A Once in a Lifetime Storm

On Friday three days after the ice storm, ice still coated the shady sides of the streets. I've never heard such a deep silence in Gulf Breeze as there was the day after the storm. Roads, bridges, schools and businesses were closed for more than two days. Long time residents said they'd never seen  the spectacle of ice encased pine boughs and crepe myrtles on the coast. Crystals of ice accumulated on the ground creating the appearance of a dusting of snow. Road salt isn't stocked in a place that never needs it. Streets and sidewalks were so slick that it was easier to slide along them as if on skates than to try to walk.

Palmettos in ice

By Friday, most of it was over and the local plein air group came out to paint along the waterfront. Though it was early afternoon, a sunset colored fog was rolling in from across the Gulf of Mexico. Here is my sketch of Pensacola Bay looking across toward the Gulf. 

Into the Gulf - oil - 7x16