Hanging out with Tropical Storm Nicole

We went down to the beach for some R&R. Well Tropical Storm decided to vacation on the very same beach on the very same week. Go figure. It was an amazing experience except for being wet, wet, wet. Did I mention that we were soaking wet almost the entire time? Boots, rain coats and Aquarium memberships all came in handy this week! We did sneak in some seashell and beach walking time. We even did a drive by of the Seafood Festival. It was a fun and undoubtedly unforgettable week!!!

If you look closely, you can see waves crashing through the end of the Oceanana Pier. It was an incredible sight.

Many of know how much work has been put into building and keeping these dunes. This storm did a number on them. You know it is bad when you see the roots of the sea oats where the sand has been washed away from them. This shot shows the water coming down the public access. Mom said that we were heading for the hills if it came much farther! Scaredy cat :)

I took this one to show the water level in relation to the trash cans. It is hard to tell but it was actually worse up the beach.

My seashell gathering buddy before daylight. I told her she had to lose the pocketbook. She complied.

Cora having a splashing good time BEFORE Nicole showed up. There had just been quite a bit of rain before we got there. Please notice the million dollar (including labor) retaining wall in the distance. We affectionately call her Little Fort Macon.

We got up before the sun and decided to walk down to the pier for some good ol' pier breakfast. On the way back, Cora decided we should get in the ocean....wearing our jeans. She laughed until she couldn't catch her breath. Awesome memory created. I hope she remembers too.

She likes to rock the hat backwards.

See that orange glow? That is the sun waking up!

Those boots were priceless!!!!! Behind her there is an orange DOT barrel floating down Club Colony Drive. There was so much rain! A lot of the water had receded from around the house at this point.