Category Archives: People

Moving Toes in the Sand

Last year Magnum photographer David Harvey asked me to help him on an assignment for a National Geographic story about rising sea level. He wanted to shoot the ocean encroaching on the Mirlo Beach subdivision in north Rodanthe, a familiar place.

The oceanfront at Mirlo has had a history of erosion for as long as I can remember, and the wave action there has attracted surfers for years. In 1984 Hurricane Josephine took out a protective dune line, and it has been a more vulnerable spot ever since.

Not only has the paved highway been taken out numerous times, but some homes have fallen into the sea as well. A few homeowners have moved their buildings to somewhat safer ground. The first house to be built on the Mirlo Beach oceanfront was called East Wind. It was built by developer Roger Meekins as a spec house. Later sold to new owners, it was renamed Toes in the Sand. It became the second house to be saved on that ill-fated oceanfront. Serendipity moved in 2009, was the first.

With Toes scheduled for relocation to another lot, David wanted to document it. Knowing that Cape Hatteras Electric Membership Co-op was going to be involved moving power lines, I contacted CHEMC to see if David could use of one of their bucket trucks in the process. Everything fell right into place.

Just before the house was pulled off the beach, David waited with Carroll Midgett.

With the house was underway, I drove David down the road to the bucket truck.

Once up in the air, he got the desired perspective.

Backing in was a piece of cake for Abode House Movers.

In the end, David was pleased.

After a job well done, David pauses with Candy, his assistant… before going off to Mac’s for lunch.

For a look at the story, go to this web address:

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/special-features/2014/07/140725-outer-banks-north-carolina-sea-level-rise-climate/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Social&utm_content=link_fb20140725news-outer-banks&utm_campaign=Content&sf3855533=1

Jim Cantore Sighting

I’ve never had a 4th of July celebration quite like this year. It came with a big bang. Hurricane Arthur was a little too much, too soon. Winds began to really wail at around 2 in the morning, and by 4 or so they were approaching, possibly exceeding 100 mph. I drifted in and out of sleep, winds buffeting the roof over my head.

The wind fell out briefly then switched back to hurricane force, pushing the Pamlico Sound waters across our vulnerable village. My barometer read 978 millibars and gradually began to rise around 5:00 or so.

Midgett Way

At dawn Arthur revealed her wrath. It was a wind and storm surge flooding event, and I knew from experience this would make for an arduous clean up. I’ll continue this blog after I’ve had time to pick up the pieces and regain my composure.

The day after the storm, Denise and I went to the Waves Market for a sandwich from their Deli. The Weather Channel was out front preparing for a broadcast. I spoke to an assistant as meteorologist Jim Cantore walked up to say hello. Denise came over and said she had placed our order at the Deli. Jim replied that he’d just eaten there and that “their sandwiches are phenomenal”. That’s an endorsement we agree with.

We spoke of storm surges and flooding. Cantore added that this time the hurricane’s speed of movement was our friend. I couldn’t agree more with him. It made the effects much less than it could have been.

To Be Continued…

The Paddle Out

Nothing can pay tribute, to a surfer who has passed away, more than a ceremonial paddle out. It is surfing’s honorable sendoff. We put the word out to do this for Robin and didn’t know what kind of turn out to expect.

On October 5th at noon, participants began arriving at the Rodanthe Pier for an informal covered dish beach party. By about 1:00 there were well over 150 people on site to pay their respects. We began paddling out at 1:15. It looked like about 80 people, aged 8 and up, on surfboards, a few kayaks and boogie boards.

It was slick calm, warm and sunny, ideal conditions for Robin’s memorial.

The photographs shown here are a compilation of several contributing photographers:

Amberly Dyer, April Contestable, Bev Martin, Jim and Marcy Martin, Ben Tran, Denise and Mike Halminski

Kelly Schoolcraft and Russell Blackwood were on hand to pay their respects

So were Jay and Scooter.

There was plenty to eat, especially when Eric came in hoisting a bushel of steamed crabs.

Chandra Rutledge made three beautiful leis for the occasion.

Denise was my co-conspirator for this great event.

Beverly Bull gave me some bird of paradise flowers to throw out on the sea, along with Chandra’s orchid lei.

Our special guests were Robin’s cousins, Rob and Jean Marie from Delaware. They were accompanied by their spouses, Jeff (left) and Bev (center). There were many great stories shared by them.

