The Great Nor'easter of January 24th, Donald Trump's First Week, and the patriots are on their way to the Super Bowl!

This JUST In. Donald Trump Still President. Not funny? You're right, it's not.
Especially if you're a Muslim or a Mexican. This (below) however is funny.



C'mon that's funny. Very funny. And honestly? We need humor more than ever this coming year. That and more surf like we got earlier in the week. That was in a word "awesome". It's important for you all to know, that I rarely, and I mean rarely, say the word "Awesome." To me it's a Millennial thing. Something the kids say frequently, and the adults who want to appear hip and young.

But I have to tell you, the surf this week was pretty dam good.



This bad baby of a Nor'easter started on the 24th and ended on the 26th.

I just so happened to be in the area that day, so I brought my camera gear. You see, I have to have an MRI every 6 months for the rest of my life. It's no big deal. It's just a precautionary deal to keep an eye on a couple of nodules on my liver. I'm guessing there's no change, because the Doc hasn't called me back.

At any rate, I was in the area of an old friend. So I stopped by to say hello.

She hasn't changed one bit. She's still a beast to handle, when the wind is blowing and howling for my darling. I took a bunch of stills, and shot some video. I have to admit, I miss her. I grew up surfing here. And when I came back from Vietnam, I NEVER missed a swell, when she would show her dark gray face. I could picture it all. The 70's and the 80's. I like to think, that at one point or another, during that time, that I was the man.

You know what I mean. Being that guy. That individual that everyone knows and respects. Not talking about being the BEST surfer out there, I'm talking about something deeper. Way deeper.

It was the only place I surfed in my life, where I felt 100% at home and at ease.

Actually, that's not entirely true. 10th Street off the south side jetty. A spot that my friends affectionately called RALPH'S RIGHTS. There was a time when we hit the Wall, that I would only surf that spot. So there's that as well.

But back to the killer Nor'easter on the 24th and 25th.



It was deadly at some spots. This wave in particular, was nasty.



But once she cleaned herself up, it was nothing short of perfection. There are several galleries in the blog this week that will pay homage to this storm. Plus a 15 minute video. I had been making short web edits as of late, but I shot 8 different breaks in the two days I was out there. There were too many good waves and too many good surfers to pass on.



I used to make long (1hr plus) DVD's back in the day. Not anymore.

It's all about the quick web edits. Keep em coming every week and make sure they are under 5 minutes. I actually enjoy making these short clips almost as much as i enjoyed making the full feature films. They're fun.



Like this glassy peak. This is fun kids with a capital "F!"

Hopefully we'll get another Nor'easter before the Donald signs another executive order. He's on a roll. And it's only been one week.



I think I read somewhere that he's already signed something like 6 executive orders in his first week. Wow! I guess he means business huh?

Let's pray for surf so we can forget what's happening in the swamp.

"Surfing and Shooting Waves Heals All Wounds"

This week's pic from Ed's corner was shot in 2010. I am the surfer
and this was during my Catch A Wave For Molly campaign. This pic was actually taken six years ago yesterday. Ed was with me for most of my 365 days of surfing that year. He was great hanging out with me
during that cold winter. He didn't have to, but he insisted, that if I was going to paddle out, he would document. And he did. I miss you Big Man. Every single swell.

To see more of Ed's pics just scroll through the archives. He has shot so many pics for the blog. 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.

Now for Some More Of My Weekly Global Observances
The did it. The New England Patriots beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship game in Foxboro last Sunday. And we are heading to the 51st Super Bowl. I say "we" because we're all part of this. The team and coaches, the owners, and the fans. WE are heading to Houston, to play the NFC champs, the Atlanta Falcons.



This dynamic duo has been together 17 years this past week.



The best signing of a head coach ever? Hell yes. You kidding? We are the ONLY NFL team to go to the Super Bowl 9 times! We stand to win our Fifth Super Bowl. They are calling it the "DRIVE FOR FIVE"!
I like it. That's a great slogan.



Now before we start counting our Super Bowl Rings and Trophies...we need to beat this team. The FALCONS led by Matt Ryan. Or as he is known "Mattie Ice" . I would like to think that the Patriots have already worked up a scheme to beat these guys. But it won't be easy.



