a little too close

Living on the water is one of the coolest things in the world. I've always wanted to do it. When I moved to camp 10 years ago, I couldn't believe that I would be living just a stones throw away from it. I never, ever get tired of the changing tide. I never get tired of the occasional smell of salt in the air. I never get tired of walking on the beach after a long day and just listening to the ripples on the sand. I love it.

But there is also a danger that comes with it. When I hear the words "storm surge" and "50+ mile an hour winds," my stomach drops and I get a little tense. Because, you see, there was this one time that I experienced those things a little too close for my liking. Hurricane Isabel in 2003. We were hit pretty good.

So, now that we are just about to be put under hurricane/tropical storm watches and warnings, all I can think about it this....


The entire beachfront under water. The river swollen beyond recognition and filled with every type of debris that can float.


The county pier engulfed. It's the same pier as the first photo.


And then there is the little Cottage. My roommate and I were up most of the night before this watching the water rise hirer and hirer getting closer to our house. I really don't want to do that again. Once is more than enough for me, thank you.

Earthquake note: we had an aftershock last night that woke me up. The earth is talking rather loudly around here. Earthquakes, hurricanes, thunderstorms galore. It's like a Left Behind novel.