Category: Life at the Shore

In 2008, I purchased a pair of sturdy hiking shoes for a trip to Northern Ireland.  While traveling, I realized their cold, damp weather is similar to our winter at the Jersey shore. So why not wear something warmer than sneakers to walk on the beach?

After 4 seasons of regular use, the Rockport’s are ready for retirement.  The tread is worn, and (gasp) sand is somehow leaking inside the shoe.  Even though I live at the beach, sand is NOT welcome in my home ;) 

Footwear is so specific, and the sales people in the sport stores really want to help you find the most suitable shoe.  Did I sense a smirk when I requested hiking shoes for the beach?  Hey…I walk through the soft sand, and occasionally, climb over a jetty rock!

So, I spent more money than I expected, but beach hiking requires just the right shoe.  My feet are warm AND the sand stays outside on the porch with my shoes. 

Happy trails…

A glimpse of early sun, then rain, then clearing skies…and now rain again.

However, I have the window in my office open a few inches for some fresh salt air!

Fun “girls” weekend celebrating a milestone birthday for one. 

The four of us are less than 6 years apart total, and include a set of Irish twins (I am the same age as the other middle sister for almost 2 weeks each year!) 

We are fortunate to live relatively close to each other;  and continue to share holidays, and often, vacations as a large group.  

I think we appreciate our unique bond even more as we “mature”.  Life has taken us down different paths-  but we can always meet at the beach 🙂

As much as I appreciate the warm sun in January, a cloudy mix makes for incredible views during my beach walk.

 This is my “real estate” picture: the sun spot lighting the beach front homes!

With a January birthday, I always wish for a day with a high temperature at least matching my age. 

Needless to say, this “game” is getting more difficult each year 😉

Last year, I was on a beach in Hawaii for my birthday. An excellent way to cope, and frankly, I didn’t care about the temperature here. 

This year, I’m sure I will be walking on a beach, but my attire will be suitable for January at the  Jersey shore! 

Only 130 days until Memorial Day weekend, by the way…

Those of us who live at the shore like to think of ourselves as rugged pioneers…well, with flat screen TV’s and heated homes. 

The locals agree that so far, it’s been a mild winter.  One life long Avalon resident mentioned yesterday that he was surfing earlier in the week- feeling warm in his winter wet suit.   And then he expressed dislike for our common enemy: the WIND!

While we can’t imagine life without our comfortable summer breeze, in the winter months, we prefer the rare calm day.

Maybe it’s the sound of the wind that drives us crazy?  It roars through like a freight train, causing our homes to shake and crackle.  We hear our neighbor’s trash cans rolling down the street, or their outside shower door bang repetitively through the night. 

But then we wake to a colorful morning sky. We bundle up and walk to the beach in time for sunrise.  The wind isn’t so bad if we stay close to the dunes.  And the sun is starting to warm us up a bit.  The “winter warriors”  are ready to face another day 😉