Ann Delaney Beach Blog

Category: Life at the Shore

  • Not Just a Tree

    TreeI’m so sad.

    While driving to work this morning, I saw a public works crew on the center island at 56th Street- with tree roots in a tractor.  I quickly turned around to ask what happened to “my tree”.

    I posted about this tree in the past:  A Special Tree   Planted in memory of my father over 20 years ago.

    Unfortunately, a woman ran into the tree yesterday afternoon, and her car landed upside down on Dune Drive.  The Borough worker said she was okay- and I said “maybe the tree somehow saved her”.  Then he suggested I plant a new tree.  Good idea…

     

  • Tuesday Morning Views

    Bay kayaking at high tide. What a nice way to start the work day 🙂

    TuesdayKayak

  • Conquering Fear

    The last time I kayaked in the ocean, it didn’t end well.  It was almost 1 year ago, and I tanked while heading over the first set of waves.  I was tossed (twisting my back), and then hit by the kayak (providing a lovely black eye).  Needless to say, I didn’t go back out again for the rest of the season.

    Bay kayaking is more of a controlled environment.  Calm water and the safety net of nearby docks.

    For 2013, my plan was to make sure I had enough arm strength and confidence from bay kayaking before facing the ocean again.

    And today was the day.  A quiet morning, low tide, no wind…all the right conditions.

    As I rolled the kayak onto the beach, there was a fisherman at the water’s edge.  Oh good…a lifeguard!  Apparently, he did not understand his responsibilities because he left soon after I launched.  Oh well, the drivers of the beach tractors were my back up.

    So, I successfully paddled over the waves and out to the calm water.  Watched a beautiful sunrise…and conquered my fear.  Only disappointment?  No dolphins (my main motivation for ocean kayaking).  Will have to try again soon  🙂

    MondayKayaking

     

     

     

     

  • Saturday Sun

    Beautiful morning.  Watched the surfers AND dolphins riding in the waves.

    Now in work, and ready for another big rental change over day…

    saturday copy

  • Beach Scenes

    Pretty, even on a dreary day…

    P.S.  The SUN is out in Avalon.  Hurry to the beach 🙂

    Rain
    SHPoint

     

     

    StoneHarbor

  • Picking a Dream House

    Even though I live here, I still play the “What house would I buy” game.  Admit it…you play it, too.

    Basic premise:  If I win the lottery (or someone pays me millions of dollars to sponsor my blog), I need to know what house to buy.  My choices change all the time. Walking and kayaking provide ample opportunity to review the options.

    For instance, I have a current favorite bay property.  It’s not the house as much as an incredible water front location.  And it’s for sale…which means that someone else will have an opportunity long before me 🙁     Not to worry…I will move on.

    A sample from this morning’s kayaking review:

    bayhouses

     

     

  • Sunday Morning

    A lazy Sunday morning for some:  during my beach walk, I was out pacing the dolphins swimming just past the wave break 😉

    sunday

     

  • Up and Out Early

    A peaceful morning of bay kayaking before a hectic work day.  BIG rental change over day, the Arts & Crafts Show at 80th Street, and the Brendan Borek Surf Memorial at the 30th Street beach.

    Have a great weekend!

    Saturday copy

     

  • Stone Harbor Beach Fill- Complete

    As of this morning: the sand pumping is complete and the tractors are leveling the last section of new beach (79th to 81st Streets).   Once the area is groomed and the equipment is moved, beach access will be fully restored on those blocks.

    The heavy metal brackets that connect the lengths of black pipe have been removed.  Those pipes (currently lining the entire stretch of  Stone Harbor beach) will be hauled away soon.

    While the project caused some inconvenience to residents and visitors, the Borough of Stone Harbor had no option on the timing.  After Irene and Sandy, the beaches/dunes in both Avalon and Stone Harbor were vulnerable.  Thankfully, this major restoration project had been approved and funded.

    Posted 2 videos of the pipe removal 8/2/13 : YouTube Video   and another YouTube Video

    ThursTrucks

     

  • Peer Pressure

    Woke up early (well, earlier) to fit in my beach walk before the forecasted rain.

    I heard light rain on the sky light- darn.  Checked my phone for the current radar- not looking good either.  And then clicked on to Twitter to read the over night posts.

    That’s when the peer pressure hit- John Cooke was already posting from his Cape May beach walk.  Like me, John tweets, and writes a blog…and works in the tourist industry full time.  I guess if he’s out, I should be too.

    So I put my phone in a dry bag (it’s ALL about protecting the phone) and headed down to the beach.  I was rewarded with a beautiful sunrise, cool air, and no rain.

    Thanks, John!

    ThursSun