The Patriots must have the edge going into this game. Just the sheer number of times that they have been here is enough. Besides, we have the GREATEST Quarterback in the history of the NFL.
I'll give you my prediction next week.

Here's an IMPORTANT MESSAGE from the Rowlee Family.



Dear Molly Fund supporters,

I can't believe we are coming up on the end of our 6th year of The Molly Fund! Your generosity over the years has been overwhelming. Together we have donated close to $350,000 to Dana Farber for families with children battling cancer! Your donations have helped people right in our own little community. 

But, we can do more.  We have decided that it is time to move all administration of The Fund to Dana Farber. IT WILL STAY THE SAME AS IT ALWAYS HAS BEEN, but now we won't have to pay for any expenses associated with running a non-profit (accounting services, board insurance and office supplies). 100% OF YOUR DONATIONS WILL NOW GO DIRECTLY TO FAMILIES. Dana Farber is a non-profit and your donation will still be tax deductible. They will send me notifications of donations so I can personally thank you, and send a sticker.

**Effective immediately, checks will now be made out to:
Dana Farber Cancer Institute with Molly Rowlee fund in the Memo line.
Mail to: Dana Farber Cancer Institute
Attn: Hannah Casill
Division of Development
10 Brookline Place West, FL 6
Brookline, MA 02245

With all our love, Meg and Buck Rowlee, Skip Brunette, Chuck White, and MP Broderick, the Molly Fund Board.

KSM Photoshop of the Week
This should not be a surprise to anyone. Khalid "Sheik" Mohammed was present at the TRUMP executive order signing frenzy.



So my friends, please 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 Ball point pens at
Home Depot this week.

Prayers and positive thoughts to Erica Nardone's recovery.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Kelly Ciarmataro January 28th, 2017!
RIP Mary Tyler Moore
RIP Butch Trucks

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) Jersey transplant Chris Stelman has a great cutback.
The afternoon of January 25th, 2017 Photos by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) I know this looks perfect. Truth is, it's almost impossible to make this wave. This is the inside and it moves so fast to set yourself up for this end section would require some serious speed. There's a good reason why nobody was out there this day. The afternoon of January 25th, 2017
Photos by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) The same spot. The same deal. The afternoon of January 25th, 2017
Photos by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) It's hard to catch these birds in mid flight. So when I do, I feel
the need to post it. The afternoon of January 25th, 2017
Photos by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Back to the death pit. The afternoon of January 25th, 2017
Photos by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Thunder Road. Can you hear it? The afternoon of January 25th, 2017
Photos by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Somewhere Prince is playing his guitar. January 25th, 2017
Photos by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) This wave was so hollow and spit so hard. And there was
nobody around to see it but me. The morning of January 25th, 2017
Photos by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Perry Reynolds just back from Latin America getting his sea legs adjusted. The morning of January 25th, 2017 Photos by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) I kept seeing this rainbow behind each wave. I wasn't sure I could capture it. Looks like I did. The morning of January 25th, 2017
Photos by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- The Big Gray Day. January 24th, 2017.
Photos by RALPH



(Above) I miss this place. I need to come back here more. January 24th, 2017
Photos by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) I didn't notice the gull until I was back in my studio. January 24th, 2017
Photos by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) That deep dark hole has always had a grip on me. January 24th, 2017
Photos by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) I think this is my favorite shot of this day. January 24th, 2017
Photos by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Now this is a perfect wave. Perfect. January 25th, 2017
Photos by Maureen McNamara *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) He looks a little apprehensive. I'm guessing this wave is folding
faster than we think. January 25th, 2017 Photos by Maureen McNamara
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) This wave has got to be steep. None of these guys are angling on the drop. Which can only mean one thing. You angle-you get worked.
January 25th, 2017 Photos by Maureen McNamara
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) This reminds me of a frothy frappe . January 25th, 2017
Photos by Maureen McNamara *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) This can't possibly be good. January 25th, 2017
Photos by Maureen McNamara *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery