Ann Delaney Beach Blog

Category: Life at the Shore

  • Damp Saturday

    They seem happy…

    However, our weekend visitors walking around town in shorts and t-shirts look a bit chilly!

    More sun and warmer temperatures expected tomorrow.  Have a great weekend!

  • May Weekends

    We are waiting for the clouds to depart and the warm air to return…

    Expecting a busy weekend- Stone Harbor is hosting the Coastal Living/Boat Show along 96th Street Saturday and Sunday.  There will be food vendors and music, too.

    AND, have you read about Saturday’s “super moon”?  The best viewing spot will be on the beach.  On Friday night, the moonrise is 6:29pm (if there are clouds on the horizon, it can be another 20 minutes to view over the ocean); and on Saturday, the moonrise is 7:45pm.

  • Island Parking

    Quarters in your car?  Yes, it’s that time of year.

    In Stone Harbor, the meters in the business district are operational as of today.  The hours are 10am to 9pm in town; and 10am to 5pm for the 95th Street lot by the beach.

    In Avalon, the day time parking in the business district along Dune Drive is limited to 2 hours starting May 15th (there are signs posted).

    Also, watch for the blinking traffic lights to change over to regular traffic signals…and “No turn on red” in effect at the 96th Street intersections.

  • Water Colors

    The deep blue/green color of the ocean…a nice change after months of “gray”.

  • What’s the Difference?

    Modest signs are located on 80th Street welcoming visitors to Avalon as they head north…and to  Stone Harbor going south.

    During a closing yesterday, we were discussing the subtle differences between the 2 communities that share a 7 mile island.

    The buyers vacationed in Avalon for many years before purchasing a condo in Stone Harbor.

    In Avalon: it’s Dune Drive and Ocean Drive, Avalon Freeze, The Fishing Pier Grill, Paper Peddler, and Avalon Coffee.

    In Stone Harbor: it’s Second Avenue and Third Avenue, Springer’s, Bud’s Market, Fred’s Tavern, and Coffee Talk.

    Thankfully, both towns have a Hoy’s and Uncle Bill’s to call their own 😉

  • Turning Green

    New color on the dunes.  Amazing that those green stalks looked like brown sticks just a few weeks ago.

    Path off of the 123rd Street parking lot to Stone Harbor point (see yesterday’s post about nature walks).

  • Best Nature Walks

    Have you walked through the Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary lately?  This is a great time of year (read: before the bugs arrive) to check out the paths that wind through the 21 acres of maritime forest, salt water wetlands, and fresh water ponds.  Access the various paths from both Second Avenue and Third Avenue near 114th Street.

    Another must do in early spring (before the gnats arrive) and at low tide is a walk around the wetlands side of Stone Harbor Point.  Park at the end of Third Avenue past 122nd Street and look for the path on the right hand side.  The path winds around to the left and leads to the 2 raised look out platforms.   

    And, any time of the year, walk along the 9th Street jetty in Avalon.   Look for sea otters near the rocks, and dolphins in the inlet.  Back in December, I even saw a whale passing through (well, just the spout in the distance…but still exciting for Avalon).  

    See my December post: whale watching

  • Exterior Cleaning Tip

    This is not meant as a product endorsement…just a helpful tip for a common problem with the newer shore homes.

    Vinyl Azek products are very popular as an alternative to exterior wood trim.  Yet with our damp environment, the vinyl is still subject to mildew- especially on the rough cut side of the piece.

    We use Spray Nine (sold in the local hardware store), and it effectively cleans and kills the mildew, without bleaching the adjacent siding. 

    So, now for my crazy homeowner confession: I was out spraying the trim and deck railing early this morning before the rain.  This way the cleaner had time to soak before the “power washing” of our rain storm!

  • Different Views

    I am in awe each time I walk over the dune path to the beach; and greeted with a different view.  My Friday view:

    Versus my view early this morning:

    And, happy to see evidence of others enjoying the view!

  • Bay Views

    As I was driving home from work the other day, I noticed that the conditions were perfect for back bay kayaking.  This was my view before sunset on Thursday evening…one of the benefits of living on an island!

    After morning clouds, the sun is out and quickly warming our seashore temperatures.  Have a great weekend.