Columbus Day Weekend at the shore:Â
The Indian Summer Seafood Festival in Avalon- 30th Street and the beach; from 11 am to 5 pm Saturday and Sunday. Live music, family entertainment, and excellent food from local vendors.
In Stone Harbor- The Art & Music Festival all day Saturday and Sunday on 96th Street. Most downtown retail stores will be open all weekend, too.Â
 As a seaside community, we have a limited number of trees. The change of colors in the fall take on a different meaning at the shore.Â
 The wild goldenrod blooms with yellow flowers in October - adding color to the sand dunes. And the back bay marsh grass fades from bright green to a more muted color- eventually turning brown in the winter.
Thankfully, the fading marsh grass is off set with brilliant fall sunsets.
 
 The pumpkins and mums in front of the year round homes look great, too!
 The seashore weather once again ignored the forecast- a beautiful sunny day for October 1st! Good day to wash windows and decks (the recent storms left behind a salty film). Then, walked along the water’s edge and enjoyed the beach. Not happy about the cooler temperatures arriving later tonight 🙁
    Kayak on the bay at high tide…and then
 
 take a long walk on the beach and watch the dolphins play.
Somehow, appreciating our beautiful surroundings and the simple things in life puts it all in to perspective. Not much else we can do at this point anyway…
 The activity at the Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary is increasing- both human and bird traffic. The new walkways and gardens are very attractive- worth a visit.Â
Park at 114th Street and Third Avenue, and wander around the park area. Then cross the street to the bay and watch the evening sunset. It’s a very peaceful area of town.
 Another cool windy day at the shore. The trick is to stay in the sun…and out of the wind! I try to plan my walks accordingly- a challenge!
This is an ideal time to visit a few of the local restaurants- most will be open through the holidays. Last call for Henny’s- haven’t heard a final closing date, but it will be in 2008. Have you tried Jay’s on Third? Fewer children screaming in Uncle Bill’s makes for a relaxing breakfast! Ditto for dinner at Marabella’s. A burger at the Princeton sounds good on a chilly night. So many choices…
 Vehicles must now be permitted at the point- it was very active there this afternoon with families fishing and just hanging out at the beach. It’s worth the long walk around the end of the island to see a true natural beach.
There was an odd bird sitting by the water’s edge- much larger than a New Jersey seagull, with icy blue eyes. It looked like a prehistoric type featured on a brochure for the Galapagos Islands! I guess he took the wrong exit…
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Very chilly this morning- but the sun is starting to warm the air. The 96th Street shopping district looks great with traditional fall decorations. A beautiful weekend…enjoy!
 The stands are in perfect order next to the 95th Street Life Guard Station. The weather has turned chilly (long sleeve t-shirt needed for my morning walks), but we are bound to have a few more beach days still this fall.Â
Should be a perfect weekend for the annual Wings & Water Festival at the Wetland’s Institute. Events all day Saturday and Sunday.Â
 Hard to see in the picture- but this man on the jetty reminded me of Charlton Heston. He was holding on to a metal pole and waving his arms.Â
High humidity today- felt even on a moderate walk along the beach. The best place to be is under an umbrella, in a beach chair, and near the water’s edge. There is a steady south east breeze- which will feel comfortable in a non-exercise mode! The ocean is a just right (to me) 74 degrees.
Enjoy the bonus summer day.