Ann Delaney Beach Blog

Category: Activities

  • Beachwalk Break

    I eat lunch at my desk, so an afternoon beachwalk break is more than justified 😉  Plus I missed my morning walk!

    The ocean is stormy and tides are higher than normal.  Disappointed to see a bit more beach erosion since the recent winter storm.

    But it was fascinating to watch the wild waves at the inlet (8th Street jetty).

    I posted videos on Twitter and You Tube.  Please forgive the quality…my hands were cold and I was trying to avoid being splashed!

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWBOg5njBc8

    Jetty

     

  • Back to the Beach

    Because I will be out of town during “Jonas” I asked my husband to take a few pictures for Twitter.

    I rarely take off on weekends – that’s when we’re busy with sale and rental business.  Yet I doubt I will miss anything THIS weekend…other than storm chasing adventures!

    Instead, I will tweet updates from snowy New York City.  And, will be back to the beach Sunday night (weather permitting).

    path

     

     

  • Unique Christmas

    Christmas Eve-  a quick stop to photograph the Ferris wheel at Morey’s Pier in Wildwood.

    Christmas morning- a beach walk and bay kayaking before Christmas dinner with family.   Life is good!

    MoreyMoreys2ChristmasKayaking

     

     

  • Dashing Thru the Sand 5K Run/Walk

    DashingBurn off a few Christmas cookies, and support a local charity!

    Sunday, December 27th at 9am.

    Registration at Avalon Community Hall, 30th and Avalon Avenue, Avalon NJ.

    Race/walk along the beach!

    Proceeds benefit the Live Like Lozier Memorial Foundation in memory of Craig K. Lozier.

    For more information, click HERE

     

     

  • Dress for Success

    My tips for walking the beach in the winter:

    FOOT WEAR- sneakers do not work.  I wear hiking shoes (Merrell’s).  They keep my feet warm and dry, and provide better stability when I “hike” over the jetty rocks!

    SOCKS- I’m a fan of Smart Wool socks.

    PANTS- jeans are like sneakers…worn only when the weather is mild.  Thicker material is best- even if they still have the “mom jeans” look.

    TURTLENECK- prefer those with a stretched out neck- to pull up when walking into the wind.

    JACKET-  I wear an LL Bean ski jacket that I bought on sale years ago (with a hood, and inside pocket to keep my phone warm).  I like that it’s a bright color to contrast against the gray sand/sky.

    HAT/GLOVES- some are warmer than others- depends on weather conditions.  If it’s really brutal, I wear a neck scrunchie that will partially cover my face.

    Doesn’t this sound fun…not to mention fashionable??

    Actually, it’s totally worth it for the views.  Plus I am motivated by my blog and Twitter followers expecting pictures 😉

    shoesDunes

     

  • Shore Life

     “One of these things is not like the other…”

    Members of the Stone Harbor Garden Club hang seashore themed Christmas wreaths at various public areas throughout town.  A nice back drop for my kayaking trip yesterday 😉

    DecKayaking

     

     

  • A Slower Pace

    High tide this morning = walking in the soft sand.  That slowed my pace…as did the views!

    MondayJettyOystercatchersMonday2Jetty2

  • Critters, Adventures, and Beaches

    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.

    WaterfallCanopyTour2CanopyTourIguanaPoolcritterMonkeyWhale

  • Ocean Waves

    The participants of the 19th Annual Nuns’ Beach Surf Contest are hoping for improvement. The first heat starts at 9am on Saturday: Villa Maria by the Sea, 111th Street, Stone Harbor.  The kind Sisters will be on hand selling coffee and Nuns’ Beach wear to the spectators.  Funds raised help maintain the landmark building and grounds.

    In the meantime, I’m taking advantage of the lack of waves by ocean kayaking!

    I see tons of dolphins when I walk the beach.  Yet, 3 times out kayaking…and not a dolphin to be found.  I guess they are waiting for the waves, too 😉

    Septemberkayaking

     

     

  • Just An Ordinary Day?

    My before work  routine is like most:  start a load of wash, straighten up the house, pack lunches, and read the paper while eating breakfast.

    Oh, and I also check the wind direction and tide to decide between a beach walk or kayaking!

    This morning the bay was like glass…with the clouds reflecting off of the water.  Just beautiful!

    Satkayaking1Satkayaking2Bridge