July 10, 2007
By: BJ Cothran
Weather Instruments
Story and photos by BJ Cothran
One thing that struck me as interesting when I moved to the island was that people talked about the weather . . . a lot. Having grown up in farm country in the middle of tornado alley, I knew a bit about weather, but the “weather talk” here was different, more personal. We live and breathe by the weather on Topsail.
We plan our daily walks by the ebb and flow of the tides so that our toes are in the sand when the beach is at its widest. After a northeaster or hurricane or storm, we talk about the speed, gusts, or even direction of the wind. Wind blowing from one direction can take our precious sand, while wind blowing from the opposite direction can bring sand back to us like a gift. When we get one of those gully-washers, we talk about how much rain fell. Many of us even plan our fishing or boating trips based on the temperature or the forecast or the barometric pressure.
So weather is more than a hobby; it’s a way of life.
To help us in our desire to know all things weather, we have lots of wonderful weather instruments in all shapes, sizes, and prices. A variety of tide/time/weather instruments can be found all over the island, but probably the most comprehensive collection is located at an island establishment that has been a favorite stop for shoppers for decades—The Gift Basket in Topsail Beach.
“People are sometimes interested in weather instruments because they make nice show pieces in the family room, particularly here at the beach, while others want them for their permanent homes so that they can take a little bit of Topsail home with them,” said Grier Fleischhauer, owner of The Gift Basket, with his wife Kristin.
“We have people from places like Ohio who come back year after year who tell us that they set their tide clocks to Topsail, so that when they walk by their clocks at home it reminds them of their favorite vacation spot.” With a smile, he added, “We’ve had calls from people whose batteries ran down who call us and ask about the tides so that they can reset their tide clocks to Topsail’s tides.”
On a recent visit to the store, I ran into one shopper, Mary McGuire, who was particularly interested in the tide and time product from POD of Edgecomb that features a customized NOAA (National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration) nautical chart of our area as the background for the clocks. “This will be a perfect gift for our host who lets us use their beach house every fall,” she said. “It’s practical but it’s got that cute quality that you’re looking for when decorating a beach rental.”
The Bey-Berk porthole clock with beveled glass and a sold brass case was a close second for Mary, with the “All-in-One” coming a close third. Their nautical feel would work well in a beach home or any place you want the look of a luxury yacht.
But where weather instruments are concerned, there are all kinds for many different home decors—from beachy and nautical to sophisticated and traditional.
One of the most popular lines is Downeaster which offers everything from tide and time clocks to barometers to instruments that measure indoor/outdoor temperatures, relative humidity, rainfall, and wind speed, direction, and gusts.
“They make it so easy,” says one customer who was doing a little early Christmas browsing. “I let each of my grown grandchildren pick out a design they like and then I give them a new addition to their collection for special occasions. Right now though, I’m looking for my husband’s office but you can’t mention my name so it will be a surprise.”
Downeaster offers a choice of dial color, case finish, and wood for the display panels or plaques. People mix and match based on their particular interests, amount of space available for the display, and budget. The instruments can be mounted on wood panels or plaques, horizontally or vertically, or installed directly on the wall, depending on your personal style. The possibilities are endless. There’s even a black walnut mantle stand available that will fit most instruments.
“Women are attracted to weather instruments,” says Kristin, “but they sometimes use the excuse that they’re buying them for their husbands.”
And one of the reasons a lot of husbands are interested in them is because a lot of them are fishermen—although plenty of fishers are women, too. The Gone Fishin’ (instead of just wishin’) tide clock and barometer from Downeaster are designed with the fisher in mind. According to their brochure and a few fishermen I talked to on the beach, they agree that the fish tend to bite better a couple of hours before or after high tide. With two high and two low tides here a day, a tide clock makes a lot of sense for the fisher or beach walker who likes to plan.
If you’re fishing for pure fun, then stepping out to the surf or pier whenever you please will pass the time of day. If you’re truly looking to catch fish, a bit of skill and knowledge will generally help. It’s been said that fish bite more on a moving barometer when the pressure is rising or falling, so the revival of the Gone Fishin’ barometer is an additional instrument that might help you plan for those fishing outings. Besides, there’s more to fishing than just fishing, and thinking about it ahead of time can be half the fun.
Another company that offers plenty of options and a high level of quality is Maximum. Their wireless technology makes it easier than ever before to have even the most sophisticated weather instruments in your home. With names like Catalina, Montauk, Hatteras, Newport, Observer, Vigilant, Predictor, and Harbormaster, Maximum’s instruments have timeless appeal with wireless convenience. They offer a variety of instruments (wireless and non-wireless), display panels, and styles to choose from when planning what they call a “weather story.”
The bottom line is that weather instruments can be entertaining, educational, or simply beautiful additions to your décor—or all of the above rolled into one.
The Details
The Gift Basket
702 S. Anderson Blvd.
Topsail Beach
910-328-7111
800-424-7245