Ann Delaney Beach Blog

Category: Life at the Shore

  • Unique Christmas

    Christmas Eve-  a quick stop to photograph the Ferris wheel at Morey’s Pier in Wildwood.

    Christmas morning- a beach walk and bay kayaking before Christmas dinner with family.   Life is good!

    MoreyMoreys2ChristmasKayaking

     

     

  • The REAL Seashore Santa

    This entry was originally posted Christmas 2008. I think it deserves an annual repeat.

    santa2Santa– the life size painted, cut out version- has been an important part of Christmas for as long as I can remember.

    Santa began his life of service in the early 1960’s at my parents’ first house in Avalon.  He was surrounded by big, multi-colored bulbs on the newly planted shrubs.  Inside that modest Golden Home rancher, 4 little girls hung their stockings on a cardboard fireplace with a plug in red bulb that magically turned the metal wheel to create “fire” .

    In the 1970’s, Santa moved with our family 5 blocks south in Avalon to a larger, 2 story home with a real wood fireplace.  The colorful exterior lights were eventually replaced with more subtle white bulbs, but the spot light literally remained on Santa.

    In the off season, Santa hung proudly on the garage wall- watching us all come and go.  Those little girls grew up and moved out, bringing back grandchildren for days on the beach.  In the 1980’s, my young sons were fascinated by Santa, and maybe a bit intimidated based on our attempts to use him for improved behavior!

    When my parents downsized to a townhouse in the early 1990’s, my father asked if I wanted Santa for our home.  Of course, I was thrilled- and Santa didn’t complain as he was forced to leave Avalon and move “off shore”.

    Santa loyally followed us on each move- knowing that he would be given a prominent position (with a flood light) at Christmas.   Several years ago, he gratefully moved back to the island to become a Stone Harbor resident!

    Now approaching 50 years old, Santa is showing some signs of wear (aren’t we all).  I thought about asking an artist to do a “touch up”, but it just doesn’t seem right.   It’s good to remember that so much time has passed- it helps us to celebrate the journey.

    Merry Christmas!

     

  • Hello Winter

    Clouds

  • Dress for Success

    My tips for walking the beach in the winter:

    FOOT WEAR- sneakers do not work.  I wear hiking shoes (Merrell’s).  They keep my feet warm and dry, and provide better stability when I “hike” over the jetty rocks!

    SOCKS- I’m a fan of Smart Wool socks.

    PANTS- jeans are like sneakers…worn only when the weather is mild.  Thicker material is best- even if they still have the “mom jeans” look.

    TURTLENECK- prefer those with a stretched out neck- to pull up when walking into the wind.

    JACKET-  I wear an LL Bean ski jacket that I bought on sale years ago (with a hood, and inside pocket to keep my phone warm).  I like that it’s a bright color to contrast against the gray sand/sky.

    HAT/GLOVES- some are warmer than others- depends on weather conditions.  If it’s really brutal, I wear a neck scrunchie that will partially cover my face.

    Doesn’t this sound fun…not to mention fashionable??

    Actually, it’s totally worth it for the views.  Plus I am motivated by my blog and Twitter followers expecting pictures 😉

    shoesDunes

     

  • Never a Bad View

    Thursday

  • Where’s Winter?

    Not complaining…I’m sure I will be whining soon enough  😉

    TuesdayDecember2TuesdayDecember

  • December Views

    No docks, no boats, no bugs!  December kayaking…

    Docks

  • Shore Life

     “One of these things is not like the other…”

    Members of the Stone Harbor Garden Club hang seashore themed Christmas wreaths at various public areas throughout town.  A nice back drop for my kayaking trip yesterday 😉

    DecKayaking

     

     

  • Winter Wildlife

    My reward for bundling up and walking along the beach every day?  Winter wildlife!

    I regularly see peregrine falcons and oystercatchers; and occasionally a snowy owl or bald eagle.

    With only the diehard surfers sharing the space, the dolphins glide by close to shore and ride the waves.

    I have walked by -but not too close!- to sunbathing seals.

    And on Saturday morning, I watched 2 whales slowly breaching above the calm water.  Amazing!

    Falcon

     

     

  • Shoobies in Rehoboth Beach

    A quick trip across the bay last week to Rehoboth Beach.  We contributed to the local economy with shopping, golf, and dinner at downtown restaurants.

    I find that we describe other beach communities by what we know here.  So it seems logical (to me) to describe Rehoboth Beach as having “the vibe of Cape May, mixed with areas of Strathmere and old time Sea Isle”.

     

    RehobothBeachRehoboth