 The ocean was rough today. Lifeguards enforced knee deep limits, and no boogie boards later in the afternoon.
Surfers are not subject to the same rules…and are very happy with the high surf advisory.
Be careful this weekend. Respect the mighty Atlantic Ocean and the lifeguards.
 If you look closely, the 4 dots on the cloud are United States Air Force Thunderbird fighter jets. That was the best I could do with a cell phone!
When they flew over head, they were in and out of my screen before I could take the picture.Â
I watched the show (mostly with binoculars) from the beach in Margate. Next year, I will venture at least in to Ventnor for a better view.  But no complaints…sitting on a beach chair at the water’s edge or swimming in the warm ocean while the planes flew by…an ideal day!
 Is it just me…or, does anyone else think this is an odd way to spend your vacation ??
Many women apparently disagree. The 80th Street basketball court is packed on the scheduled days with toned women of all ages.
I have a different vision for vacation. To be active, yes. But someone yelling orders at me…no thank you 😉
I appreciate my neighbors’ flags- I can easily check for wind speed and direction to determine my early morning activity (along with the tide chart posted in my kitchen).
High tide and no wind inspired me to kayak this morning. Should have known better. No wind = gnats and mosquitos on the bay.  I was swarmed as I lowered the boat into the bay and started off (left the bug spray back at the house of course).  Paddled as quickly as I could to the main channel to catch a breeze (good exercise at least)- and splashed salt water on my arms and legs to soothe the bites!
Checked the flags again on the bay houses- ahhh, a slight breeze. Much better for the rest of my excursion.
From my office windows, I watch the flags over Hoy’s 5 &10.  Nice, southeast breeze. Looks like a great beach day from here!
The busiest weekend of the summer…and the biggest event of the summer: The Arts & Crafts Festival at the 80th Street field.
The white tents are up and ready for the vendors to descend tomorrow. The crowds will follow starting early Saturday morning. Parking and driving in the immediate vicinity will be difficult- Third Avenue/Ocean Drive will be the best option for north to south travel!
The Press of Atlantic City featured an article today about the International Space Station and Endeavour passing in front of the moon tonight at 8:42pm.  So I sat on my deck, facing the half lit moon and waited.  Sure enough, a faint light (I would have thought it was an airplane otherwise) slowly crossed the sky heading east. Very cool! Big night at the shore 🙂
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I am proud to support:Â
Brendan Borek High Tides Memorial Fund is a true local charity- all money raised helps families in Cape May County. Visit the web site for details and calendar of upcoming August events.Â
The 14th Annual Nun’s Beach Surf Contest is scheduled for Saturday, September 12th. All proceeds support the upkeep of Villa Maria by the Sea retreat house on 111th Street in Stone Harbor. This property is a beautiful landmark for our community, and enjoyed all summer long by the visiting Immaculate Heart of Mary Sisters. For more information, contact Sister James Dolores, IHM at 609-368-5290, or stop by their garage “store” to purchase popular Nun’s Beach attire!
Bikes, beach chairs, beach toys, strollers, scooters, bathing suits on the line…a busy rental house for sure!
A southwest breeze today: the unique combination of oven hot air and humidity! It was a bit cooler along the ocean’s edge as I walked this morning. Good day for a beach chair in the water!
The manly ritual of digging a giant hole on the beach-Â a long standing seashore tradition.
The sand architects try to out smart high tide with elaborate barrier walls. The kids just want the water to rush in to create a muddy pool!
The lifeguards ask that the holes be filled in at the end of the day for safety reasons.
Happy digging…and enjoy the weekend!
 I have always admired the collections of sea glass in local properties- thinking that it couldn’t all be from our local beaches.  Wouldn’t I have noticed that much glass under foot??
A friend’s display in a vase on her kitchen counter prompted me to toss the few pieces I had into a glass container and add to it over time.
Now that I’m looking, I find a few pieces each time I walk…and my container is 3/4 full.Â
I joke that the dolphins know my morning routine and join me for my walk…but now that I’m scanning the sand, they aren’t getting my full attention. Plus, my pace is slower and I wonder why my neck has a twinge 😉