 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!
 
                                                                                                   Are the crickets louder this time of year…or do we notice them because the windows are back open and their chirps aren’t competing with whirling air conditioner units and traffic?
Mainly, what I heard tonight was silence. It’s almost shocking how quiet it can be.  Plus a beautiful sunset and cool temperatures. What’s not to like??
Wow, that was fast! Weren’t we just counting down to Memorial Day Weekend??
Realistically, we have at least one month of summer like weather left. But there are tell tale signs that our season is coming to a close:
Swallows swarming the bayberry trees in the dunes and diving in to the nearby swimming pools for a drink (watch out for the purple droppings!);  sunsets earlier in the evening;  end of season sales in the retail stores; and fewer cars on the block during the week.
Enjoy the quiet, visit the restaurants, and find a bargain at the local shops. September is a wonderful time to be at the shore!
     
       Last weekend it was Bill…now it’s Danny’s turn to visit the shore.
Heavy rain for much of the day caused road flooding in the downtown areas, and left shoppers and walkers soaked through. Not looking good for the Stone Harbor sidewalk sale tomorrow .
P.S. Saturday was not a wash out after all- the heavy rain didn’t return until after midnight.
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A major contrast:Â Â Walking in the early morning along the beach…and then again last night into downtown Stone Harbor.Â
The line for Springer’s Ice Cream was a full block long!
The restaurants and retail shops looked busy, too.
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The surfers were out early this morning to take advantage of “Bill’s” waves.Â
The rain and thunderstorms are not from the hurricane- just an ordinary summer storm system passing through.Â
Amazing to watch the power of the ocean- even the smaller waves at the ocean’s edge.   Staying on dry sand was challenging this morning with rogue waves traveling farther than expected.
 The ocean was rough today. Lifeguards enforced knee deep limits, and no boogie boards later in the afternoon.
Surfers are not subject to the same rules…and are very happy with the high surf advisory.
Be careful this weekend. Respect the mighty Atlantic Ocean and the lifeguards.