  While walking by the Villa Maria by the Sea retreat house yesterday, I watched the nuns loading up their cars – leaving to go back to school! A few walked down to the beach for a final look at the ocean. The retreat house stays active through the fall, including hosting their major fundraiser: The Nun’s Beach Surfing Contest/Dinner on September 6th.Â
For more information, contact Sister James Dolores, IHM at (609) 368-3621
 Although I vowed not to rush the end of the summer, it definitely feels like September today- a cool north breeze and a brilliant blue sky. The wind direction will help carry the noise from the Atlantic City Air Show- watch for the military planes traveling to and from the show.
The Atlantic City Air Show is Wednesday, August 20th- an all day event -Web site: http://www.atlanticcitychamber.com/Â
If you are on the beach Wednesday, you will hear the roar in the distance, and see many of the planes as they arrive and depart the show. One year I saw a stealth bomber pass over head. Very cool!Â
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 Saturday Night: There was still plenty of time for a long walk on the beach to see the full moon rise over the ocean. The sunset was equally spectacular- with a bright red sky.
Then an exciting night watching the Olympics.
Another reason to appreciate summer at the Jersey Shore: the mountain towns of Colorado (where my son lives) had 6″ of snow yesterday. And we complain that the ocean is a bit chilly??
Enjoy this beautiful weekend… the weather here is perfect!
 The jetty at the end of Stone Harbor looking south toward the point.
I was never an athlete (year book editor type), so when I bought my first kayak a few years ago, my family was a bit puzzled. In a typical show of support, one of my sisters asked “Why, in your mid- 40’s did you suddenly decide to become athletic??”
Well, it wasn’t a passing phase, and I go out on the bay (and sometimes the ocean) on a regular basis. Proof that you can find an activity that suits your personality and skill level. It’s always an adventure…
 
 This is the other side of Stone Harbor Point- before you reach the inlet (and ocean).
 A natural beach for the birds at the tip of Stone Harbor Point.
 The Grassy Sound Bridge- interesting to go under the bridges. To see the damage from the salt air is incredible…makes me wonder what I will look like as I get older 😉
Thankfully not too many this summer…but what to do?? Finish reading the Sunday paper; walk around 96th Street (and observe the pub crawl participants arrive in 2 school buses- in various costumes and levels of sobriety); see a movie (“Momma Mia”…loved it!); take a walk; and watch the Olympics.Â
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Mystery solved: What happens to all of those giantic stuffed animals on display in the game areas on Wildwood Boardwalk? Certainly no one ever wins one…
 They escape at night and hang out on “Nun’s Beach” in Stone Harbor!
 Enjoy the rest of the weekend 🙂
I am proud to support Brendan’s Fund. This local organization provides financial and emotional assistance to Cape May County families coping with pediatric cancer. The Surf Memorial is next Saturday- and a full week’s worth of events starting tonight (see web site or posters in local businesses for more details).
Join in…it’s an expectionally worthy cause.
 The water temperature is finally in the 70’s. Time to get back in the ocean! The local newspaper is calling it “Lake Atlantic” due to the lack of waves.
I miss my early moring beach walking companions- the dolphins, and hope the warmer water brings them back closer to shore soon…