November 13, 2007
Logging in
Wind music.
From time to time the Pacific Northwest is hit with major wind storms, and we just had a good one. The 61 MPH winds that hit Friday Harbor are nothing compared to the 92 MPH ones that visited Seattle. Power is still out in some places, inviting those without generators to step back from their computers and enjoy the nearly forgotten rituals of reading and conversation. And many other activities that don’t require power. Use your imagination. That doesn’t need electricity, either.
It was a dramatic night. Despite the chill and roar of the dry gales, we slept, as always, with the window open a few inches, taking in as much of the charged air as our lungs could hold. Small tree limbs were tossed against our roof and unrecognizable sounds implying varying degrees of chaos filtered through our dream states. As the almost rainless storm died down the next day, Charles and I assessed the results to our property (not bad, all things considered), and then couldn’t resist maneuvering our truck around fallen trees and debris to get to the most weather beaten part of the island, the west side. Once there, we basked in the sight of the unusually large waves between us and Vancouver Island.
The beach around American Camp on the southwest end of San Juan Island is, like most shorelines here, draped in miles of forgotten timber and driftwood. This visit was an object lesson in just how all those pieces got there. There’s nothing like watching a 30-foot long log haplessly surf the waves and then be deposited hard on the sand like an abandoned kayak. One by one, these castaways keep the outer edge of paradise in a state of constant change, and me in a constant state of awe.
dexter said,
November 13, 2007 @ 1:28 pm
That’s an impressive amount of driftwood. There were some great pictures of the waves during the storm in the Islander: http://www.sanjuanislander.com/features/weather/wind-11-12-2006.shtml
I’ve always loved winter storms (never had a tree fall on the house, knock on wood) and we’re looking forward to getting back to the NW in a couple of years.
Mike said,
November 14, 2007 @ 11:44 am
Lovely photograph, Alex!!! The exposure is perfect, as was your timing to capture the last golden glow.
Thanks so much for your thoughtful gift of your perfected CD. I continue to enjoy Notes from the Kelp for itself and to marvel at your “note alignment” genius.
Your friend,
Mike
P.S. — I’ve posted on of my latest works on my online store…..”Dawn on Cochise Head”. It from a Oct/Nov 2007 trip to the remote corner of Arizona (as well as Tucson, for the University of Arizona Homecoming).
Paul H. Muller said,
November 14, 2007 @ 2:07 pm
Like Malibu Creek after a heavy rain, but with bigger pieces…
Andrew Durkin said,
November 16, 2007 @ 11:02 am
Hey Alex:
For some reason beyond my ken, I am just discovering that 1. you moved to the Pacific Northwest, and 2. you have a blog. Congratulations on both! I have enjoyed reading / hearing the stuff you have here.
Coincidentally, I also left LA recently — moved up to Portland (OR) last year with my wife and daughter. I’ve been digging the rain (and other forms of weather) ever since. (I almost forgot what that sort of thing was like during my “southland years.”) What a beautiful part of the country!
Anyway, hope you’re well!
Alex Shapiro said,
November 16, 2007 @ 6:51 pm
Great to hear from you, Andrew! I think we’re not the only ones migrating north these days. The rain feels WONDERFUL!
:-))
A