Dreary today- sun expected for Sunday. With less than 2 weeks until Thanksgiving, the local shopping areas are preparing for the next “season” at the shore: Christmas.
Avalon and Stone Harbor will host family activities the holiday weekend of November 28th- 30th. And the stores will cooperate with great sales.Â
Visit the Chamber web sites for more details: http://www.avalonbeach.com/
 Determining what to wear for my beach walk is sometimes based more on the time of year than the actual temperature. It was cold enough for a hat and gloves this morning, but it just doesn’t seem right in mid-November. I have of course made the transition from shorts to long pants; and even started wearing a turtle neck under a spring jacket. The fleece jacket came out today- so I guess the real winter clothes will follow.Â
Maybe women can relate to this more- switching to our winter clothes is a sign that we have given up hope of balmy fall weather. I’m just not ready to accept that winter is fast approaching 🙂
It was mild tonight, and I decided to walk after work. Because it was already dark 🙁   I walked in the middle of Second Avenue under the street lights. Sure enough, a Stone Harbor skunk ran out from under a parked car and toward the center island. Thankfully, I was not in his way. Yuck!Â
The good news?  A Monday night in November allows me to walk in the middle of the street without any traffic safety issues. It’s so peaceful- no wonder the skunks wander the island at night!
 Built in 1895 as a lifesaving station, this classic seashore building located on the corner of 117th and Second Avenue, Stone Harbor is owned by American Legion Post 331. A major restoration project is almost complete, including handpainted murals inside the garage doors.
Hard to do it justice with a camera phone- very impressive in person. For additional information:
http://www.capemaycountyherald.com/article/31184-legion-post-makes-historic-register
 Another cloudless day with the warm sun rising over the ocean. Looking forward to more morning daylight…but I wish it didn’t mean darkness right after work 🙁
Years ago, one of my customers said what she likes best about coming to the shore from her suburban neighborhood is the sky. She can look up and see miles and miles of open sky. I thought of her comment this morning…so true.Â
 
 Beautiful day today- too nice to stay inside (except now at 4pm to watch the coverage of the Phillies celebration at the stadium).Â
Was able to sit on the beach (bundled up a bit), watch the dolphins swim by, and read a book- a good day!Â
Happy Halloween! Â
 Very exciting game last night. After the win, someone was driving around our block honking their car horn- I guess they knew it would be a bit lonely to run out in the street to celebrate!
I have a clear memory of the Phillies’ last win 28 years ago- our oldest son was born that year, and we were in our 1st home on Reed’s Beach Road (almost directly across from Stone Harbor on the Delaware Bay side). We watched the game on a small black and white television- no cable available in our rural area- and we were glad the antenna reception was clear!
Last night, we watched the game in HD, with our son and his fiance- how life has changed 🙂
 Aaaahhhh…back on the beach for a walk after work. The sun was out, and it was a beautiful afternoon.
 But first, I had to get on the beach. This sign was posted on the steps at the end of our street- there was a storm while we were away that caused some beach erosion. Oh well, just had to climb over a railing and around the fence…and jump a bit at the end of the path (the sign didn’t mean that I couldn’t access the beach :)  Once I was on the beach, the damage was moderate. Thankfully, a beach replenishment is scheduled for Stone Harbor this fall.Â
 Typical with our winter storms- items wash up on the beach.  Pieces of a Hobie Cat were scattered on the beach at the Point. Also at the Point- bird watchers. Saw a bird watching couple making out (smooching)…I guess bird watching is more exciting than I thought?? Funny…
http://www.powerplayrealty.com/pages
Check out the Tim Kerr’s Power Play Realty web site- specifically the information page. You will find restaurant information, maps, and links to a variety of local businesses.Â
 Back home from our trip. Spent our last 2 days in San Francisco- the highlight was riding a bike over the Golden Gate Bridge!Â
Glad to be back in New Jersey- even with the dreary weather. Looking forward to a long walk on the beach 🙂