After a foggy weekend, so nice to see the sun!
I was walking along our beautiful beach this morning, watching the sunrise, breathing in the fresh salt air, and feeling very grateful…and yet the “traveler” in me couldn’t help but wonder about the destinations of the jets overhead.
The weather forecast for the week looks great.  Will of course post the scenic views 😉
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
This picture was taken in Belfast, Northern Ireland in 2008.  My husband was disappointed that the restaurant didn’t sell logo t-shirts. The owner said that’s an “American thing”!
On my father’s side, my grandmother was from County Clare in the Republic of Ireland, and my grandfather grew up near Ballymena in Northern Ireland. A real mixed marriage!
They vacationed in Stone Harbor each summer when their 6 children were young, and eventually built a house in Avalon in the 1950’s. A family business brought the grown sons and daughters (with spouses and young children)  from Philadelphia to Avalon shortly thereafter.
After visiting the beautiful windswept coast of Northern Ireland, I can better understand my grandfather’s love of the shore. We have sand in our shoes… and salt water in our blood 😉
Sláinte!
P.S. Originally posted in 2011- worth a repeat.
Who would think we could enjoy a beach day in March?
Found the flip flops and suntan lotion, and spent a few hours on the beach.
The warm weather also inspired me to wash off some deck furniture, and haul my kayak out from under the house.  Looking forward to more warm, calm days so I can venture out on the bay 🙂
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It was low tide last evening as we drove along Stone Harbor Point (vehicle beach permits expire soon, by the way). I imagine this is image is frustrating to boaters- numerous sand bars in the inlet between Stone Harbor and North Wildwood.  It truly looks like you can walk across.
Spring flowers have arrived, and the grass is turning green. Landscapers have already made their rounds giving many local lawns a mid-winter hair cut!
The grass in the marshes and along the sand dunes is still brown- waiting for the transition to the preferred bright green.Â
Happy Spring!
Another mild day (and week ahead). So much better than our typical March weather at the shore!
Starting to see “Opening Soon” posted on the doors of local businesses- a sure sign of spring 🙂
Starting tomorrow, we gain an extra hour to walk and catch the colorful sunsets. Busy work schedule ahead- sale and rental appointments both Saturday and Sunday. Have a great weekend!
Definitely FEELS like spring: longer days and a chilly sea breeze! When the weather report predicts 70 degrees, we know it’s likely to be at least 10 degrees cooler by the beach.
Speaking of the beach- Saturday is the 2nd annual Stone Harbor Shiver. There will be a pre-plunge party on Friday night, and the crazy people will meet on the 96th Street beach at 12 noon on Saturday. For more information: http://www.stoneharborbeach.com
This is also the weekend to spring clean the house and garage, and/or treasure hunt in Stone Harbor. The first bulk trash pick up of the year is on Monday, March 12th.
Today is the 50th anniversary of the Storm of ’62, a brutal Nor’easter that caused extensive damage along the Jersey shore.
My grandparents and several aunts/uncles already lived in Avalon full time, and my parents moved down the following year.Â
Over the years, I’ve heard numerous stories about the ’62 storm- from descriptions of fishing cottages washed away; to owners bragging about their well built, still standing homes.
When you live on a barrier island, storms and weather become part of your existence.  Residents know the flooding patterns based on tides and wind direction. And, we are in awe when Mother Nature puts on a good show.
For every beautiful location, there is an associated, natural risk. As a real estate agent, I know it’s important to share my experiences, and put the risk in perspective.  The island is my place of business…and my home.
Warm sun and salt air- good to be back to the beach.
For our family visit, we drove through the scenic mountains of western Virginia, Tennessee, and North Carolina.  There are beautiful homes throughout that area- sitting high on a ridge -surrounded by acres of open land.   My impression?  I wondered how the residents cope with such an isolated existence.
So when we drove over the bridge last night, in to our sleepy little beach town; down our dark street with empty homes on all sides…I laughed. I guess we are equally as isolated in our own way 😉
