 A bright fireball for the sunset tonight- blinding to view, and coloring the neighborhood with a soft orange glow.Â
In the summer, this type of sunset precedes a hot day…if only that were true in April! Today’s 48 degree temperatures felt soooo much colder with the strong north west winds.
Save the date: bulk trash pick up is scheduled in Avalon and Stone Harbor for Monday, May 11th. Homeowners are permitted to put items to the curb the weekend prior.
Two ways to enjoy this event- 1) sitting in your house watching others make their selections (fun to guess what they will take); or 2) going out and searching for treasures yourself (best at dark so your neighbors can’t see you!).  This is an earth friendly event- fewer items for the landfill by the time the trucks drive around for the final collection.
I will clean out our storage space…to make room for the “new to us” bicycles that are bound to find their way to our home  🙂
http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/181/story/448732.html
Article in today’s Press regarding the north end beaches of Avalon. Sand will be delivered by trucks to 10th, 12th, and 15th Streets, and spread by heavy machinery from 9th through 18th Streets. All in time for the 2009 beach season.
 No word yet about the pending Stone Harbor beach fill project (between 98th and 111th Streets). Survey markers are in place near the dune line, but no other activity to date.
A sunny weekend after several days of rain. It’s windy, but temperatures are mild at the shore. Even better weather expected tomorrow.
Nice to finally see color around the island- spring flowers, green grass, and budding trees.Â
Uncle Bill’s in Stone Harbor is back open 7 days a week (the Avalon restaurant is open year round), and we are seeing more “Open” signs on the weekends around town.  The old Henny’s building on 97th Street is getting a facelift in preparation for the Mother’s Day weekend opening of BlackFish Restaurant. Avalon Coffee, The Concord, and Windrift are weekend options, too.
Glad to see the return of businesses and people!
The re-construction of the Avalon boardwalk is partially complete.
Nice, smooth boards for early morning bike rides or evening walks.Â
The light wood will eventually darken from the elements-  ice cream drips and spilled soda!
 The 26.2 mile run from Cape May to Sea Isle City is underway. Today’s weather is standard fare for this race (maybe because it’s scheduled for March??)
But, there is good news:Â the winds are from the south-Â giving the runners a bit of a push along the way; and the air temperature is 50 degrees, so the rain won’t feel as biting as in past years.
For truth in journalism, I walked part of the course before work.  I was tired after 2 miles…can’t imagine the remaining 24.2! The runners start in Cape May along the promenade, and cross each foggy, Ocean Drive bridge connecting the barrier islands.
Â
For race specifics and results:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â http://www.odmarathon.org/
 The Borough of Stone Harbor reported the construction of 2 new bird watching platforms at the point. The first one is easy to find- follow the driveway path off the 123rd Street parking lot. It’s basically a nice sun deck positioned on top of a dune- with exceptional views of the ocean, bay, wetlands, and birds (the official purpose of the site). Â
The 2nd, smaller platform is harder to find. Two choices: from the 1st platform, follow the crushed shell path west (toward the bridge) and look on your right. This one sits lower and closer to the marsh. Or, for a more interesting walk (at low tide only), follow the path at the end of Third Avenue- south of 122nd Street. The bay side of the point gives you a completely different perspective of the end of the island. The path will bring you around to the 2nd platform, and then you can continue your walk around to the beach side.
Tip- take advantage of the spring weather for the marsh walk. Once the warm weather arrives, so will the bugs 🙂
 The temperatures are still a bit cool, but seeing the calm water at high tide this morning makes me anxious to go kayaking. Our back bays warm up earlier than the ocean (my feet get wet as I launch the boat- but I make every effort not to flip over)- and it should be tolerable by next month.Â
I definitely have spring fever!
I’ve commented on this before- selling real estate on the island for 25+ years, I can’t tell you how many home owners proclaim that their property is located “on the highest part of the island”.  I’ve even heard my husband make the claim when talking with neighbors!
Well, the Borough of Stone Harbor provides supporting data – a color coded brochure mailed to each property owner (and available on their web site):
http://www.stone-harbor.nj.us/elevation.asp
The green sections are the “highest points” in Stone Harbor. Most are along the beach/ dunes, and in the south end past the Bird Sanctuary. The white areas are next, and cover most of the blocks between First and Second Avenues. The blocks between Second and Third Avenues are a mixture of white and yellow elevations. In my experience, the yellow areas will see standing water in the street during a heavy rain storm/high tide combination. The bayside of town is mostly orange, with sections of pink (the lowest elevation). These areas will flood during severe storms. Residents are told to move their cars to avoid salt water damage. Flooding may be limited to the street and just over the sidewalk- but potential buyers in those areas should be aware of the situation.
When you live in a beautiful community surrounded by water, understanding the lay of the land is just part of the deal 🙂
Easter Weekend at the Shore
 Owners are starting to arrive for the holiday weekend- good to see more houses with lights!
Beautiful here today. The official full moon is tonight- a great excuse for a walk along the beach at sunset.Â
For a beach experience on Easter Sunday, the island churches participate in a community sunrise service- held at the 88th Street pavilion at 6:15am.