Another Storm

As usual, the recent storm brought memories of storms past. And one in particular because I have a photo from that event. I think it was 1953 and it was in Redondo Beach. The storm surge had been increasing the height of the waves for a few days and the water was threatening the Triangle Shopping Center, right across from the rocky beach named Moonstone Beach. (King Harbor and the breakwater didn’t exist at this time and there were homes that fronted directly on the beach as well.) I had a Kodak Brownie camera and was hoping to get some photos of the destruction caused by the waves hurling large rocks onto the houses (They had all been evacuated) and into the street.

I quickly found out that if I wanted a good picture, I would have to get past the Civil Defense volunteers that were blocking access to the alley that ran between the houses. I waited for my chance and when the volunteer left his post for a minute, I dashed across the street and into the alley. From there I made it to the edge of the beach and could see the waves forming off shore. Well, as you know, everything looks smaller and further away when seen through a camera viewfinder. I looked up just in time to see a wave about to crash on me. I ran, but wasn’t quick enough to avoid being soaked. The camera was OK, so I decided to stay, but a little further away. There was a phone booth nearby and a few times I ran into it to avoid an especially tall wave. Finally, I was spotted and told to leave the area.

A few days later I returned to see what damage had been done. Most of the houses were beyond repair as the large rocks had virtually destroyed them. And there, in the alley, was the phone booth. Destroyed. A very large rock sitting in the middle of it.

Now I’m wondering if have already posted this story? I looked in the Family Matters blog and didn’t see it there, so maybe I’m safe. It also may be that I’ve just told the story too often.