As busy as last month was at the coast, it was equally busy in September.  Hubs and I drove out on a Sunday, around noon, and are shocked with the traffic leaving.  “I wonder if they know something we don’t,” I teased.

Once at our cozy hotel, The Sandcastle, we chatted with the host at the front desk.  She said that the last two weekends had been full for the hotel and the entire town.  There appears to be an app (of course there is) that let’s one know hotel availability.  Well, the town has been full up the last few weekends.

We unpacked and knew we’d be in for a rainy three days.  Rain does not spoil the coast, it is just a different way to enjoy it.

It was hard to keep up with the weather Sunday and Monday since it changed so quickly.

There was something brewing from the north and we could see rain showers through the clouds.  “Our” seal went back and forth peeking at anyone who strolled by.  Hubs went out a couple of times to gather rocks or shells and spend time near the ocean’s edge.

We usually close the drapes when it turns dark, because we have learned from experience that if you leave the drapes and lights on….your large window becomes a TV show for those on the beach.  But Monday night was different.  We heard about a storm moving in and learned there might be lightening.

I understand that this is no big deal for those used to thunder storms.  But in the valley, we get lightening and thunder about three times a year, if that.  We were eager for a show.

The thunder rolled and the lightening struck, zig-zagging into the ocean from time to time.  Mostly, we saw lights behind clouds, but it was still very exciting.  It was a first for us both.

Tuesday morning around 7 AM we heard what sounded like a bolt of lightening and then hail descended.  I was first to the window, cell phone in hand.  Hubs was growling in the bedroom about the light switch.  What???

Then we tried another then another.  No electricity.  We tried to call the desk.  No phone, no wifi.  Hummmmm.  Hubs went down to the office and learned the whole hotel had lost power.  Not only that, the town along main street had lost power as well.

We bundled up and just enjoyed the view.  The electricity was back on within three hours, so we felt rather lucky.

The storm had re-arranged the view.  New rivulets twisted to the north.  Tiny pipers and large seagulls alike were feasting.  Mounds of seaweed had been tossed on the sand.

The tide, which had been a good distance from the hotel, delivered a huge trunk near the back door.  Click on the link below to see a wave I caught from our hotel window.

We left at 11:00 feeling rejuvenated, another wonderful three days at the coast.