While I am enjoying the pink sky at dawn and photographing the sunrise…the time change will definitely help with my morning beach walks.
I prefer to leave the house in daylight so that I have a clear view of any roaming skunks!
While I am enjoying the pink sky at dawn and photographing the sunrise…the time change will definitely help with my morning beach walks.
I prefer to leave the house in daylight so that I have a clear view of any roaming skunks!
I know I’m fortunate to walk the beach and kayak in the back bay on a regular basis, yet there’s also a “work” aspect to my activities.
What better way to appreciate a water front location than from the water?!
The first cold snap of the season is a reminder for all of us to:
1) close crawl space vents (to prevent cold air from circulating under the house and freezing the pipes)
2) turn off and drain the outside shower and faucets
3) remove hoses from the frost free faucets
4) turn the heat on low if you are not completely winterizing the inside pipes
5) open the cabinet doors under all sinks to allow warm air to flow around the pipes
6) turn off the main water valve if possible to minimize damage in the event of a leak
7) turn off the water valves to the washer
8) unplug small appliances
9) lock all windows and doors- and secure storm doors and outside shower doors so they don’t blow open in the wind
If you are unable to check on your shore house on a regular basis, I recommend a winter watch service to provide peace of mind. Â Happy to provide contact info for reliable inspectors.
Late yesterday, I walked the beach in Avalon from my office (28th Street), north to the jetty.
I was pleasantly surprised by the lack of damage from last week’s storm (see the 2 pictures below).
The sand added  during the recent replenishment (25th Street and north) provided a great buffer for the waves.  From 25th to 28th Streets, there are signs that the dunes were battered by the waves, yet the established dunes remain intact.
In Stone Harbor, the beaches experienced some erosion in the areas from 106th to 111th Street , as well as in the very south end near the Catamaran beach.  The Borough is working on smoothing the paths to allow safe access down to the beach.
Costa Rica. We started our vacation at Rio Perdido (rain forest with natural hot springs) and finished at the Gulf of Papagayo (Pacific Ocean side).
Our adventures included numerous hikes, zip lining over the canyons and waterfalls, river tubing (nothing like the water parks here, by the way…the required helmet was my first clue!) and of course time on the beach to recover 🙂
SO much wildlife: monkeys (including howler monkeys that sound like gorillas!), pelicans, iguanas, geckos, hermit crabs, raccoons, coatis (one of our regular pool visitors), and even whales!
One morning, we were kayaking on the amazingly clear water-  looking for sea turtles.  But instead, a whale slowly surfaced about 20 feet in front of us…and then her baby.
An incredible week of experiences.
I’m never “well rested” after a vacation because we take our adventures seriously!
Will post more pictures from Costa Rica after I catch up at work  🙂
Now that our season is quieting down, it’s fun to hear local business people discussing travel plans.
And not too surprising…many of us are drawn to beach vacations!
I find that being a tourist is a tremendous learning experience. It’s important to occasionally be on the other side to appreciate a visitor’s perspective.
So, it’s my turn to “learn”…while sitting on a beautiful beach 😉   Will post a few pictures on Twitter!
Back in the office on Saturday, October 10th.

Market Stats
Just the facts: summary of what has sold (settled) in Avalon and Stone Harbor during the past 30 days:
19 residential properties sold, ranging in price from $899,000 for a 1.5 story home on the 200 block of 15th Street; to $4,350,000 for a custom bay front home on Pelican Drive built in 2004. Â The median selling price for all single family homes:Â $1,775,000
13 condo/townhouse style units sold, ranging in price from $351,000 for the 1st floor of a duplex over the 21st Street bridge; to $1,325,000 for a bay front side by side townhouse on Sunrise Drive in Avalon. Â The median selling price for all condo/townhouse units:Â $655,000
1 multi-family unit on 82nd and Second Avenue sold for land value (structure to be torn down):Â $900,000
In addition, there are 63 properties sale pending with settlements scheduled in the near future. The median list price is $1,399,000 (final selling prices posted after settlement).
For additional information regarding the sale or rental market in Avalon /Stone Harbor, please contact me:  ann@anndelaney.com  or 609-967-7950
Thank you for your continued interest!