Snow boots instead of flip flops for a walk on the beach. Temperatures still in the 20’s, but the sun felt great.
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A distinct high tide line on the beach.Â
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Snow on the marsh and some ice on the bay.
Okay…that was fun.  I’m ready for spring!
 Brilliant sunshine this morning- and at least 8″ of snow on our deck!
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104th and 
Second Avenue in Stone Harbor.
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The beach block of 73rd Street in the south end of Avalon- waiting for the snow plow!
Looking forward to my walk on the beach after work…
I had a flashback when I stopped to take pictures of the dunes. As “beach kids”, the dunes were our sledding hills!  Isn’t that pathetic??   We could only make so many runs before we hit sand…a gross combination of wet snow and sand all over our clothes.   Keep in mind that snow is a rare event at the shore- so no long term environmental damage to the dunes  😉
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95th Street public parking area by the beach.
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A white out on the beach!Â
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The Villa Maria Retreat House on 111th Street and the beach.
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The snow is an interesting change of scenery…but I prefer summer!
This snow storm is much more than the “light dusting” predicted.
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 21st Street boardwalk, 25th and Dune Drive, and the 21st Street Circle in Avalon.
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 Sorry for the tilted pictures. Trying to stay dry while checking out the snow!
This is the view outside my office- just before 12 noon on Saturday.
Looks pretty! And more snow than we expected “for shore” 🙂
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Another view of Dune Drive in Avalon- looking across to Hoy’s 5 & 10.
Huge snow flakes- and really coming down now.
Avalon and Stone Harbor, NJ:Â 12 properties were posted as Under Contract (settlement within the next few months); and an additional 18 homes SOLD (final settlement) during this month .Â
Not bad for a cold January at the shore!
Grateful for the sand dunes blocking the strong west winds as I walked along the beach!Â
Colder temperatures and maybe some snow?? expected later this week.
For our summer visitors, this is an incredible site: an empty Wawa parking lot!
The locals appreciate the businesses that tough it out through the slow winter months.Â
For example- the lights are on every night at Nemo’s on 98th and Third Avenue in Stone Harbor. Great pizza and reasonable dinner specials.
P.S. Another year round restaurant was recognized yesterday by the Borough of Avalon. I happened to be in Maggie’s Restaurant for lunch while Mayor Martin Pagliughi presented a plaque to owners Maggie and Dan to commemorate their 20 years in business.  The mayor thanked them for their many contributions to the community over the years.  Congrats!
 
                                                                                                     I have a strong sense of smell. One of my co-workers swears I was a sniffer dog in a past life.Â
While previewing houses, I find gas leaks, mold, rotted food, etc. Such talent!
My favorite smell? Salt air, of course. There is nothing better. Take a deep breath and immediately feel healthier and more alive.
The east wind carried the salt air smell to my front sidewalk this morning as I retrieved the newspaper.  I hurried through breakfast so that I could walk on the beach before work. Great way to start the day!
Rental Inspections
The Boroughs of Avalon and Stone Harbor require annual inspections for all rental properties. The Department of Fire Prevention checks for safety issues and code violations.
All rental properties must have smoke detectors (within 10′ of each bedroom, and at least one on each floor), GFI outlets within 6′ of a sink, and carbon monoxide detectors in homes with gas /oil, a fireplace, or an attached garage. A commercial grade fire extinguisher (serviced annually) located in the kitchen. And no propane tanks (for gas grills) on decks or within 5′ of exterior walls.Â
The construction office in each town has a similar inspection for the transfer (sale) of all properties, too.
For more information, call 609-368-5102 ext 105 in Stone Harbor;Â or 609-967-4220 in Avalon.