Not every summer day at the beach is bright and sunny. This is New England. A "northeaster" changes our view of our surroundings, even in summer. To a Rhode Islander, it means that we look at the sky. We test the force of the wind. We watch the chop on the water. We double up mooring lines. There is a palpable change to the air pressure. This is part of our beach summer. Bring out the board games.

Rome Point NortheasterViewing northeast from the very end of Rome Point in North Kingstown, Rhode Island. "Northeast" is significant because this is from where the wind comes. With the tide on the flood, inbound, Narragansett Bay boils.

Rome Point Northeaster

Viewing northeast from the very end of Rome Point in North Kingstown, Rhode Island. "Northeast" is significant because this is from where the wind comes. With the tide on the flood, inbound, Narragansett Bay boils.
 

Northeaster Rome Point ResultsWhen the wind pipes up out of the northeast, even the relative shelter of Narragansett Bay causes the chop to make a spectacle on the rocks.

At Rome Point, North Kingstown, Rhode Island.

Northeaster Rome Point Results

When the wind pipes up out of the northeast, even the relative shelter of Narragansett Bay causes the chop to make a spectacle on the rocks.
 

Northeast Winds Over Bissel CoveMost photographers avoid showing a lot of water in their photographs. They don't like scenes where there is something not happening. This scene in Bissel Cove (North Kingstown, Rhode Island) has a lot happening above and below. There is the low ceiling of the clouds above and small waves pushed by the northeast wind. Waves coming in through "The Narrows", a protected area, is something happening.

Northeast Winds Over Bissel Cove

Most photographers avoid showing a lot of water in their photographs. They don't like scenes where there is something not happening. This scene in Bissel Cove (North Kingstown, Rhode Island) has a lot happening above and below. There is the low ceiling of the clouds above and small waves pushed by the northeast wind. Waves coming in through "The Narrows", a protected area, is something happening.
 

Breezy Bissel CoveWaves pushed in through "The Narrows" at Bissel Cove. As seen from Rome Point in North Kingstown, Rhode Island

Breezy Bissel Cove

Waves pushed in through "The Narrows" at Bissel Cove. As seen from Rome Point in North Kingstown, Rhode Island
 

Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) said it best, "I reverently believe that the Maker who made us all makes everything in New England but the weather. I don't know who makes that, but I think it must be raw apprentices in the weather-clerk's factory who experiment and learn how, in New England, for board and clothes, and then are promoted to make weather for countries that require a good article, and will take their custom elsewhere if they don't get it.

There is a sumptuous variety about the New England weather that compels the stranger's admiration -- and regret. The weather is always doing something there; always attending strictly to business; always getting up new designs and trying them on the people to see how they will go..."

Photos from our Made From RI Gallery portfolio display "Summer At The Beach" (all photos are available as prints, canvas wraps, framed works, cards, or many other formats). See more here: https://www.madefromrigallery.com/p627470520

© Keith R Wahl, Made From RI/Made From RI Gallery, 2020. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Keith R Wahl and Made From RI/Made From RI Gallery with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.