Friday, September 19, 2008

All foggy day pictures are FISHERMAN'S RESERVE NS


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Posted by email from Surfer Ralph North to South (posterous)

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Posted by email from Surfer Ralph North to South (posterous)

LAWRENCETOWN BCH FOGGY DAY


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Posted by email from Surfer Ralph North to South (posterous)

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Posted by email from Surfer Ralph North to South (posterous)

GETTING MY SHARE ON THE WAY TO MONTAUK

After leaving the Rt Rev Ken,I headed to York,ME to visit the Grain Surfboard factory.Three observations about the drive to York:(1) I've never experienced so many people driving 47 in 55mph zones.What's with that Mainers?(2)Americans need to lighten up and take life lessons from Nova Scotians.I was treated with nothing but suspicion because I turned in a head cover for a golf club I found next to a gas pump upon my fill up.No thank you;no OK I will keep an eye out;only the curiously American "Stinkeye".(3)It was refreshing to see so many giant American flags flying in front of private homes.God Bless America!! Mike,Brad,Josh,Sarah,John & Lissa made me feel very welcome at Grain.They build totally wood boards in the "Tom Blake" tradition of airplane wing type construction.Beautiful,functional,strong and a lot of pride in craftsmanship;I'm going back after Montauk to design a Bonzer with Brad for my quiver. I had to rush through New England to get to Montauk NY(northeast tip of Long Island).Lilla and Foster Folsom caught up with me at York Beach.We teardropped together at Libby's Campground overlooking the main surfspot;no waves again.Disappointment,but I've decided that surfing is the icing on the cake of nice people and travel adventure. We went back to Grain so Foster could see the operation and lilla shoot pictures for a possible article.Lilla is going to email some of her shots;so heads up on their appearence on the site.I drove to New London CT to catch the Montauk series of ferries.More on that later.Yours with the Waves,Ralph PS Keep those emails,comments and contributions to Shepherd coming. THANK YOU

2 comments on your blog.


Nick,look forward to it.Ralph

On Fri, Sep 19, 2008 at 12:09 PM, Ralph Henry Williams <ralphuspg@gmail.com> wrote:


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Nicholas Spratlen <nick.spratlen@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, Sep 19, 2008 at 11:14 AM
Subject: 2 comments on your blog.
To: ralphuspg@gmail.com



1. When you get back to Atlanta and have caught your breath, I want to see your '50 Plymouth woodie. I drove my parents '50 Plymouth 2dr Deluxe to high school for two years and have several fond memories about it.

2. How does your fund raising work? I am intrigued by the concept and impressed you are raising funds to help injured vets at the Sheppard Spinal Center.

btw, I spent 6 months in the first half of 1973 riding a US Navy cable laying ship out of the Naval Shipyard at Kittery , Maine which is across the river from Portsmouth, NH.  Emily and I did our honey moon in the Maritime Provinces, and I recall very well the tides at such Northern latitudes. I was surprised that you did not mention the tides from your 5 surfing attempts in Nova Scotia.

Best Regards!

. . . .  Nick Spratlen
CDR, SC, USNR-(R)



--
Ralph Williams
404-374-5043
<ralphuspg@gmail.com>



--
Ralph Williams
404-374-5043
<ralphuspg@gmail.com>

Posted by email from Surfer Ralph North to South (posterous)

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Crossing into Maine

OH BOY! Leaving the nourishing arms of the Dolan clan in Dartmouth and Waverley,Nova Scotia is tough.They have made my visit so incredible that I could have stayed forever;I almost think they would say OK.Joanne,Gina surely contributed to me probably adding more than a few LBs.I'm thankful I can't find any scales.I was in NS for almost 4 weeks and unfortunately got in the water only 5 times.Never scored any good waves.Even Hanna fizzled.Kevin Dolan is probably overjoyed that the"surferralph"curse has finally left town.I crossed the border at Calais,Maine.The immigration folks were very supportive of my fund raising efforts.Sadly the guy who checked me across has lost 3 buddies in Iraq.If we had followed Colin Powell's advise of overwhelming,brutal force and "understood" occupation or DON'T GO,we would be more respected in the Arab world and more likely to have suffered less loss of life and quicker positive results.Once again the cowards in Washington,DC have cost needless American lives. My adventure in Maine started off immediately.I was driving down coastly US#1 for about 10 minutes when I passed a unique gentleman hitchhiking.He had a Santa Claus white beard,a VERY RED fedora,impeccably dressed in a sharp black suit with a lavender lapel flower.His tie was a ornamental collage of bright yellows topped off with a diamond stick pin fronting a dark blue shirt.To quote ZZ Top "A Sharp Dressed Man"!! I passed him and thought I cannot dis- allow myself the pleasure of his acquaintance;so I U-turned and picked up the Right Reverend Ken Marsh of the Union Episcopal Church(UEC).He is the Bishop of Maine.As he entered the woodie,I remarked I "if you are going to hurt me,at least I will go out in style".The UEC is a 400 member denomination(100 in Maine) worldwide that believes in same sex marriages,polygamy and some other things I'm sure Rev. Ken and I did not discuss.The fact that Ken was riding a woodie was gender preferable to him(he has a great sense of humor).My plan upon "picking him up" was to give him a ride to his destination and continue onto York,Maine.His plan was to try and seduce me.We did neither! Upon taking him to Eastport ME,I decided that this adventure and new companion was too rich to drive away from. Ken had me drive him to his 1901 Sears & Roebuck original family home on 3rd Street.It had several additions since the original Sears blueprint,but it as visually something out of "Hush,Hush Sweet Charlotte" or "To Kill A Mockingbird" on acid.I was entranced and slightly concerned;so I called my webmaster Ross and left a message as to exactly where I was,who I was with and Ken's phone number.I wanted them to be able to locate the body in case things did not go well.Ken and I had an incredible conversation concerning his 101 year old Mother;his just resolved legal problems,an 8 year old suit against a customs officer for physically abusing his Mother and the apparent local police retaliation for his filing of the suit.We went to dinner in a very good local restaurant with Ken refusing to allow me to pay for anything(Seduction 101).He is a great guy with alot of very interesting views on life.A conversationalist "par excellence'".We strolled around town;dropped into a 1900 originally equipped drug store which is now functioning as a scrimshaw art gallery.I talked football with the Pittsburg,PA owner who was packing up for the season,and Ken gave insight into various aspects of Eastport's history.Ken lived here most of his childhood,and after his withdrawal from the wholesale jewelry business in NYC,returned to live and care for his Mother.We returned to Sweet Charlotte and continued our conversations.He continued his conversion arguments to the gay lifestyle,and asking me if I wanted more to drink(Seduction 102).I adjourned to the teardrop trailer because of dust allergies.a pitbull(gentle) and Ken's comment that my leg hair was turning him on.I left this morning at 6:15am( not to avoid Ken),but to get on the road.I knew if I stayed it would result in more long interesting conversations and a late start.I have to be at Montauk NY by the morning of Fri 9/19 to meet my good friend Mike Shand and I don't want to rush New England.I will give Rt Rev Ken a much deserved thank you call later today.Yours with the Waves,Ralph

