This morning my rain gauge showed 2 ½ inches of overnight rainfall. Despite that, with Memorial Day here, we’ve officially begun our high season for tourism. The rain from Tropical Depression Bonnie, will likely continue off and on over the next few days. Today is a washout, but yesterday was gorgeous with pleasant ocean breezes. We peddled bikes to the Rodanthe Pier to check things out before the downpour.

Out on the pier, folks were enjoying the sunny sea breeze.

                                 Looking south, it didn’t look like a typical Memorial Day Weekend.

                                 With rain in the forecast, beach goers weren’t packed in as they’d normally be.

The end of the pier isn’t out nearly as far as it used to be. It’s been destroyed continuously by storms and rebuilt multiple times.

In the Summer, there’s nothing like hanging out at the pier. Many of the same people return year after year, building memories along the way.

I noticed the dramatic sky shaping up, courtesy of Tropical Depression Bonnie. The clouds are always beautiful, yet at the same time so ominous.