I am proud to support Brendan’s Fund. This local organization provides financial and emotional assistance to Cape May County families coping with pediatric cancer. The Surf Memorial is next Saturday- and a full week’s worth of events starting tonight (see web site or posters in local businesses for more details).
Join in…it’s an expectionally worthy cause.
 The water temperature is finally in the 70’s. Time to get back in the ocean! The local newspaper is calling it “Lake Atlantic” due to the lack of waves.
I miss my early moring beach walking companions- the dolphins, and hope the warmer water brings them back closer to shore soon…
 Even if you don’t live on the bay- there are opportunities to enjoy the calm (and usually warmer) back bay waterways. Avalon and Stone Harbor have several public docks. The easiest for parking: Avalon Bay Park with a fishing/crabbing dock on 53rd Street, and swimming dock/ kayak launch area on 57th Street. Other docks: 8th Street, over the 21st and 25th Street bridges, 23rd Street, 81st Street, 83rd Street, and 113th Street.
Tide schedule available on Avalon Anchorage Marina’s web site: http://www.avalonanchorage.com/
Another big weekend along Seven Mile Beach. The first Saturday of August is traditionally our busiest rental check in day, with the popular Arts and Crafts Show one of the main attractions.  A fast moving thunderstorm rolled in early Saturday morning. The gusty winds toppled several deck tables- a frustrating mess because the tempered glass breaks in to a billion pieces! (a practical reason to always secure your deck umbrella when not in use).
 A Walk After Sunset Tonight
It was wonderfully cool along the beach- and the lights of Wildwood boardwalk glowed in the distance. One bright star over the calm ocean, and a crescent moon over the bay. Most decks were in use as family and friends enjoyed the night (this is the true sense of a seashore vacation). I also appreciated the opportunity to see inside the well lit homes as I walked by (totally real estate related…not just me being nosy!)
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 Back bay kayaking- an economical way to see wildlife (and houses!) up close. I was out the other night just before sunset…a comfortable breeze and the opportunity to watch graceful snowy egrets as I paddled near the marsh.
This morning, the bay was completely still.  It was an equilibrium challenging combination- the reflection of the clouds and houses on the bay, plus a light mist. A great way to start the day 🙂
There was a segment on The Today Show this morning about staying safe on vacation.
The statement that caught my attention- “parents let down their guard, and don’t always enforce the same rules that apply at home”. Unfortunately, very true.
Two recent examples that I observed: bike riders (including several adults with their kids in the attached buggy) out during the height of the severe thunder storm Sunday-  hopefully they were rushing home, but it was hard to tell; and a young girl at the beach by herself in the early morning hours to collect shells- I’ve seen her each morning this week- no adult in sight. Noticed her walking off the beach and she is staying 2 blocks back.Â
We may feel that we live in “Utopia”, but the shore is still part of the real world (thankfully a modified version).Â
 I didn’t believe the weather forecast (I prefer to live in denial) – and made plans for some time on the beach after work this afternoon. The heavy rain caused minor flooding along Dune Drive, and our visitors to run for cover! Messy afternoon- but the sky is looking brighter.
 This artistic sand sculpture remained intact over night. The beach cleaner was kind enough to circle around it, so it could be admired for another day.
I feel guilty if I am the first set of foot prints over rows of freshly raked sand. It’s like walking on just vacuumed carpet!Â
The seagulls have had the stronghold on the shore for years- a rival group was bound to hear about the opportunities and try to move in.Â
Has anyone else noticed the black crows? They are breaking in to trash bags and wandering the beach like they own the place.Â
I see them nesting in the center island trees, and stalking the streets on trash day. The other evening on the beach, the crows were all around, surrounding my chair- very creepy!Â
 Crows on the wire.
Sunday Sights
Mystery solved: What happens to all of those giantic stuffed animals on display in the game areas on Wildwood Boardwalk? Certainly no one ever wins one…