 
 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 🙂
 Took a 4 mile hike through Big Basin Redwoods State Park- the trees are amazing (I am walking through one of the trunks in the photo). The road to and from the park was like a roller coaster ride- we were so glad to eventually reach the coastal road.
 Speaking of the coastal road, the section between Santa Cruz and Half Moon Bay is unique. It’s a prime farming area- with large planted fields adjacent to the ocean cliffs- I’m surprised the salt spray doesn’t effect the crops. The largest crop- pumpkins. The farm stands were bursting with supply!
 Now this is the way to end the day…a bag piper on the 1st tee of The Links at Spanish Bay (one of the golf courses in the Pebble Beach area). He walked on just before sunset- in full costume- and played for about 15 minutes- very cool!
 
 While my husband golfed, I walked around Carmel- a perfect little town along the coast with a real sand beach and beautiful views to Pebble Beach.  The homes are modest in size, and an interesting mix of English story book cottages and upscale beach bungalows surrounded by mature trees. The woods/beach setting reminds me of Kiawah, South Carolina- another favorite beach location.
 
 California has a sense of humor regarding their “public beach access” signs. It’s often a partial set of steps hanging from a cliff. The erosion leaves a shear drop to rocks and maybe a spit of sand. Just can’t picture bringing a chair and a book for for the day.
And we have the nerve to grumble when walking through the long paths in the high dunes of Avalon!
We live by the surfing beach in Stone Harbor, so I know to look the other way when the young (and not so young) men are wrapped in a towel next to their cars in the morning. They try to be modest…especially with the nun’s retreat house in full view.
Tonight, we selected a restaurant by the beach just in time for sunset. Didn’t realize that the public rinse off shower was located in front of our patio dining area. One by one, the surfers dropped their boards on the grass, and proceeded to remove their full wet suits while juggling a towel. It was our entertainment for the evening!Â
Fall Back Weekend
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