So yesterday I embarked on a boating trip with my Father-In-Law and my friend Scott. It started out at about 11AM, and ended at about 7:30PM.
When we first were out of the harbor, there was very little wind and the water was as still as glass. We sat around barely moving for a while, and then eventually the wind picked up. Then after what seems like forever starring at the same island, we finally picked up some speed. It was then time to turn around.
Well, shortly after turning around to head back, the wind picked up, and the the bay started to get some 2 foot waves. It seemed like we were going as fast as ever before.. But the GPS said we were going the same speed as earlier. The problem was, the water was coming into the bay, and we were going against it. Well, that was the least of our worries.
Next thing we know we hear some thunder. Pretty cool and fun we thought. Wow, exciting look at the lightning way far off. We turned on the radio and heard something along the lines of: "Lightning Storm coming quick. Seek harbor immediately!". Well, we were going as fast as we could, so we sat tight.
As the lightning storm was getting very close, we realized we wouldn't be able to make it back in time. So, fearing electrical shock and possibly death, we managed to get into some shipyard near Quonset Point Naval Air Station. We tied it up, and while in the process I looked up and saw lightning in the background, a huge towering metal crane, and at the bottom a couple propane tanks.
We got out of there as fast as we could. We docked the boat inside some kind of restricted area, and had to crawl under a barbed wire fence to get out. A couple driving by stopped to tell us we shouldn't be in that area, and after explaining the situation they gave us a ride to the Marina. Literally the second we got in their car, it started to downpour and lightning like crazy.
I normally like rain and thunder and lightning, but that was intense. We would have been stuck next to a metal crane and other dangerous equipment. And other than that, there was an air field near by. Not much else to strike. So I'm glad to be home.
{ 5 comments }
WOW Tim! That was a most exciting and dangerous day.
You were very fortunate to reach shore and find shelter from the lightning. If interested, you can find articles regarding lightning at
Stormspotter.Org. If also has graphics and injuries, both immediate
and long term, due to lightning strikes.
Glad you made it home safely.
Bonnie (stormspotter)
Wow, that sound pretty crazy. I was down at Beach Pond and near a vehicle; fortunately, although Mike and Bill were fishing off a rock and ended up soaked they got back to the cars just as the rain stopped and the sky was clearing. That storm did come up pretty fast, but it was kind of like I could tell something was coming because where I was I heard thunder off in the distance for the about 20 mins or so prior to the storm, although the sky was clear. Then the sky started to turn and the wind blew pretty fast, but it was also over pretty quickly too.
Wow, that sounds like an interesting trip.
I would be frightened if I experienced something similar to that.
Goodness gracious, Tim!!! I’m glad you are safe!
That was quite a “boating trip”!
Nat
Yes, Tim. That was the most excitement I had ever had on the sea with PK. And also you forgot the part where Pastor Keith said,”Scott, go down under and get three life jackets. Bring them up and put them on.” Once we had them up top, Tim put his on faster than a Speeding bullet. It was quite the adventure. Can’t wait till next trip, Tim.
Comments on this entry are closed.