Busy on island today with numerous tag sales (to be followed by the fall tradition of demolitions!) Â and the Wine Festival on 96th Street. Â Also, it’s bulk trash pick up weekend in Stone Harbor (free stuff!)
Amazing views during my early morning beach walk. Â Now preparing for a productive day showing sale properties 🙂
Amazing weather this week- picture perfect September days and nights. Â Add in the “quiet”, and you can understand why many consider September the best time of the year at the shore.
In the busy summer months, Mother Nature’s sound are muffled by air conditioning units and traffic. Â Now, you can clearly hear the ocean from blocks away. Â And the birds. Â And the silence.
Harvest Moon rising over the beach last night at sunset…and setting over the bay this morning at sunrise.
Our reward for shorter days…
Last night- 16th and Ocean Drive looking toward the neighborhood over the 21st Street bridge, Avalon.
The expectations of a beach rental have changed over the years. A basic property is likely to be passed over in favor of the updated “Coastal Living†décor home.
 So what do tenants need/want?
Large HD televisions with full cable package (one main set, with additional sets in bedrooms)
Wireless Internet – has become a necessity
Newer mattresses/ attractive bed coverings (some owners are providing linen service to gain a competitive edge)
Newer furniture and flooring
Newer appliances- including kitchen counter top items
Air conditioning (with a service contract for prompt repairs)
Well stocked kitchen, extra light bulbs, some paper products, cleaning products, and bug spray (for the common summer ants)
Comfortable deck/porch furniture
Grill with a wire brush to keep it clean
Extra trash/recycle cans (the average home needs 3 cans for regular trash, and 2 for recycling items)
Welcome Book with information & instructions (especially regarding the electronics)
Another beautiful day. Â Needed a light jacket for my early beach walk, but now the temps are just right for showing sale property 🙂 Â Enjoy the weekend!
The Avalon Beach Patrol finished their season last Sunday. Â The Stone Harbor Beach Patrol has limited coverage through this weekend.
Use caution either way -the ocean is rough!
An ocean breeze during this “heat wave”- keeping us comfortable at the beach!
I attended a low key ceremony yesterday in Stone Harbor – at the future 9/11 memorial site on 123rd Street. Â Like the memorial in Avalon, a piece of steel from the World Trade Center will be incorporated in a meaningful way.
Join the friendly Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary on Saturday, September 14th for the annual surf contest. Â 111th Street and the beach, 8am.
There will be tents by the beach selling coffee and donuts… and of course the popular “Nuns’ Beach” wear. Â The generous support from the community helps to maintain this beautiful Stone Harbor landmark.
P.S. Found this wonderful article on line: An Entire Beach of Nuns posted in July.  Funny!
The first picture was sent to me by a reader last year: Villa Maria by the Sea, 1955. Â Still looking great in 2013!
Explore the other side of Stone Harbor Point. Â The hike is “challenging”…but not for the typical reasons.
First- only make this trek at low tide. Â Do not wear flip flops. Wait for a breezy day or after the cool weather arrives. Â Why? Â Water, mud, and bugs respectively 😉
Start at the street end off of Third Avenue at 122nd Street. Â There is a path on the right hand side that crosses the marsh and then winds around to the left to the two bird look out platforms. Â Then on to the clam shell driveway that leads to the beach or back to the 123rd Street parking lot.
Did you stay up to watch the rocket launch last night? Â It was WAY past my bedtime…but worth it. Â I expected just a small moving light- similar to our sightings of the International Space Station. Â So I was shocked when this low flying rocket rose up behind the houses across the street, slowly crossed the sky, and then faded over the ocean. Â It was an amazing sight!
Up early this morning for the sunrise and a beach walk before work. Â Yes…a unique life 🙂
