Matthew, Broken Ribs, Anniversary, Brady, and Trump.

I'm not one for touting the familiar "I told you so" type of rhetoric, but...I did tell you all about Matthew, and hurricanes in general. You just can't predict where the hell they will go. The weathermen are currently fond of using the "cone of uncertainty" line. I have to say, I like it. Because it's true. None the less, everyone up here in Northern New England, and I mean everyone, was making plans for Matthew. And those plans were finally put to rest, after Matthew took a turn for the worse.



This was not what we had all made plans for. That dam Matthew took a hard right off the coast of Florida, and then headed back to Florida. Now that ain't right. The whole east coast was waiting with bated breath, until the little bastard gave us all the slip. Florida on the other hand was getting huge surf. Same with the Bahamas and South Carolina.

Everyone from Jersey north, got skunked. I personally did not check to see what Florida was getting, because I know the media will be shoving all those images and video in our faces. And you know what? I'm truly stoked for them. So be sure to tune into ESM's website. They will have the goods and then some. Lucky sons of bitches.

There's surf out there today. It's easily head high, maybe a little bigger on the sets. It's clean, sunny, and really fun looking. However, I am incapacitated today. I broke some ribs up north this past week, and in a word, I am "hurting"
and so is my son Max. He got hurt trying to land a big air.



Those dam kids and their airs. This is Tom Hay. Max shot this because he can't surf. So there's some good that came out of him hurting himself. *Max has some great pics in this week's galleries. Over 200. I have to say, his pics are getting better and better each time he goes out and shoots.



This is me on Saturday in the ER in Exeter. I'm holding an ice bag on my ribs while waiting for X-rays. Cory joined me this time. There's really nothing they can do for bruised or broken ribs. Just try and find a spot where you can sit or lie down without screaming in pain. I have yet to find that spot. But I'm looking.

Speaking of looking, this is what I was looking at when I got hurt.



Each year I travel north to "God's Country". I absolutely love it up there.



This is a spot I named The "MAC" back in the early 90's. It is every bit as thick as it looks here. I travel here each year, in my quest for the fastest flushing game bird in all of North America.

"Bonasas Umbellelus." The Ruffed Grouse.

My longtime, and dear friend, Rich and I have been keeping this tradition alive for well over 20 years now. We will continue this annual sojourn for as long as we both can walk and shoulder our shotguns. We are always accompanied by one of my shorthairs. The current canine who scans the coverts for bird scent is this young stud. PATCH. 6 years old and by far the BEST pointing dog I have ever owned.



Rich measured out our steps this past week. In two days we humped for close to 15 miles. And if we humped 15 miles, Patch (above) ran a solid 50 miles. And that is NO exaggeration. And it's hard to tell from this photo, but Patch's nose? Yeah, that nose, can smell a bird from 20 yards away. Sometimes more. His passion for Grouse is unmeasured in our simple world.

Life is good when you surround yourselves with good friends, a loving family, and a solid hard working bird dog, who does not know the word quit.

"Surfing, Foliage, Photography, and Bird Dogs, Heals All Wounds"

This is ironic. The pic was taken exactly on October 10th, 2013. Three years ago today. The surfer is Hannah Vokey. I have to admit, I love going through all of the pics I have from Ed and picking the Ed's Corner pic each week. I love finding pics of my friends that Ed shot. And this is easily one of those. I'm sure Hannah and Sam will be stoked to see this pic.

To see more of Ed's pics just scroll through the archives. He has shot so many pics for the blog. Be sure and pick up a copy of the COLD COAST and check out Ed's own gallery.
Each week I will feature one of Ed's great pics from this blog.
Photo by Ed O'Connell
*Click the photo above to see a larger version of Ed's Pic.




I have not not seen or heard of a paid purse for a surfing contest in these waters for as long as I can remember. But Sid and the crew at Water Brothers are doing just that.
See above and get that $100 entry fee in.

Now for Some More Of My Weekly Global Observances
The 3-1 NE Patriots got their golden boy back in the nick of time. Number 12 was back and he's never looked better. Tom Brady did his time, now it's back to business. And business looks good with Brady back in the huddle.



He didn't skip a beat out there. I couldn't believe how many Patriots fans were at this game. I mean it was in Cleveland. I suppose they could of been there for the Red Sox games (ugh) and just hung around to see the return of Tom Brady. If that was the case, that would be a "good call."



Brady is the TRUE leader of this team. With 17 seasons under his belt, it was a welcome relief by all the fans across New England.



The defense also stepped up their game. After last week's shut out the D had something to prove as well. They looked great. The Final Score was 33-13 Patriots. The victory was nice, but the sights and sounds of number 12 felt good for every single fan out there.

Welcome back Brady. Somewhere, Roger Goodell is vomiting.

OK the other big news this week is the bombshell video tape of TRUMP from 2005 saying all kinds of nasty things about women. It's not like he was already struggling with the women vote, he was. And this just made it all worse for the orange haired buffoon. Did the Clinton camp have this tape and were just waiting for the right time to drop it? Maybe. Maybe not. Regardless, TRUMP just lost the election because of it. It's true. The American people will not stand behind someone so vulgar and nasty as TRUMP now appears to be.



Stick a fork in him, he's done. Buh bye Donald. Buh bye.

KSM Photoshop of the Week
Ahhh hah! So this is how the tape got leaked. They said it was Billy Bush. But now we can all clearly see, it was that dirty dog KSM again. It seems like KSM gets his hand in every single controversy that hits the airwaves. Not sure how he gets to leave GITMO week after week, but that's not your concern. RPOTW just wants to bust him him every week. For entertainment purposes only.



As always... take advantage of this weekly photo shop of the mastermind who planned 9-11 and resulted in the deaths of 3,000 innocent civilians by KSM (Khalid Sheik Mohammed).

*Note to self -must pick up a case of mouth wash
at Home Depot this week.

CONGRATULATIONS Mike (Whitey) and Amy White!
Married October 1st, 2016

HAPPY 29th ANNIVERSARY to my wife Cory
Married October 10th, 1987

REST IN PEACE Marine SSGT George Masten.

Please Support ALL The photographers who contribute to
Ralph's Pic Of The Week every week for the last 11 years.
** BUY a HIGH RES Photo from any of the weeks on RPOTW.

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

Ralph

*Click on the photo above to see a larger version

(Above) It's not the best pic I've ever taken, but I like the contrast of Weston against the water. Plus his stance. It all came together on this particular photo.
October 5th, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Same day. Same spot. Same guy. Weston Rogers.
October 5th, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Meanwhile, back at cement land. October 5th, 2016
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- Earlier in the week. October 3rd, 2016.
Photos by RALPH


(Above) One that got away. October 3rd, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Pev on the edge of a glassy left hander. October 3rd, 2016
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery





(Above) Gilly Donatelli gliding one one of the last warm days in 2016.
October 3rd, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) That's one large moose track. October 6-8, 2016
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) Sunset on the mountains. October 6-8, 2016
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Perry Reynolds leaning into a nice glassy runner. October 7-8, 2016
Photo by MAX *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Pev washing the dreads for free. October 7-8, 2016
Photo by MAX *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Tom and Jared Hay in the smoker's circle. October 7-8, 2016
Photo by MAX *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Not to be left out, the aerial dynamics of Mike Stanek still rules. October 6th, 2016 Photo by MAX
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) They come in peace. Kody and Jesse welcoming the day.
October 6th, 2016 Photo by MAX
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- Steve Dillon and The Left Coast
October 1st, 2016. Photos by Steve Dillon



(Above) Stevie has been getting in the water to get closer and more intimate with the surf. Photo by Steve Dillon
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery