56 years of Tornado Tracks

by johnmnelson. Browse more Geography infographics.

small kine waves in Denmark

Just more cool stuff to do near Copenhagen - Good on 'im I say.

Billy Kearins in a picture he sent me - Surfing in Denmark, on the Baltic side. He's from around here - but lives in Denmark now with wife & kid.

He makes these are cool urban bikes and when it comes to bikes, Danes know their shit. Bikes are central to the way of live there:
Box Cyles
From his flickr page: - Christiania Bike there had to be a beach application:

Lucky to live in Gloucester

Just a great place to live - always something cool to look at

please remember

From these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion:

That we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain; that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

Abraham Lincoln Gettysburg Address

Palos Verdes 1941 by the Surfing Heritage Foundation

This picture really captures the place - wave & all. Back around 1998-2003 there were long time area guys named Saff, Jocko, and Frosty - pretty good dudes. I never had any trouble there, and it has a storied past.

But on a good day the vibe was mellow. Definite pecking order for the set waves (a strory in itself) - but plenty for everyone and always a grin on. A different time and a different scene: the shortboarders were killing it (and each other) nearby and around the points, and the crowd level was far more manageable.

It doesn't get any more authentic than the Cove and it was so satisfying to ride it during the fun Winter swells. Watching the hard core veterans charge it was a charge. This is an all day spot: the wave is so fun,then the sunsets would light up the cliffs - all iron-deposits and orange. That on one side and bombs backlit by the sunset on the other.

It Pumps there (my pic below)- at which point I'm high and dry with my bi-nocs or camera as shown:


To browse amazing stuff:
Surfing Heritage Foundation

quickie session takes the edge off, but next time put sunscreen on

It was well worth the sunburn.

As long as the fun waves keep coming around here, we'll keep riding. Thigh to waist high at a favorite little corner.

Muscle Car Monday: - Indy/May #2: '67: Whhhooosshhh!! Turbine Power Fail 10 Laps From Changing History

The STP turbine cars were amazing machines, and beautifully put together - just too advanced. The car dominated and was sidelined by & a 10 cent part failure - total crap luck if you ask me. Andy Granatelli & Parnelli Jones were the real deal and deserved far more than Indy ever gave back, and good on them for never being afraid to try new things.


Love the Team Granatelli STP p.j.'s!

The turbine was a sensation, very fast, brilliant design, and a pretty car to boot. It made 1967 one of the most exciting Indy 500's ever. Too bad the cars are so LAME now. They lost me years ago, so I wallow in youtube.


It looks like Parnelli got over it!

mental health day score

Why don't I live here? Don't worry folks I'm stayin' put.

Some more from last week's swell

Pictures by Greg Sacca.

Your's truly exhibiting the caveman stance - we're just about ready to ditch the boots & gloves!

Thanks for the pics Greg, I'll try my best to not snake you next time.

Gorgeous Day Marks 3 Days of Fun Swell

What I call "chamber of commerce weather": 75 degrees, light offshores, and a groudswell that's welcome to stay as long as it likes, it can make itself at home.




Jesse Ciarmataro rocks: post session drinks and merriment!

Terry Martin, legendary Hobie Shaper Dead at at 74 After a Long Battle with Cancer.

Holycrap - what is this cool guy death week? Maurice Sendak, Adam Yauch, Carroll Shelby, and now Terry Martin. Not to sound like a smart ass but this shit's only supposed to happen in 3's.

Terry Martin was a California surfer/shaper who has worked for Hobie Surfboards since 1963. He had shaped an estimated 70 thousand boards.

Carroll Shelby 1923 - 2012

A national treasure passes away. Amazing life - books have been written and there are rumors of a movie - kind of like the most interesting man in the world, but in a quietly Texan way. The real deal, period.

The man Behind the Legendary Shelby Cobras and Shelby Mustangs

Under Shelby the US won, no dominated LeMans for 4 years with the most gorgeous cars - did us Yanks proud thanks for the gorgeous motors.

The Aussie "Involvement" Style x Aussie Surfabilly

Hitting it right

Hitting it right - so hard these days. Hitting it right - being at the right place at the right time both on the water and inside. And aww - we had a breakthrough moment today - the noserider prefers a little juice before she accepts a dance. So know we know - and it's going to be beautiful!

I passed but others managed to have a good time:

Long ass day kept me on the so so sidelines - so gloomy out!

Muscle Car Monday - all Indy, all May - 1965: the British Invasion - not just for music anymore.

Can anything stop the British?

The British and their tiny, rear-engine cars . In '65 they pulled it off after trying for only 2 years. F1 Champion and Scottish national hereo, the late great Jim Clark won the event in fine style.

week 2 of blowing the pipes out mentally: Mt Lafayette redux

We caught a huge break with the weather.



The forest primeval - parts of the trail were like an emerald-lined tavern, moss, ferns, fiddleheads, etc.



I always depended on the kindness of strangers, some kind gals from Maine had surplus sushi at the hut.


The Hut - alot like Hogan's Heros, but no radio in the coffee can or barbed wire.


The full moon was especially bright - dang lens kept fogging up.



The descent


The surf has been horrible - I'd love to cover more of that - but maybe it's time to put some of the grease back in the Tyde untl the waves come up - it is May after all! That means - yes I got it - Indycar Tuesday - each Tuesday or whenever I damn feel like it I'll feature a cool Indy racer from back in the day.