Danielle dissappoints

For all last week folks were buzzing with anticipation.

All the models were predicting that Hurricane Danielle

was going to produce overhead surf for the weekend and

that the weather was supposed to be sunny and warm with

offshore breezes. It looked, for all intensive purposes, like a

perfect setup.

Saturday morning as the sun rose parking lots were filled

with surfers checking their local breaks. Cars piled high

with surfboards were cruising in every which direction. The

local early morning news reporters and weathermen and women

were warning beach goers about deadly rip tides and high surf.

The surf forecasting web sites had charts with waves in the

overhead range. The feelings of anticipation filled the air.

Apparently no one told the ocean about all the buzz. First light

revealed barely a waist high wave. Surfers on cell phones, surfers

checking their i phones and and blackberries were frantically

calling and checking with friends. Where were the waves? Someone

said it's bigger down south "just got a call from the inlet and it's

chest high". Another group commented that NY might be bigger

while yet another decided to head for the barrier islands. Surprise,

frustration and something akin to shock filled the air replacing the

anticipation of first light. Crowds were scattering.

As the day wore on the disappointment deepened. A few places

had a chest high long period ground swell that closed out or dumped

without much chance of a wall to work. Other spots around groins

and jetties had small waist high waves with workable sections. The

beaches filled up as the sun shone and temperatures rose. Most beaches

didn't have the predicted rip tides. News reporters looked a bit silly

as the live shots revealed small surf and lots of people enjoying the

ocean. Sure there were a few spots with rips but no mass calamity.

How often do you spend lots of energy worrying or anticipating

something in your future? How often does it meet the expectation?

Sure it's fun to speculate and make some plans but... Sometimes it's

good just to look out the window, see what's going on and live the

day as it unfolds.

The speculation and anticipation about our next storm Hurricane Earl

is beginning. Trips to Rhode Island, Block Island, and points north

are being considered. Who knows? Guess I'll wait and see what comes,

keeping my anticipation somewhat in check, not counting my chickens.

Not a bad way to live.

What we take for granted

Best Day Foundation, Life Rolls On, Surfer's Healing, Parents

of Children with Autism, all are wonderful organizations that

provide kids and families with something we take for granted...

a day at the beach, a chance to ride a few waves, and the joys

associated with everything about surfing.

All too often we take things for granted and don't focus on just

how lucky and blessed we are. How often do you find yourself

stressing over something that, in the big picture, is stupid and

quite unimportant. All you need to do is volunteer to help out

at any organization that gives kids and families less fortunate

a chance to experience what we all love.

Do yourself a favor. Give of yourself, give something back for

the blessings that have been bestowed on you. You are not here

on earth to simply ride as many waves as you can. You have been

given a gift, the ability to be healthy and to enjoy all that the ocean

has to offer. Use your gift wisely. Share what you love you'll be

amazed how good it can make you feel. You'll find that it helps

put things in perspective, helps you focus on what you have not

what you don't have.