Busy weekend in the Wildwoods.Â
The popular Irish Festival takes over several blocks in North Wildwood- ironically, near the bars!
On the boardwalk- the Classic Car Show and Auction. Hundreds of vintage cars on display from North Wildwood down to the Convention Center. The long walk to admire the cars will justify the boardwalk snacks along the way!
 It’s that time of year…CLOSED signs in the windows of our favorite businesses.
Springer’s and Kohler’s closed last week (I’m all set with cinnamon buns in the freezer for Christmas breakfast). And this was the final weekend for Mack’s Pizza. The owner had a wide grin as he said “see you next year”- he is looking forward to the winter break.
Another fall tradition- the restaurant owners who commit to staying open year round- or at least through December. Reality sets in by the end of October, and most change their plans. The local population is just not able to support more than a handful of eating establishments. And the weekend business is fickle - effected by weather and activities at home.
http://www.wetlandsinstitute.org/wnw.html
Perfect weather all weekend for the annual Wings & Water Festival. Events continue through today in Avalon, Stone Harbor, and Middle Township.
 Spent the last 6 days on the Big Island of Hawaii. Very beautiful and interesting landscape.Â
I did not have a perspective of the volcano activity until this trip and the tour of Volcanoes National Park.
Took this picture of a coastal road- we could only drive so far due to a fairly recent lava flow! And we worry about occasional flooding ???
 So… this is the beach I walked on yesterday;
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 And this is the beach I walked on today  :)Â
Even on a dreary day, it’s good to smell the salt air!
Back home from our vacation, and surprised that the beach fill isn’t underway in Stone Harbor.  Guessing it was the weather. Saw the dredge in the North Wildwood inlet…will keep you posted.
 The equipment is arriving to the 111th Street beach in Stone Harbor in preparation of the beach fill. Pumping begins on Wednesday.
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 The Tim Kerr 7 Mile & 5K race this morning was a HUGE success.  Over 1,000 runners, and hundreds of spectators to cheer them on.Â
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 For race results:
 
 My definition of rush hour: when I rush to get over to the bay to kayak for an hour or so before work.
The moon was still out this morning when I started out- very pretty and peaceful.
Walking back, I encountered bikers, runners, and cars- the island is definitely awake and ready for the holiday weekend!
Cheer on the participants tomorrow morning in the TK 7 Mile and 5K Race. The race starts at 8:30 am at the Community Hall. http://www.timkerrcharities.org/
 Demolitions- a fall tradition at the shore!
During the boom years of real estate, this was a common sight…the little rancher quickly replaced with a builder’s spec house.
Now, most demolitions are for home owners tearing down their existing structure to make way for a new house. Very exciting for the family, and fascinating for the neighbors to watch.
 
An article in the local paper indicated that North Wildwood was next on the list for the beach fill project, but the signs posted at the beach entrances state otherwise.
The equipment will arrive on Sunday of Labor Day weekend (that should be interesting)- to the staging area on 111th Street. The actual pumping of sand is scheduled to start on Wednesday, September 9th- working north toward 98th Street over a period of 9 days.  The beaches will be closed in the immediate area of pumping (approximately 3 blocks at a time).
It will be an inconvenience, but the end result should be a huge improvement to our battered beaches.
 Full moon is officially on Friday- be sure to catch the view from the beach over the next few nights.Â
Moonrise Thursday night is 6:48pm (best view on the horizon will be 20 to 30 minutes later).
Labor Day Weekend officially starts on Friday, too - yet the island traffic will start to increase by tomorrow.  Like Memorial Day weekend, this is mostly an owner’s holiday after the summer rental season.
Enjoy!