On Sunday, October 28, 2018 we were headed home from a week long trip at Allegany State Park.  During the 7 1/2 hour drive we received a text from our neighbors across the street, asking if we knew that a storm had come through and there was a flood in our hood.  Our vacation was 'unplugged' so we were completely unaware that a nor'easter had hit the east coast.  With this storm came intense coastal flooding.

I didn't realize how serious this flood was until the neighbors sent a photo of our recycle bin floating in front of their door, which was consistently alarming their RING app.

We have resided in Connecticut now for over 4 months and have been curious about this 'flood' situation ever since we moved in.  What will happen?  How bad will it be?  How often will we get flooding?

Our house is built on 15' stilts and our realtor was adamant that if we purchase a house in this area, it needed to be a 'lifted' house.  We now know that having anything in the garage that isn't 'at least' 4-5' off the ground, will end up taking a swim at some point.

Another neighbor who sent us the first picture in this blog post, said that the street alarms went off and everyone in my neighborhood was evacuated.  I wished we were here to have been able to move the vehicle from the garage and protect my lawn mower and other items... 

Interestingly, less than 48 hours later you wouldn't even know there was a flood.  The water went back where it belongs, the neighbors all squeegeed out their garages and the town came and picked up trash while cleaning the streets.  It all happened so fast.  We will be trading in our push broom for a squeegee.

Many of our friends and family back home have asked what happened, so I thought this post would help answer some of their questions.

#lifeonthecoast

July 8, 2018

While there is still unpacking and organizing to be done at the new house, I was determined to get out on the ocean today in our new party float.  I have watched other neighbors float around day after day and have been waiting for the opportunity to try it myself. 

It really is just as relaxing as it looks. 

We only stayed out for about 20 minutes... getting this house in order takes priority right now.  But it was SO worth it to take those 20 minutes to relax and enjoy.

I still feel like I'm on vacation...  None of this feels real yet. 

June 18, 2018

If you have to take a phone call, might as well take it on the beach.

Here's today's view at Point Beach in Milford, CT.

June 18 2018

The sky is blue and the air is warm but if you take a look at the ocean, it will tell you there's a storm on the way.

This was my first walk around my new beach neighborhood and we were in awe over the size of the crashing waves.

Long Island Sound - Milford, CT

June 24, 2018

Even a rainy day is a good day at the beach.  We took a stroll down to the beach at sunset today, taking a break from the unpacking.  Still have about a dozen boxes to go and need to get them off the garage floor before any water makes it's way up the street.

I snapped a couple black and whites and spent a moment staring at the far away clouds and the storm that's brewing in the distance.

Happy Summer!

June 11 2018

Upstate New York is known for their bitter cold winters but other than that, it really is a great place to live and the community has a lot to offer those who reside in it. The cost of living is quite low; there is an amazing abundance of outdoor activities for all seasons - parks, recreation, camping, hiking, trails, waterfalls; fantastic restaurants with diverse options; and a Wegmans around every corner. I grew up there, my family and friends are there, and my resume is postered with the projects that I helped build there.

Leaving all this... not easy.

Remain positive - think about the opportunities that lie ahead. 

When we were gratefully granted a relocation to Connecticut, I thought to myself that there is something Upstate NY doesn't have... the ocean.  So in our search for a new home - we headed straight to the coast.

I won't get into the nitty gritty of the actual move, but I will say that it takes a village to make it all happen... and moving out of state is that much harder.

Selling involves inspections, realtor showings, contractors, cleaning crews and a LOT of boxes.

Buying involves searching, paperwork, cash and a LOT of boxes.

Relocating to another state involves more than just a change of address - there's vehicle registration and drivers license changes as well as insurance changes, new family doctors and new vets, new groomers for parents and pets, and so much more.  Finding your way to the grocery store and back to your new house will likely involve the use of your iPhone map so make sure to up your data usage during the first month.  Both my daughter and myself went over our data plan due to directional impairment in unfamiliar territory.  Thankfully she was with me to help get set up in the new house while we waited for the moving company to arrive with ALL THE BOXES.

The moving truck photo above was taken in front of the NY house.

June 8, 2018

It's closing day on the new beach house! It's also the first time I will have stepped foot into my new home. Moving from Upstate New York to the coast of Connecticut isn't a far distance but it sure is far different from what I'm familiar with. 

First noticeable difference:  The smell of the salty ocean air.  At times it's a 'fishy' smell but mostly it's just a 'fresh' smell.  I can already understand what this magnetic draw to the ocean is all about - and I just got here.

The photo above is the first picture I took of our beach.  Point Beach in Milford, CT.

Today's buz words:
Freedom - Fresh air - Fish town