Strong northwest winds again this morning.Â
Forced to choose between facing the cold wind by the water’s edge, or walking in the soft sand near the dunes.Â
It was definitely warmer by the dunes, and hey…it’s better exercise as I “climb” over the mounds of sand by each beach entrance. Glad I already transitioned to my winter hiking shoes 😉
Glad my commute to work does not involve a major highway.Â
 Sunday morning on Dune Drive allows me to drive and change the clock in the car at the same time!
Yes, I will join in and whine when it’s dark at 5pm tomorrow. But will also appreciate the time change for my morning walk.Â
The warm sun reflecting off the ocean provides motivation to bundle up get outside!
You don’t have to be a serious “birder” to appreciate Stone Harbor Point.
Follow the clam shell driveway from the 123rd Street parking lot to the sand pathways. The large body of (tidal) water is a popular gathering spot for various marsh wildlife.
Be sure to catch a colorful fall sunset from one of the look out platforms. Bonus: with the cooler weather…no bugs!
Do dolphins follow the trend of many local residents and head south for the winter?Â
It’s late in the season to see so many as I walked the beach this morning. Because the dolphins were heading south…I thought they might be migrating to warmer waters for the winter.
A very pleasant distraction 🙂
The brilliant colors of the leaves in the Avalon high dunes and Stone Harbor bird sanctuary. Clouds tinted red and yellow at sunset.  And cooler temperatures…as of today!
A Children’s Halloween Party will be held Saturday in the Avalon Community Hall at 1pm.
Trick or Treat takes place on the island Sunday night between 5pm and 8pm.  Have a good weekend!
I have been blogging for 4 years…tweeting for 1…YouTubing (a verb?) for several months…and now the pressure of Facebook!
When I was younger, I kept a diary.  Years later, it evolved to a journal. So, a blog is the natural progression- a place to share my thoughts…only no longer tucked away in a drawer.Â
My Beach Blog is the equivalent of a newsletter. I use Twitter to post “breaking news”, restaurant info, and seashore pictures. YouTube has been a unique way to promote sale and rental properties (as well as the beach restoration project). Yet, other than viewing  family pictures, I’m not clear on the value of Facebook.  It feels more like stalking than connecting. But, without Facebook, I won’t know what time to show for Thanksgiving dinner 😉
Join your Avalon and Stone Harbor neighbors for the 25th Annual Fall Beach Sweep this Saturday, October 23rd.
Enjoy a morning walk along the sand while contributing to a clean environment. Volunteers will meet at 9am on 30th Street in Avalon, and on 95th Street in Stone Harbor. For more information: http://www.cleanoceanaction.org/
Back home after a long weekend visit to the mountains of North Carolina.Â
Saw changing leaves… and adorable grandchildren!
 
Looks like the weather will cooperate for the free events scheduled for Columbus Day weekend.
In Avalon, The Green Fair will be held in the Community Hall on Saturday, October 9th from 10am to 3pm.  In the open lot next door (29th Street), the annual Seafood Festival will take place both Saturday and Sunday- 11am to 5pm.Â
The Art & Music Festival will take over 96th Street in Stone Harbor, Saturday and Sunday between 10am and 5pm. The local art galleries will join in with special exhibits for the weekend, too.