a week to remember for sure. A few firsts along with many enjoyable days of breathtaking New England scenes. And most of them were captured on film. This neck of the woods is a special place for all of us. We are lucky to have what we have. And the underlying factor remains my friends...and that is: " Surfing Heals All Wounds."


Now for some of my Weekly Global Observances:

Looks like there's trouble over there in EGYPT. Man...I guess President Mubarak has lost some of his charm. The Egyptians are not happy. And it looks like they won't soon back down until something gives. The problem is, Mubarak will unleash the hounds on the protesters. Be interesting to see what Obama does if anything. The Middle East is still a pressure cooker for so many countries. I blame all the Reality TV shows on the unrest over there. Last year it was IRAN and this year it's EGYPT. They see Jersey Shores and "Snooki" and they want to live like that. They see American Idol and they want that fame. They see the Housewives of Hampton Beach and they want a piece of that as well. What? There is no Housewives of Hampton Beach Reality TV show? My bad. I guess that one is still in production.

My point is the more they see how the West lives, the more they realize that this dictator bullshit is getting tired. People want to be free. Imagine that?

So I saw that Jack La lane passed away at age 96. Now there was one tough cookie. That guy seemed to never grow old or weak. He could do more pushups and sit ups than anyone out there. My late mother used to exercise to his TV show. I remember his dog sitting beside him. With him in his one piece jump suit. Classic character. Rest in Peace Jack.

Finally, the Green Bay Packers are Playing the Pittsburgh Steelers in the SUPERBOWL.
I want the Packers to win and that's all I have to say about that.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: THE RUN REDUX IS OUT! Pick one up in the shops or email me
and order one directly.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Remembering Danny Miller this past week. 4 years since he left us.
Rest in Peace Jack La lane.
Rest in Peace Rose Olivo January 23, 2011.
Happy Birthday Courtney Hayes February 1st!
Happy Birthday Jean Dombrowski February 3rd!
Happy Birthday Jill Dobsen and Mary Ellen Torrisi February 5th!
Happy Birthday Bryon Rivers February 6th!

Don't forget to Check the DAILY BLOG on My CATCH A WAVE FOR MOLLY. (Click
On the Banner on this page.) Started on July 26, 2010 ENDS July 26, 2011. A Wave
a day for 365 consecutive days. Just click on the banner ads on this page.

CHECK OUT THE NEW/Old YESTERDAY PAGE! ALL OLD New England and
beyond Surf Pics! *NEW PICS added each week!

*Check out the NEW updated DROPPING IN ON RALPH blog Section.
ALL of December and January will be up before the end of this month . The DROPPING IN ON RALPH section will be up to DATE as soon as I can find the time to do it. There's just so much a man can do in a single day. But I do want to update that as it is entertaining to say the least. Because there's some great letters from you guys from all over the world. (And a few hurtful ones too). But check it out.
*This is the blog section of this website where you can write in and comment. The only downside of this blog is, you actually have to use your REAL Name. No hiding behind some fake handle and name. If you want to comment, you have to man up, and be yourself. I will post all comments, both good and bad. You just have to be yourself.

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as a GREAT Gift Idea. A nice framed photo of your favorite Surfer!

Remember my friends...Surfing Heals All Wounds....
Pray for Surf. Pray for Peace. Surf For Fun.

Ralph