 This artistic sand sculpture remained intact over night. The beach cleaner was kind enough to circle around it, so it could be admired for another day.
I feel guilty if I am the first set of foot prints over rows of freshly raked sand. It’s like walking on just vacuumed carpet!Â
The seagulls have had the stronghold on the shore for years- a rival group was bound to hear about the opportunities and try to move in.Â
Has anyone else noticed the black crows? They are breaking in to trash bags and wandering the beach like they own the place.Â
I see them nesting in the center island trees, and stalking the streets on trash day. The other evening on the beach, the crows were all around, surrounding my chair- very creepy!Â
 Crows on the wire.
I live 1,125 feet from the beach (375 yards for those who golf). The hot air hit me as soon as I walked out of my house. Thankfully, the beach has a separate weather system. The cool air hanging over the ocean could be felt as soon as I reached the beach path.
During my walk, there was a constant battle between the steady south west wind and the cooler ocean air. The swirl of hot and cool surrounded me- with the hot air winning the battle once the sun broke through the clouds.
Keep cool- sit by the water, and root for the sea breeze!
I was composing today’s entry in my head as I walked along the beach this morning. It was all positive: a cool and eerie fog, the sweet smell of salt water, a man playing a bugle (seriously), the sun breaking through the clouds…UNTIL an unleashed German Shepherd appeared out of the mist!
I stopped dead in my tracks- and asked the owners to please leash their dog. They looked confused- why would I mind a large dog running toward me??? I think I may have encountered this same dog last summer (one of many), prompting a similar “vent” in my blog!
Sure enough- on my return, the dog was once again off the leash. The owner had a difficult time catching the dog- and I had to wait through this process, and endure nasty looks.Â
I am not comfortable around dogs, and afraid of certain breeds. So it’s frustrating to feel intimidated when I just want to enjoy a walk along the beach.
I noticed this last summer…and the trend continues. Are bathing suit cover-ups in short supply? Have manufacturers stopped producing them?Â
This crisis forces hundreds of girls to walk around in their bikinis, even while shopping down town. And then, in the spirit of solidarity, men remove their shirts. It’s an endless cycle… 😉
 Incredible- this is the view from 11th Street looking north toward the jetty. The north end beach replenishment was completed just before the 4th of July. The Borough of Avalon officials deserve high praise for expediting this project.
   
          
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Full moon rising over the ocean, and another beautiful sunset last night. Today, a cool sea breeze along the beach. Life is good!
Not the correct name of the song- but my title applies tonight. The setting sun was a HUGE red ball reflecting over the calm back bay. And the almost full moon was bright white over the ocean. No waves, so the surfers were just hanging with the dolphins. Now the sky is a brilliant pink and blue- beautiful!
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 I had my concerns about the bike lane, but I have to admit- it works. The bike riders stay off to the side and for the most part- ride in the correct direction. I feel safer when I am on my bike; and when driving, I’m glad the young children have guidelines to stay focused on the road.
 Not sure why the life guard stand was on the wrong side of the beach path this morning?? At first I thought the beach patrol was concerned about high tide…but all of the other stands were in their normal locations. Maybe it was “borrowed” for the night?
 Great waves for the surfers, thanks to Bertha. The churned up cool water created a fog along the water’s edge, obstructing the normally clear view to North Wildwood from the south end of Stone Harbor.Â
A picture perfect beach day for “shore” 🙂