Ann Delaney Beach Blog

Category: Life at the Shore

  • Causeway Avalon to Sea Isle City

    Article in The Press of Atlantic City yesterday detailed plans for the Townsends Inlet roadway damaged by Sandy:  Click Here to read article

    Good news:  the roadway will be temporary repaired and open by Memorial Day weekend.

    Bad news:  the long term plan to fortify the sea wall, replace the road, and restore the bridge will cost $13 million.

    Although the bridge was not compromised by the storm, it’s been in need of major repairs for years.  The paint job over the rust can only last so long!

  • Back “North”

    Back to work after our vacation on Kiawah Island, South Carolina.  This sleepy beach/ golf community is one of our favorite destinations- mostly because it feels like home.

    My best description: a mix of the high dune area of Avalon, the bird sanctuary, and Stone Harbor Point; and then add in miles of bike paths and a few golf courses!  Like Hilton Head, the beach sand is perfect for bikes- yet when I ride along the beach, I’m totally distracted by the amazing homes along the dunes (prime real estate stalking!)    Charleston provides our “Cape May” experience with charming homes and excellent restaurants.

    Oh, and did I mention the alligators?   😉

    Life is different in the south.  Signs that caught my eye:  Please Drive Gently ; Property Preserved in Perpetuity.   And a restaurant advertised: Dining at Dusk (aka early bird special).   So refined!

    On this visit, I took note of the V-Zone construction- the norm on the island.   Prior to the proposed FEMA changes in New Jersey, I didn’t connect that the homes on Kiawah Island have been regulated by these codes for years.  Raised piers are attractively covered in brick or block work, and the break away walls are disguised with various materials.  The stairs up to the front door are built with landings/turns for set back purposes.  Interesting to see examples in person.

    alligator

    KiawahLagoonKidsAlligatorKiawahWalkwayKiawahBridgeKiawahDunesKiawahVZone

  • Beach to Beach

    beachdayWhen you live full time at the beach, it makes sense that you vacation….at another beach!

    A perk: I learn through my experience as a tenant and tourist in a beach community.  Wonder if they will let us check in early 😉

    This is the last break before our busy summer season.  May post a few pictures on Twitter- but otherwise, see you next week!

     

     

  • Stone Harbor Beach Fill

    Waiting for the arrival of the dredge and additional equipment needed to start the beach fill in Stone Harbor.  The staging area will be the 123rd Street parking lot.

    Looking forward to a drastically different beach view by May!

    BeachFill

  • Stone Harbor Shiver

    A crowd of happy people ran into the ocean today!  Now, they are getting even “happier” at the Fred’s after party 😉

    The 3rd Annual Stone Harbor Shiver (I did not participate…maybe if the event was held in July???)

    Photo credit- 7MileIslandHomes Facebook page

    StoneHarborShiver

  • Weathering Storms

    This is a quote from a blog post I wrote in 2007:

    Every location has its share of natural events: hurricanes, mud slides, wild fires, earth quakes, tornados, floods, blizzards, etc.  For each beautiful area in the country, there is an associated weather issue. We prefer to focus on positive side, and hopefully, are smart when dealing with the reality of Mother Nature.

    I needed that pep talk after seeing the beach erosion in Stone Harbor during my morning walk 🙁   Picture taken at high tide, of an already “Sandy weary” section of sand.

    Thankfully, the beach fill project is starting soon…

    SaturdayBeach

  • Thursday Pictures

    The bay is back to normal…and the Avalon Wawa is almost ready for their 3/14 opening day 😉

    docksWawa

     

  • All Good!

    Thankfully, the over night tide was no worse than the high tide in the afternoon.  The flooding was significant in the low lying areas, yet not unusual for a typical winter storm.

    Stone Harbor Boulevard remains closed for repairs to the poles- crews will be working there today.

    The sun has returned and it will be very spring like by the weekend 🙂

    Pictures from yesterday:  7th Street and First Avenue at the inlet, and Ocean Drive at 69th Street looking south, Avalon.

    P.S.  Just completed another quick tour and posted beach pictures on Twitter.  The beach erosion in Avalon was minimal.  New sand from the recent beach fill is still holding on. And workers are back at Wawa preparing for the 3/14 re-opening!

    5pm–  Took a walk along a section of the beach in Stone Harbor.  Unfortunately, the Sandy damaged dunes faced more abuse during this storm. There is limited beach at high tide, and the wooden ramps and pavilion need additional repairs. Thankfully, the beach replenishment project is on schedule to start later this month.  Posted a few pictures on Twitter.

    InletWednesday

     

     

  • Storm Watch

    I posted photos and updates on my Twitter account.

    Overall, I didn’t see anything out of the norm for a nor’easter.  Yes, it’s VERY windy and many sections near the bay have street flooding. Worried about beach erosion from the sustained winds and high tides.

    Will continue to update on Twitter.

  • Quiet Walks

    With only a few birds to disturb…I am free to sing along to the music on my iPod…for now 😉

    footprints

    Tuesday