Labor Day is early this year, but HEY we still have 2 full weeks of summer! Ignore those “End of Season Sale” signs in stores (okay- take advantage of the sales, but don’t let it effect your mood).  Don’t rush the inevidible- enjoy the remaining weeks…
  
I was never an athlete (year book editor type), so when I bought my first kayak a few years ago, my family was a bit puzzled. In a typical show of support, one of my sisters asked “Why, in your mid- 40’s did you suddenly decide to become athletic??”
Well, it wasn’t a passing phase, and I go out on the bay (and sometimes the ocean) on a regular basis. Proof that you can find an activity that suits your personality and skill level. It’s always an adventure…
 
 This is the other side of Stone Harbor Point- before you reach the inlet (and ocean).
 A natural beach for the birds at the tip of Stone Harbor Point.
 The Grassy Sound Bridge- interesting to go under the bridges. To see the damage from the salt air is incredible…makes me wonder what I will look like as I get older 😉
I hear this question every day…and ask the same question when I talk with other local business owners.Â
The season started off a bit unsettled. I believe our visitor base had concerns about gas prices, and the economy in general.  Prime rental properties experienced vacancies in July. Summer homeowners provided weekend business for the restaurants and shops, but the island was quiet mid-week.
Beautiful weather and warm temperatures increased demand as we approached August. Last minute requests for weekly rentals continue; and we have “sold out” island wide for the past few weeks. We expect strong occupancy numbers through Labor Day Weekend.
The bottom line: The Seven Mile Beach is an exceptional, name brand destination- located within a reasonable driving distance of a huge customer base. Summer of 2008 is proof that we can survive challenging economic times.
Thankfully not too many this summer…but what to do?? Finish reading the Sunday paper; walk around 96th Street (and observe the pub crawl participants arrive in 2 school buses- in various costumes and levels of sobriety); see a movie (“Momma Mia”…loved it!); take a walk; and watch the Olympics.Â
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Mystery solved: What happens to all of those giantic stuffed animals on display in the game areas on Wildwood Boardwalk? Certainly no one ever wins one…
 They escape at night and hang out on “Nun’s Beach” in Stone Harbor!
 Enjoy the rest of the weekend 🙂
I am proud to support Brendan’s Fund. This local organization provides financial and emotional assistance to Cape May County families coping with pediatric cancer. The Surf Memorial is next Saturday- and a full week’s worth of events starting tonight (see web site or posters in local businesses for more details).
Join in…it’s an expectionally worthy cause.
 The water temperature is finally in the 70’s. Time to get back in the ocean! The local newspaper is calling it “Lake Atlantic” due to the lack of waves.
I miss my early moring beach walking companions- the dolphins, and hope the warmer water brings them back closer to shore soon…
 Even if you don’t live on the bay- there are opportunities to enjoy the calm (and usually warmer) back bay waterways. Avalon and Stone Harbor have several public docks. The easiest for parking: Avalon Bay Park with a fishing/crabbing dock on 53rd Street, and swimming dock/ kayak launch area on 57th Street. Other docks: 8th Street, over the 21st and 25th Street bridges, 23rd Street, 81st Street, 83rd Street, and 113th Street.
Tide schedule available on Avalon Anchorage Marina’s web site: http://www.avalonanchorage.com/
Another big weekend along Seven Mile Beach. The first Saturday of August is traditionally our busiest rental check in day, with the popular Arts and Crafts Show one of the main attractions.  A fast moving thunderstorm rolled in early Saturday morning. The gusty winds toppled several deck tables- a frustrating mess because the tempered glass breaks in to a billion pieces! (a practical reason to always secure your deck umbrella when not in use).
 A Walk After Sunset Tonight
It was wonderfully cool along the beach- and the lights of Wildwood boardwalk glowed in the distance. One bright star over the calm ocean, and a crescent moon over the bay. Most decks were in use as family and friends enjoyed the night (this is the true sense of a seashore vacation). I also appreciated the opportunity to see inside the well lit homes as I walked by (totally real estate related…not just me being nosy!)
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August Weather
Another reason to appreciate summer at the Jersey Shore: the mountain towns of Colorado (where my son lives) had 6″ of snow yesterday. And we complain that the ocean is a bit chilly??
Enjoy this beautiful weekend… the weather here is perfect!