Road Trip




---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: John.Watling <john.watling@verizon.net>
Date: Mon, Sep 15, 2008 at 5:14 PM
Subject: Re: Road Trip
To: Ralph Henry Williams <ralphuspg@gmail.com>


Ralph,
Your article appeared in the Automotive section of our local "Sunday Republican" published in Springfield Mass.  It included the great photo (Atlanta Journal-Constitution of you in your '50 Plymouth Woody with boards attached and camper in tow.  Looks like  you'll have some nice weather.  Hope you catch some good waves.  Maybe the remnants of Ike will bring in some good surf.  Have fun!  I just turned 59 the 6th of September and was telling my wife I'll have to do something special for my 60th.  You've inspired me!  Might just have to find my self a good running 63 Falcon wagon (owned 3 of them in my days) and plan MY road trip lol.  

John

On Sep 14, 2008, at 7:59 PM, Ralph Henry Williams wrote:

john,In what paper and what town did the article appear? Thanks for your kind words. Ralph
On Sun, Sep 14, 2008 at 6:19 PM, Ralph Henry Williams <ralphuspg@gmail.com> wrote:
John,how cool for you to go back to RI.I am headed that way in about 2 or 3 days.I'll ride a few for you.Yours with the Waves!Ralph


On Sun, Sep 14, 2008 at 11:49 AM, John.Watling <john.watling@verizon.net> wrote:
Congratulations on your "dream" road trip!  I read Rick Minter's article of your adventure in my local paper this morning and immediately envied your opportunity.  I would certainly call myself a surfer but, oh what fun it is!
Back in the summer of  '66, as a sophomore in high school,  I had the pleasure of going to Naragannsett Beach in Rhode Island to surf.  
A friend of mine back then got the bug, bought a board (which he still has) and continued to surf a few times a year since then.  One the few occasions of running into this friend over the years I told him I'd like to make a day trip with him sometime back down to Narragansett with him.
Well, it took 42 years but we did go last month and it was a great day.  The waves were only 2-3 foot swells and I didn't catch any to speak of but I had a great day non the less.  It was good to spend some time with an old friend, more updating each other on our lives than rehashing the "Glory Days" of the 60's.  Who remembers the deatails anyway?
Well Ralph, it is a great cause you are on.  May all your rides be good ones, both off and on the water.    I've just let my friend know of your adventure.  We will check your website to stay tuned.

Be safe,

John



--
Ralph Williams
404-374-5043
<ralphuspg@gmail.com>



--
Ralph Williams
404-374-5043
<ralphuspg@gmail.com>




--
Ralph Williams
404-374-5043
<ralphuspg@gmail.com>

Posted by email from Surfer Ralph North to South (posterous)

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Road Trip


john,In what paper and what town did the article appear? Thanks for your kind words. Ralph
On Sun, Sep 14, 2008 at 6:19 PM, Ralph Henry Williams <ralphuspg@gmail.com> wrote:
John,how cool for you to go back to RI.I am headed that way in about 2 or 3 days.I'll ride a few for you.Yours with the Waves!Ralph


On Sun, Sep 14, 2008 at 11:49 AM, John.Watling <john.watling@verizon.net> wrote:
Congratulations on your "dream" road trip!  I read Rick Minter's article of your adventure in my local paper this morning and immediately envied your opportunity.  I would certainly call myself a surfer but, oh what fun it is!
Back in the summer of  '66, as a sophomore in high school,  I had the pleasure of going to Naragannsett Beach in Rhode Island to surf.  
A friend of mine back then got the bug, bought a board (which he still has) and continued to surf a few times a year since then.  One the few occasions of running into this friend over the years I told him I'd like to make a day trip with him sometime back down to Narragansett with him.
Well, it took 42 years but we did go last month and it was a great day.  The waves were only 2-3 foot swells and I didn't catch any to speak of but I had a great day non the less.  It was good to spend some time with an old friend, more updating each other on our lives than rehashing the "Glory Days" of the 60's.  Who remembers the deatails anyway?
Well Ralph, it is a great cause you are on.  May all your rides be good ones, both off and on the water.    I've just let my friend know of your adventure.  We will check your website to stay tuned.

Be safe,

John



--
Ralph Williams
404-374-5043
<ralphuspg@gmail.com>



--
Ralph Williams
404-374-5043
<ralphuspg@gmail.com>

Posted by email from Surfer Ralph North to South (posterous)