Ann Delaney Beach Blog

Category: Life at the Shore

  • “California Dreaming”

    santacruz.jpg  Leaving tomorrow to visit another beach town- Santa Cruz, California.  We will spend a week exploring their coast (Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur) and then our last 2 days in San Francisco. 

  • What Do You Do Off Season??

    When I meet someone new, and tell them where I live, they often express a mixture of jealousy and empathy.  They understand the summer lifestyle, but wonder what I “do” all winter?

    october10.jpg  Well, my life is very ordinary- in an extraordinary environment!

    For example, yesterday was my day off.  I still had to start the laundry, pay bills, clean the house, etc. like everyone else…but I also get to walk on the beach and kayak in the bay 🙂

    Sure, January and February are dreary- but that’s typical of most areas in the North East.  The sun coming up over the ocean lifts my spirits year round…I am so grateful to live and work along the coast.

  • Weekend Events

    Columbus Day Weekend at the shore: 

    The Indian Summer Seafood Festival in Avalon- 30th Street and the beach; from 11 am to 5 pm Saturday and Sunday.  Live music, family entertainment, and excellent food from local vendors.

    In Stone Harbor- The Art & Music Festival all day Saturday and Sunday on 96th Street.  Most downtown retail stores will be open all weekend, too. 

    watertower.jpg

  • Fall Colors

     As a seaside community, we have a limited number of trees.  The change of colors in the fall take on a different meaning at the shore. 

    godenrodoct.jpg  The wild goldenrod blooms with yellow flowers in October - adding color to the sand dunes. And the back bay marsh grass fades from bright green to a more muted color- eventually turning brown in the winter.

    Thankfully, the fading marsh grass is off set with brilliant fall sunsets.

     sunsetbay.jpg  The pumpkins and mums in front of the year round homes look great, too!

  • Sunday Sights

    seagull.jpg With the tourists gone, the sea gulls have turned “organic”.  Instead of potato chips, the birds are feasting on crabs and small fish.  Interesting to watch their hunting skills in action- dive bombing in the shallow water and actively searching the water’s edge. 

  • Is That A Squirrel??

    skunk.jpg Walked just before dark last night.  I was admiring the beautiful bright red sky after sunset and the large crescent moon…until a critter crossed the street in my path. Thankfully, it ran behind a house without an official greeting!

    The skunks on the island are usually small and could (in the dark) be mistaken for a squirrel.  They are common this time of year- maybe because there are fewer humans around to scare them away. 

    So, make some noise as you walk. Sing along to the songs on your iPod…that works for me!

  • October 1st

    shadow.jpg  The seashore weather once again ignored the forecast- a beautiful sunny day for October 1st!  Good day to wash windows and decks (the recent storms left behind a salty film).  Then, walked along the water’s edge and enjoyed the beach.  Not happy about the cooler temperatures arriving later tonight 🙁

    octocean.jpg

  • How to Weather the Financial Worries

    bay.jpg    Kayak on the bay at high tide…and then

      septocean.jpg  take a long walk on the beach and watch the dolphins play.

    Somehow, appreciating our beautiful surroundings and the simple things in life puts it all in to perspective.  Not much else we can do at this point anyway…

  • The Power of the Ocean

    dune.jpg  The wind direction has thankfully switched, giving our battered beaches time to recover from last week’s storm.  The tide reached the dune line in most areas, and the mightly Atlantic Ocean took down some snow fencing (not sure why we call it snow fencing when it’s in the dunes and rarely touched by snow?).  I think the missing sand is gathering at the point- that area extends farther south each year. 

    We used to joke that the Avalon and Stone Harbor sand washed down to Wildwood- but their beaches have dramatically changed in recent years.  There are tide pools adjacent to the boardwalk, water under some of the amusement piers, and smaller beaches overall. 

  • Sunday Sights

    bench.jpg  The activity at the Stone Harbor Bird Sanctuary is increasing- both human and bird traffic.  The new walkways and gardens are very attractive- worth a visit. 

    Park at 114th Street and Third Avenue, and wander around the park area. Then cross the street to the bay and watch the evening sunset.  It’s a very peaceful area of town.