Fun Swell, Crazy Wind the Week Before

Just some pics from the last 2 weeks

Towards Cape Ann from Ipswich

Crane's Beach

50 years today

A big milestone for me.

Of all the money that e'er I spent
I've spent it in good company
And all the harm that ever I did
Alas it was to none but me
And all I've done for want of wit
To memory now I can't recall
So fill to me the parting glass
Good night and joy be with you all

-Old Irish song

Here's to the next 50 years!

Musclecar Monday - 1970 GTO Judge

The GTO was the brainchild of Pontiac engineer Russell Gee, an engine specialist; Bill Collins, a chassis engineer; and Pontiac chief engineer John DeLorean. In early 1963, General Motors' management issued an edict banning divisions from involvement in auto racing. This followed the 1957 voluntary ban on automobile racing that was instituted by the Automobile Manufacturers Association.[4] By the early 1960s, Pontiac's advertising and marketing approach was heavily based on performance, and racing was an important component of that strategy. With GM's ban on factory-sponsored racing, Pontiac's young, visionary management turned its attention to emphasizing street performance.
A new option was Pontiac's 455 HO engine (different from the round-port offerings of the 1971–72 cars), available now that GM had rescinded its earlier ban on intermediates with engines larger than 400. A functional Ram Air scoop was available. Car and Driver tested a heavily optioned 455, with a four-speed transmission and 3.31 axle and recorded a quarter mile time of 15.0 seconds with a trap speed of 96.5 mph.

Two-Lane Blacktop
An Orbit orange 1970 GTO with the 455 engine and Turbo Hydra-Matic transmission was one of the featured cars in the movie Two-Lane Blacktop, which depicted an unlikely cross-country race between a new GTO and a quintessential hotrodded, grey primer-painted, 1955 Chevrolet drag car with a dual quad tunnel ram "454" engine and a four-speed manual. The GTO, owned by the studio, was not depicted as a Judge; however, in reality it was a RAIV powered Judge. They mentioned the "455" engine as it projected a more powerful offering to the public.

108.6 inches - we did it!

Tortola Diary Part Deux

Because we're all sick of this winter around here, just a few more pics from back in January from the fantastic British Virgin Islands. It's been almost 2 months - just memories now, but fondest ones, great surf, weather, locals, friends, food, and times.  Yes, life is indeed good.

Jamaican pro surfer Icah Wilmot's amazing setup
Icah is one of the most righteous individuals you will ever meet

frozen inspirations and frozen aspirations

This winter has shut everything down (including this blog), shut everyone in, and shut me out of any surfing. This is the 1st year I haven't surfed locally for 2 calendar months. I have always surfed at least once in any given February, not this year. And do you know what? When it's 14° with 30mph winds, I really don't care if mounds of plowed snow are blocking so much ocean access, because I'm not even getting out of my damn car, let along my living room!

So we suck it up and shovel. And shovel. Shovel the roof twice. To get it clear? Well sort of, to get it clear only to make way for the next weekly blizzard. Rinse, repeat.

Thus ends my gripe, dear readers. It's March, a new month, hopefully the sun will melt some snow and open up some parking spots. And I'll be dissapointed if 2015 doesn't set a snowfall record for the greater Boston area, too much blood, sweat, and tears has been shed!