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November 2nd, 2014 The RUN is 34 out of 35 Weeks Waist high or better, at least once a week. There was Chest to head high surf on Saturday November 1st, 2014. |
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 The first signs of Snow, another ass kicking Nor'easter, and the final service for surfer John "JT" Taylor. I guess I was surprised when I first saw them. Though you would think that after being around these parts for as long as I have been, I would not be. I'm talking of course about the first signs of snow this morning. I guess I was not quite ready for this. And look I have said many times in the past that snow is all part of the complete ambiance of living here in New England. And I remember back in either 09 or 2010 when it snowed pretty hard on Halloween. So no surprise there.  This is the view from outside my office door. Those white specks you see is snow. When I was shooting the surf earlier I was under dressed. And I was cold. Cold and snow. On November 2nd, 2014. Is this a sign of things to come? I don't know. I just know that I was not quite ready for this to happen. Not yet. Not now. I still see green leaves on the trees. But like the rest of you. I will suck it up and deal with it. I really don't have any other logical choices. The Nor'easter that brought the white stuff was really packing some wind and rain yesterday. Damn. It was loud and it was long. That wind howled all night. Relentless pounding outside my windows. I halfway expected to see trees down, or at the very least, some big branches strewn about the yard. But I saw neither. Which was good. Though something tells me, that the damage that was done to the trees last night would still occur, in some far off future storm. The surf is cleaning up as I type these words. There is no sun per se, but there are cleaner looking faces to be had for those who can hit it. There is still size too. Though it will be waning as the day goes on. And don't forget we all lost an hour last night. Setting the clocks back again. Like why on earth do we do this? What is the logical concept behind this clock fiasco? I mean Good Lord, are we not capable of dealing with ONE freaking time all year? It's just stupid. But look it's still going off.  I know it's hard to see here. But there are at least a dozen guys out. Magic seaweed has the swell dropping overnight to just a foot or two tomorrow . As much as I think this can't happen, the wind has not really let up. So it maybe just today. Though they have more surf scheduled later in the week. And I will admit, that the surf forecasting has been pretty damn accurate these past few years. Yesterday a whole bunch of older local surfers attended the final memorial service for John "JT" Taylor.  Local NH surfers line the walls in the same room that JT and Abbey held their reception some 30 years ago.  Allen Bigbee wore the hat that late surfer Steve "Neddie" Nelson once owned. We have lost too many surfers in the last 10 years. As some of you will recall we had quite a significant surfers paddle for JT this past July. And as nice and moving as it was, the family needed something more. And yesterday, those who did not surf were able to make that happen in York Maine. The family and friends who spoke, were both eloquent and very moving. The day was started by Reverend Rob Stevens, himself a surfer. His words set the tone for all who followed.  Like Brooke Taylor seen here. Brooke is JT's daughter and her words were just beautiful and heartbreaking. There was not a dry eye in the house. Including me. It was so touching to hear of JT's final words with his only child. Everyone present felt a sense of pride and admiration for her brave accounting of those final moments.  It's easy to get caught up in our day to day activities. We all have so much on our plates these days that we lose touch with what is really important. Facing mortality within a close knit family can be a daunting task. Humor and a good positive attitude is key. And JT had that in spades. I was fortunate to be able to see and talk with JT about a month before he passed. It was a chance encounter. I will spare you all the details here, but suffice it to say, that we covered everything. From our long past together (I met JT in 1971). The mentioning of past friends who are no longer with us. To our current family members and friends. And of course about surfing. (That's his board below). I left that chance encounter fully enriched with a powerful feeling of love and respect for him. And I think, or rather, I know he felt the same. And as we parted, we hugged and told each other that we loved one another. And that we would meet on top of that hill we are scaling.  I left him with no regrets that afternoon. And a feeling, that I would see him again, though not on this world. And I will be looking forward to that day. Whenever that day comes. I will be ready to say hello again.  There was a table full of memories of JT's 60 years on the planet. Rest in Peace JT...we will all see you again someday. Not today. Not tomorrow. But someday. "Surfing Heals All Wounds" |
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Don't forget to go back and read the whole DAILY BLOG on My CATCH A WAVE FOR MOLLY. (Click On the Banner below on this page.) Started on July 26, 2010 ENDED July 26, 2011. A Wave a day for 365 consecutive days. |
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Yesterday- Jimmy Gray The Fall of 1980. (Below) Jimmy Gray was a good surfer. I mean he had style and power. And he had a keen sense of where to be and where not to be. Both in the water and on land. He reminded me of a tall version on OCCY. Though Occy was not even born when Jimmy was tearing up the NH surf scene. One day Jimmy packed his bags and left. Never saw him again. I heard he's still surfing out west. I made a short video from this session down in the video section. You should check it out. Photo by RALPH |
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 All PHOTOS BELOW SHOT THIS WEEK *Unless otherwise noted. |
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Today-Cold Raw First November Swell. November 2, 2014. Photos by RALPH  (Above) The last two days were cold, raw, wet, rainy and snowing. November 2nd, 2014. Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery  (Above) The swell semi cleaned up Sunday morning. It was clean enough for the local rippers to have at it. Perry Reynolds takes off. November 2nd, 2014. Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery |
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 (Above)*For the record, we have bought all of our JEEPS from Lansdale JEEP the last 23 years, and have not had a single regret. They are the BEST!! *Click on the Ad above to see more! |
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 (Above) Not sure who this is. I was shooting from inside my vehicle. I was not going to get wet this morning. November 2nd, 2014. Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery |
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 (Above) This was a fun swell. October 24th, 2014. Photo by Pete Bauer *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery |
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Today-More pics from last week. October 25th, 2014. Photos by Bailey Fogel  (Above) The sun rises on October 25th, 2014. Photo by Baily Fogel *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery |
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 (Above) A scene right out of the 60's. Craig Grimes walking the walk the thousands have walked before him. October 25th, 2014. Photo by Baily Fogel *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery |
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| Today- The October-November Local Talent Gallery Photos by various photographers  (Above) David and Peter from TRUFFLE at the CR Party of the year. This was a great local band. If you ever get the chance check them out. There is no dead weight in this band. November 2nd, 2014. Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery  (Above) Todo Bien at the Casino on Halloween night October 31, 2014. Photo by courtesy of Todo Bien * Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery |
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 (Above) My first ever solo gig on acoustic. Flatbread Hampton, NH October 30, 2014. Photo by RALPH (Via Video frame grab) *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery |
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 (Above) This gallery is chock full of all kinds of wave riding crafts. Maybe I should be more like the Phantom and shoot everything. Shortboards, longboards, belly boards, and SUPS. On second thought, I should hold steady and shoot what I shoot. The others can shoot the various crafts out there. I'm just not that liberal (yet). One thing is for sure. The Phantom knows how to navigate around the crusty west coast. Summer-Fall 2014. Photo by The Phantom *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery |
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