Why The Dunes Are So Important

This is the dune area in the West End of Cherry Grove post Sandy. While we appear to have lost a considerable amount, the dunes prevented ocean and wave damage to houses, hopefully including ours. The wood in the foreground is part of the recently constructed walkway from Lewis Walk to the beach. Photo by Michael Pittman.

Hurricane Sandy: The Day After

Photo: Dune damage from Hurricane Irene 2011

We had no damage or flooding to our Philadelphia home from hurricane Sandy. The only effect we noticed was a momentary power outage at around 8 PM. We are waiting this morning to get reports about the status of things out on Fire Island. A few brave souls stayed on the island and so we did see photos of flooding on the bay side of Cherry Grove that looked pretty bad. We're hoping for the best and that our little cottage was not damaged.

Hurricane Sandy Headed To Philadelphia

 Looking toward the downtown towers.

The city of Philadelphia is closed down. There is no public transportation. Schools and city offices are closed. The stores are out of bottled water. A state of emergency has been declared. We have the candles, battery radio, and flashlight ready in case we lose power.

The Afternoon Walk Along Schuylkill Banks

Looking South from Locust Street: On the left, the new pedestrian truss bridge over the CSX RR tracks. In the distance down river, the new South Street bridge with its illuminated pylons.

Looking North from Walnut Street: The PECO building.

The 911 memorial.

Looking Like Halloween

The Halloween lights come on at dusk at our Philadelphia townhouse.

Colorful Fairmount Park

Dan thinks that the fall colors are at their peak right now in the Philadelphia area. We've had cloudy mornings for the past few days, but I wanted to take a few photographs before the storm hits here early next week. Most of the leaves will probably be off of the trees by then.

Downtown Favorites

Dan and I had lunch at Cafe IXX on the 19th floor of the Hyatt (Bellevue Stratford) on Tuesday. It's a nice room with a view and the prix fixe lunch special is a good deal at $22 including a soft drink. Walking around the city looking up from time to time you can see some nice architectural eye candy.

Romobama

Photo: Palermo, August 2012

I read a piece by Daniel Ellsberg the other day. Ellsberg is a critic of Obama but he makes a strong case for voting for Obama anyway to keep Romney out of the white house. Don't you wish you could some day vote FOR somebody rather than AGAINST someone else?

The Wanamaker Organ At Macy's Philadelphia

Enjoying the daily free midday concert.

An Autumn Weekend On Fire Island

We enjoyed the weekend on Fire Island. The weather was beautiful and we took several nice long walks to the Pines and through the Sunken Forest.