TS 11 -- Florida, again

[Cagliostro]

I think I might make my way down to the beach this evening:

POWERFUL HURRICANE IVAN WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE ON A NORTH-NORTHWEST
TRACK THROUGH THE SOUTH CENTRAL GULF OF MEXICO TONIGHT AND EARLY
WEDNESDAY. THE STORM IS GENERATING LARGE SWELLS OF OVER 12 FEET THAT
WILL BRING DANGEROUS WATER ACTION ALONG THE COAST AND AREA BEACHES
TONIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY. THIS INCLUDES ROUGH SURF...LARGE BREAKING
WAVES...STRONG UNDERTOWS...AND RIP CURRENTS.

[cincygreg]

UH OH, Jeane wasnt supposed to be gainging Hurricane status until late this week. As of the latest projections, it could be late Wednesday or early thursday.

[Cagliostro]

If Ivan makes a direct landfall on NO there will likely be no "rebuilding". The city will be a new lake. I am surprised it hasn't happened already in the past 200 yrs. It sits below sea level and has a huge lake to the north. How it has remained a dry "bowl" in effect is quite remarkable.

[cincygreg]

If this current path holds true, it looks like Jeane has Carolina on her mind.

Still hoping it take a bigger turn to the right and heads out to seas.

[Raven Soul]

Please do not let this thing make a direct hit on New Orleans. I know it is still a little ways off, but I plan on spending my honeymoon there and I heard it takes awhile to rebuild. That and New Orleans is the most beautiful place I have seen and to see it underwater would be very dishearting.

[Cagliostro]

Went to the beach last night and found some really cool shells. Most of the really big ones were smashed to pieces though. The surf wasn't very high but was it strong. They advise not going into the water above your knees and I can see why: just walking in it ankle deep almost knocked me down several times from the rip currents. (under tow)

Today Clearwater Beach is getting 6 ft waves crashing in which is very rare. So this evening I have to make my way down to the beach again. My brother is off work today and he went down this morning and told me he found some of the biggest shells he has ever found, like you see being found down in Key West ordinarily.

Beings today is payday I have my usual payday errands to run (like grocery shopping) but I'm going to leave work at 4:00 so I have time to do everything and make it to the beach.