Ann Delaney Beach Blog

Category: Life at the Shore

  • Random Thoughts…

    It may be a 5 hour drive from Avalon, NJ to State College, PA, yet it’s like we are neighbors.  Penn State alumni, fans, and families of students regularly vacation on the island. It’s not unusual to see the familiar blue and white Penn State flag proudly displayed at summer homes.

    I can’t tell you how many times potential buyers have asked me to drive them by Joe Paterno’s home.   Sports figures are common shore “celebrities”, and become part of our community. 

    The emotional response to the Penn State news is far reaching…even miles away by the beach.

  • Election Day

    With less than 800 registered voters in my shore town…I know my vote counts!

  • Monday Sun

    I haven’t adjusted to the time change…so up and out early this morning.

    Because it was still dark when I left the house, I started my walk on the street.  Happy for the glowing street lights to avoid the skunks!   I was able to walk for blocks in the middle of the road…moving over just once for a police car.

    At day break, I headed to the beach to finish my walk…and watch the sunrise.  I’m not the only early riser- there were fishermen scouting out their spots, a group of runners, and the usual walkers. 

    A great way to start the work day 🙂

  • Sunday Sights

    Looking forward to more morning daylight with the time change. Today, it’s mainly shades of gray, mixed with streaks of sun behind the clouds.

  • How’s the Beach?

    Last weekend’s storm caused some minor beach erosion in Avalon and Stone Harbor, NJ. 

    Thankfully, the higher than normal tides did not push the ocean to the dunes.  A common sight is a “shelf” of sand where the soft sand typically meets the hard sand.  Wind and future tides will flatten those areas back in place. 

    Still plenty of sand for the beach walkers 🙂

  • Halloween at the Shore

    While handing out candy last night, I was thinking about my own Halloween memories.

    Growing up in Avalon (with limited year round homes), a ride was required to trick or treat.  4 little costumed girls climbed in the back of a giant station wagon..with our dad as the chauffeur.

    Because our father was a local businessman, we HAD to stop at the homes of everyone he knew.  The adults would chat…and we would whine to get to the next house.  Even when our endurance faded (and our bags where full), he continued on!

    On the plus side, that was my first opportunity to see inside beautiful homes.  Probably inspired my real estate career 😉

  • Halloween Sunrise

    Next week, our dark mornings will be replaced with dark afternoons.  In the meantime, I will enjoy watching the sunrise on my beach walk!

    Dark start- fortunately, brighter on the beach!

    The bright orange sky turned pink, and then yellow. 

    Pretty views on all sides…good motivation to bundle up and walk on the beach 🙂

    Posted a quick video- includes beach noise- waves and seagulls!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrIqurazsA0

  • Need a Beach Fix?

    This will work!  Fun video filmed in Stone Harbor by Justin Gaynor  http://www.justingaynor.com/  and Genevieve Faust  http://www.genevievefaust.com/

                          http://vimeo.com/31312427

    Enjoy 🙂

  • Life on an Island

    Anyone who has worked with me to buy a property in Avalon or Stone Harbor knows that I can be a bit obsessive about flooding.

    Unless you are here during a storm, it’s hard to picture roadways and yards covered with water.  Like today, for example!

    Fortunately, most of our flooding events occur in the off season.  Yet, I always want buyers to be aware of the issue.   

    That’s why driving around on a day like today is important (and frankly, fun). I see first hand which streets and locations are vulnerable to flooding.

    Good news:  the water is receding from the earlier high tide.  A salt water rinse for our island!

    Stay dry 🙂

  • Stormy Saturday

    Drove Third Avenue and Ocean Drive to work this morning, and the streets are wet from rain…but not salt water.

    The only “extra” water I noticed was in the boat launch area of the Avalon Bay Park (55th Street).  This is normal during exceptional tides and storms.

    Will head back out at high tide for an update.