October 16 (10.17.2019)

There’s something about October 16th that makes our lake magical.
October 16, 2018, was probably my favorite day at the lake since I moved here. The wind was super strong, and I think you have all learned my fascination with big waves! As I arrived at the beach that night, the sun was setting. The sky was on fire in the southwest with the golden glow of the fading sun. The rest of the sky was the most brilliant shades of pink, orange and hints of purple. There was a stark contrast between the bluish green water, and each wave was accentuated by a whitecap. The entire view was breathtaking, and it wasn’t just because the wind was so blowing so hard!

Fast forward to one year later— October 16, 2019. The landscape was completely different than one year prior, but the strong winds out of the northwest did not disappoint. Initially, I watched the waves from Silver Beach. I was amazed to see that the beach was pretty much gone. The water was being pushed so far up that there was only (maybe) 50 feet between the waterline and the yellow statue that is on the hill. (The hill is no longer a hill; now the statue is almost at the same level as the water.) As I tried to take pictures, it felt like I was in a wind tunnel.

I watched as the waves washed over the “Tiscornia” side of the lighthouse. The waves never hit that side of the lighthouse, and I was amazed to see water splashing far over the red portion. On the other side of the catwalk, the water was absolutely churning. There were multitudes of enormous waves. I have seen bigger waves at the lake, but I have never seen so many intense, large waves so close together. It was absolutely amazing to see the ginormous amounts of water that were engulfing the catwalk and outer pier light. 

I almost headed home, but something inside me was pulling me toward Tiscornia. When I arrived, I could not be more impressed and in awe. As I pulled up, the sun was just peeking out from underneath a shelf of clouds. There was an intense ray of orange light broadcasting across the lighthouse and onto the churning water. There were a number of “wave lovers” like me there, and we all stood in almost complete silence, so impressed by the majestic view in front of us.
One of the reasons I love the lake much is because it has a way of making the small things seem small. I am always taken a back by the power and force of the water that I love so much. Something about those waves puts things into perspective for me. I am so grateful to live in a place I love so much. I am so fortunate to have daily access to something that invokes so much peace and happiness.
Pictures below: October 16, 2018, from Second Street beach (top). October 16, 2019, from Tiscornia (bottom).