Charlie and Betz Mullen had it made in the shade..

Jo and Buddy Brothers did too.

Eric Anglin was ready to go out.

Let the paddle out begin!

GoPro YouTube video: courtesy of Brett Butler

Richard Byrd was paddling Robin’s ten foot Gary Propper model vintage Hobie.

Eric and I thought it would be nice to extend the paddle out to the shipwreck and secure the lei to a buoy.

Selby Gaskins Jr. and crew watched from the pier.

Colin and Ben Tran witnessed their first Paddle Out.

Twelve year old Ben made this remarkable interpretation of the ceremony.

There were petals out on the water.

We paddled out to the wreck.

April had her old Dewey Weber.

Jon Brown brought out his Redman shaped Hatteras Glass.

Robin’s old buddy Benji Stansky watched from the pier.

Jan Deblieu, Susan West, Marcia Lyons and Beverly Bull celebrate on the end of the pier.

Allen Jones had his studio set up.

At eight years old, Mia Phillips made the entire paddle out to the shipwreck.

Eleven year old Johnny Contestable also made it out to the wreck.

Here I am with Robin’s favorite Natty Bo and writer Jan Deblieu.

There were shots to be had.

Allen Jones made this striking portrait of Robin with his “Propper” in 1998.

Robin had this photograph on his wall for as long as I’ve known him. It was taken at the north side of Indian River Inlet in 1967. He would have just graduated from high school.

Aloha, Robin!

Hunter, Gatherer

More than once, Robin told me that he was a living anachronism. From his early years as a kid in Delaware, he was already interested in hunting, fishing, trapping and archaeology. He loved the natural environment as a gift, and learned how to use it.

By the time I had him as a neighbor here in Waves, he was quite adept at all of those interests. At times, for our small band of surfing brothers, he was a provider.

With a light dusting of snow, the geese were flying by in formation. Robin got 3 right off the bat behind our trailer in Salvo. 1977

Robin had just shot this deer in Buxton Woods, and came by to show BJ and me when we lived in Salvo. Susie, his black lab was a great bird dog and didn’t normally hunt deer with him.1977

Robin would often jump shoot for his water fowl. In this 1985 photo,he used my chesapeake bay retriever, Boca, for some teal hunting.

In this 1991 photo, Robin was free diving for fish over the 1891 shipwreck, Strathairly. His spear fishing exploits were largely successful.

In 1978, the S-Curve area had a wave that walled up beautifully and was uncrowded. Robin rode a single fin 6-10 winger-pintail that he made. He was not using surf leashes yet, and was about the only one in the water that knee paddled for his waves.

Robin and I went clamming on Ocracoke Island frequently. In 1994 we raked this nice basketful.

The CR Connection

In 1982, at the invitation from friend Jeff Ray, I made my first trip to Costa Rica. Jeff had been there lots of times and even owned a rustic thatched hut on a secluded beach. It was this introduction that had me returning numerous times thereafter. I loved the country, the surf and the diversity of nature. It was a photographer’s dream.

I went again in 1990. This time I was traveling with my brother and Robin. They had never been to Costa Rica before and I showed them places that I enjoyed on previous trips. We moved around for about a month, but spent the bulk of our time in one of my favorite spots, the left handed point break of Pavones.

Robin posed with our rental 4×4 at the Monteverde Cloud Forest.

We set up camp right at the point, and the cantina pit bull became our friend.

Once camped out next to the river mouth, we made ourselves quite at home. This was Easter dinner.

Tailgate party at the point, featuring Rob, Ron Centenario and Robin.

One afternoon my brother and I sat on the wall at the cantina and watched Robin buzz by toward the cove.

Then he walked up the rocky beach and joined us in the cantina

Robin was so amazed by the place that he went back there almost every year since. He got to know the locals and made many new friends. His final trip was 2010.

I went back in 1994 for some extensive hiking, but didn’t return after that. It was not until 2007 when Robin invited Denise and I to Costa Rica for a belated honeymoon. Through some friends, he arranged for us to stay in a beautiful house perched on the hillside of the rain forest at Punta Banco. It was a trip of a lifetime. We will never forget his consideration and love for us.

The view from our room was spectacular, and the beach exquisite.

Michael Halminski Photographer

Waves, North Carolina