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Early day at work today which lead to an early dinner. I checked the tide chart and perfect . . . low tide 5:30pm. Packed up Yellow Girl and her tennis ball. During our long walk in the sand we meet several new doggie friends and had a blast playing in the waves. On the way back to the mainland, we came across this fellow looking for a dinner time snack.

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Late this afternoon at the bay.

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a glorious morning at the beach

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With the thermometer peaking out at 92, it was the record high for us. After spending some time this morning cooling off in the ocean waters, B and I decided to take the girls back this evening. Since the official summer season has not started here, other than the surf fishermen, we had the beach to ownselves. Great fun for both man and beast!

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With temps reaching 80 today, there was no better place to be than the beach. Of course!!

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I have always equated cattus with hot, dry, sandy areas.

I am still suprised whenever I see the abundance of cattus we have at the beach.

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Weather forecast for the day called for temps near 80!!

Get your bikinis on girls Grab the tennis ball, we've heading to the beach!!

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While enjoying a visit to the island today, I saw more red fox than I had ever before. They are looking a raggy as they are currently shedding their winter coats but they are as beautiful as ever.

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off season @ IBSP

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“Something Wicked This Way Comes” ~ we’re busy bracing for Irene’s arrival and it isn’t looking pretty. Perhaps, since I have safely experienced two hurricanes and many Nor’easters, I am not an alarmist. But frankly, this time I’m more than a bit concerned. Maybe, I am older and wiser, maybe the news reporters are over reporting, maybe locals are over reacting.  Regardless, evacuations have begun off of our barrier islands and bridges and all major roadways are closed to incoming traffic. (sorry no Lighthouse storm photos) The roadways out of town are bumper to bumper. The storm is due to arrive late this afternoon.  After work, I am going home and staying put.  I do not plan on evacuating.

I continued to make preparations. The puppies and I will be home. B will be at the radio station updating reports. He was able to locate our one flashlight and, yes, the batteries were dead. For some unknown reason I felt one flashlight wasn't enough and had the need to purchase two new flashlights along with several packs of batteries. I have bottles of water for drinking and plan on filling the bathtub with (wine for calming my nerves) water for other uses. I will charge my cell phone and both of my camera batteries. I am doing laundry, washing my hair and shaving my legs. Oh, the horror of not being able to shave and not having clean clothes.  I am just not going to be happy if the electric goes out and I am not able to upload photos and play on the internet. Wish us luck.

The calm before the storm ~

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One of my favorite beaches to frequent is Island Beach State Park. It is one of the few remaining undeveloped barrier islands along the Atlantic coast. Besides having some the most gorgeous, sugar sand beaches and rolling waves, it is home to an abundance of wildlife. Often while “renewing my spirit” I have the joy of watching dolphin playing and feeding in the waves, pelican scoop for a meal and Osprey fly over with the catch of the day. There is a large number of red fox who call this 10 mile island home but they are true to their character and shy from people. This evening not only did we see several but luck be with me, I had my camera.

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One husband, two black labs, and three tennis balls makes for an enjoying evening at the beach.

On a scale of 1 - 10, it was easily a 25!