Ann Delaney Beach Blog

Category: Activities

  • Family Activities

    The Cape May County Park and Zoo is a popular family destination- located just 10 minutes inland from Avalon / Stone Harbor.  AND, the facilities are open year round.

    We walked through the park and zoo last week on a day too windy for the beach.  No crowds and the animals were out awaiting their breakfast! 

    On the island, families are within walking distance, or an easy bike ride from one of the seven playground areas.

    8th Street, 30th Street, 39th Street, and 74th Street in Avalon; 81st Street, 97th, and 106th Street in Stone Harbor.

    In addition, both communities offer extensive summer programs (for all ages) through the recreation department. Links on my blog roll (right hand side of the page), and on www.powerplayrealty.com

  • Beach Obstacles

    When I posted this picture last week on Twitter, I thought the beach equipment was positioned by the Avalon fishing pier as a staging area.

    Today, I heard the details.  Turns out, in order to redistribute the sand from the south end of the island to the north end, the large trucks faced a major height obstacle: the fishing pier.

    The contractor solved the problem by digging out a section between the pilings, allowing the dump trucks to clear the bottom of the pier.  And because the ocean naturally washes sand back in the hole, the area has to be maintained daily during the beach restoration process.

    There are sections of beach closed during this project.  However, you can safely observe from a nearby beach path.  And who doesn’t enjoy watching an over-sized Tonka truck speeding along the water’s edge?!

    A short video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FALLhMVnvZg&list=UUU6fmwEHluNBeqiKwi4H67g&index=1&feature=plcp

  • Wednesday Pictures

    Yesterday was an amazing day…especially for February 1st.  I posted several pictures on Twitter, but worth repeating…

    The last picture was taken at the Cove in Cape May looking toward the lighthouse.  How often do you see beach chairs in use in February??

  • Monday Rush Hour

    20 degrees as I set off on my morning walk.  Posted a quick picture on Twitter, and continued on a fast pace to stay warm.  Today is one of those calm days I mentioned in my last post- thankful not to battle the wind!

    I was cautious as I walked close to the water’s edge- slippery frozen sand 😉

    Stay warm…

  • Monday Morning Blues?

    At the shore, it’s Monday morning blues…mixed with gray, pink, and yellow.

    Quick- what is your first thought when I say the words beach and frozen?  A nice tropical drink, perhaps?

    In the winter, the moisture in the sand freezes, turning even the “soft” sand into a hard, crunchy surface.

    On the positive side, it becomes easier to walk close to the dunes…which in turn, partially block the cold north west winds 😉

  • December at the Shore

    December is definitely our transition month. 

    Fewer hours of daylight.  Cooler northwest winds. Quiet streets. 

    Yet, with the dunes blocking the wind, and a determined sun rising over the ocean…a beach walk still warms my soul.

  • Dashing Through the Sand 5K

    Need to work off a few Christmas cookies? 

    If you will be in Avalon NJ on Saturday, December 31st,  sign up for Dashing Through the Sand 2011 (5K fun run).

    Registration opens at 8am at the Avalon Community Hall (30th and Avalon Avenue); race starts at 9am.

    Proceeds benefit The Craig Kenneth Lozier Memorial Scholarship fund.

  • Fishing!

    According to the local fishing experts…the stripers are running! 

    I originally tweeted this morning about the “fishermen”…then amended my description to include this skilled “fisherwoman”!

    Results!

    Fun to watch as I walked the beach before work.  Another incredible day.

  • Stone Harbor Christmas Parade

    You know it’s a seashore Christmas parade when one of the “floats” is a decorated beach cleaning tractor 🙂

    Perfect weather and a great turn out for the annual event.

  • Colorful Skies

    Have you noticed the brilliant colors just before sunrise, and after sunset?

    The best views are by the water (beach or bay).  This morning, the clouds were a soft pink over the beach front homes.  So pretty!

    The island events continue today- shopping, music, food, etc.  And, a comfortable night to watch the annual Christmas Parade:  north along Third Avenue from 104th Street to 96th Street, then right on 96th Street toward Second Avenue…starting at 6:30pm.