Pelican Surfing

Last one this week from the beach. Someday I'll actually get some pelican pictures were they're not flying by me, fly towards me or flying way out there.

North Myrtle Beach Fire Department Station 2

Of course I took some firehouse pictures at the beach. This is North Myrtle's Cherry Grove station on Sea Mountain Highway. Right across from the IGA. Stopped by Thursday morning to get some pictures and as I turned around they yelled form the second floor window and asked if I wanted to look around. Sure. So they opened the doors ad we talked a bit. Thanks to ... ah... Mike (I think). He was a former New Jersey firefighter who moved down south. This station was built in 1989 and houses the Engine here, along with a Squad (QRS), a jet ski and ATV.

Looking for Gold

Last Thursday while everyone else was chilling in the penthouse I went for a walk on the beach. I walked northeast until the sun hit the horizon then turned around and walked back  into the sunset. On the way out I passed this guy with his metal detector. I thought about asking for a picture if he made eye contact but he was engrossed in his quest. And me? Yeah, I don't like people anyway. But after he passed I looked back and saw this opportunity.

The House of Blues

While at the beach I spent two evenings out with the camera and tripod. Lots of neon down there. I think I shot 14 different signs last week. The House of Blues was first opened in 1992 in Cambridge, Massachusetts  and was financed in part by Dan "Elwood Blues" and Jim Belusi, John "Jake Blues" Beluhi's brother. It has since been sold to Live Nation. We ate here one night, pretty good. And the atmosphere was awesome with all the paintings, old shoes and tramp art. They even had a live act in the restaurant. Rumor has it there might be one coming to Philly. Also notice the Blues Mobile in the footer.

Jake: What's this?

Elwood: What?

Jake: This car. This stupid car. Where's the Cadillac? The Caddy? Where's the Caddy?

Elwood: The what?

Jake: The Cadillac we used to have. The Blues Mobile!

Elwood: I traded it.

Jake: You traded the Blues Mobile for this?

Elwood: No. For a microphone.

Jake: A Microphone? OK, I can see that. Well what the hell is this?

Elwood: This was a bargain. I picked it up at the Mount Prospect City Police auction last spring. It's an old Mount Prospect Police car. They were practically giving them away.

Jake: Well, thank you pal, the day I get out of prison my own brother picks me up in an old police car.

Elwood: You don't like it?

Jake: No, I don't like it.

(Elwood guns it and jumps an open drawbridge)

Jake: Cars got a lot of pick up

Elwood: It's got a cop motor, a four hundred and forty cubic inch plant, it's got cop tires, cop suspension, cop shocks, it was a model before catalytic converters so it runs on regular gas. What do you say? Is it the new Blues Mobile or what?

(Jake unsuccessfully tries to light a smoke)

Jake: Fix the cigarette lighter (as he tosses it out the window)

Stormy Tuesday

Tuesday morning was stormy. Winds, waves, rain. By afternoon the sun had found it's way out and the temperatures rose to a comfortable 60. After dark I stood on the balcony and watched the lightning storms out at sea. That's the kind of thing that old weathermen do for enjoyment. 

Beach Week

Last week I returned to one of my old habits; I spent some time at the beach between Christmas and New Years. This time it was North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The weather was great. Tuesday we saw some rain and stormy conditions, but after Monday mornings long drive we slept through most of the mornings bad weather. The afternoon wasn't so bad. The rest of the week was nice shorts and sweatshirt weather. 

This is the view from the balcony of the 10th floor penthouse suite. I'd bet this room cost as much per night in mid-summer as we paid all week.

Happy Twelve

A scene of the chaos on the Square in Shippensburg, PA. The annual Anchor Drop is now in it's 11th year. Can't say I've been to all of them but I've been to a few. Weather was bearable. In the past it's been freezing and it's been rainy, last night was nice enough that no one was in a huge hurry to vacate after midnight. Happy New Year!