Thursday, July 12, 2012

The scent of the sea

Dear friends of ours who live in MS have been vacationing up north for the week, staying at a beach house in Avalon, NJ that’s owned by a friend. They brought their three grown children and their grandchildren, and members of their family in NJ have been in and out all week.

Avalon is only a 2-hour journey from our house, and I’d chosen this day to visit them, taking the day off from work. My husband and I left early in the morning and as we got close to our destination, I could begin to smell the heady scent of the seashore.

I love that smell. I grew up with that smell.

 

 

DSC_0145 copy 2

Most of the vacationers were awake when we arrived, but we wanted to see the ocean right away, so down the street we walked and up the sandy path.

 

 

DSC_0147 copy 2

To see the sea.

 

 

DSC_0146 copy 2

The beach was practically empty.

And the colors were lovely.

 

 

DSC_0155 copy 2

We were only down here for about five minutes, but I was happy with the shots I took.

 

 

DSC_0152 copy 2

The houses in Avalon are very lah-di-dah.

 

 

DSC_0151 copy 2

That one on the right is huge, isn’t it? There’s a close-up of it at the end of this post.

 

 

DSC_0150 copy 2

* sigh *

 

 

DSC_0173 copy 2

Taken from the third floor deck where my friends are staying. The house has so many little decks, and such a wonderful view from this one.

 

: : :

 

Tomorrow I have more plans that include traveling so I’ll keep you posted. But for now I need to get some sleep. Hope you enjoyed the ocean views ~

 

 

DSC_0160 copy 2

Cheers ~

 

123 Signature[5]

40 comments:

JaneK said...

sigh.....

spindrift,maine said...

Oh, how nice for you, Kate! Our family stayed at a spot like this in MD a couple of summers ago. Not sure I really could get excited about the house, all sandwiched in with other huge places. It had a pool table and Wii and a sound system in every room and two dishwashers and updated everything and gazillions of bedrooms with their own baths....but the ocean is primitive yet never needs updating and the smells and sounds are so healing.... enjoy!

spindrift,maine said...

Delaware, I mean. Delaware. ;o)

BB said...

Can I admit I don't know all the states initials (I know Texas is TX and New York is NY but I start guessing after that!).

The smell of the sea is one of the most invigorating of any, I think. I love it. Lived at the seaside for 6 years and felt invigorated every day I inhaled that air.

That architecture is great - instantly recognisable as American!
:-)
BB

Cloudia said...

Down the shore!



Pleasant thoughts &
Aloha from Waikiki
Comfort Spiral
> < } } ( ° >

it's me said...

Love the sea! sad that so many huge houses crowd together now at the edge--I am old enough to remember some natural beaches that stretched for miles. Sea oats...just gorgeous!

truck loan said...

How I wish I can live there. Huge houses near the sea? Lovely. i'll be contented with my life if ever.

Sheila said...

What beautiful images, thanks for sharing you adventure at the shore with us. Have a great time!

Jill of All Trades said...

What a wonderful place. Yes "sigh", I would love to go there and just take a deep breath.

Hilary said...

Ah, yes, stayed with a friend in Stone Harbor years and years ago.....it is quite la-di-dah. Way over my head.
But the beach is lovely.
Where is George????
You got me worried.

Elizabeth said...

Kate - thanks so much for sharing these photos...they are lovely and inviting. Both my parents were born and raised in Philadelphia and spent every summer in Sea Isle City, one town north of Avalon. I was lucky enough to have spent many summers at my grandparent's house there as well. I have such good memories of the shore. It's been several years since I was there, so your photos gave me a little glimpse of what I'm missing.

Anonymous said...

Makes me want to live a bit closer to the ocean... soon perhaps... sooon. :-)

The JR said...

at 1st glance, I thought those were hotels....very nice houses indeed

beautiful place

Sabrina Steyling said...

Such beautiful photos! Thanks for sharing. I live in NJ (born and raised) but have never been to Avalon! I spend my beach time at Seaside, Point Pleasant, or Ocean Grove, the latter of which has homes similar to the ones you photographed. Makes me ache for the seashore; I haven't been yet this summer but hopefully I will!

Nellie said...

What a wonderful outing! I fear I wouldn't be able to return after only a day, however.:)

Bluebird49 said...

All I can say is oh, oh, oh! Oh, I'm glad you got to see and smell and hopefully, taste the good food up there! I'm so glad everyone was ready to travel that day!

wayne15575 said...

What a beautiful place to stay in. Love it.

sharon said...

pick up the sand and throw it my way will ya! love the beach!

Jan's camera said...

I just love beach photos. Everytime I go to the beach I just snap away. I especially love the last one. Living in Mass. a beach is only a 40 minute ride away. Have a fun time Kate. Enjoy.

Jan's camera said...

Oh, and I love your new banner. Pretty and summery.

Gillian Olson said...

Beautiful ocean side pictures, I agree the smell of the ocean is so exciting, especially if you have been away for a while.

thecatalanway said...

Oh the beach the beach! We must all live by the beach. But no we can't or it wouldn't be so nice as it is.....
I completely understand your feeling - the smell, the freshness, the need to get down there as fast as possible.
Of course I lived by the sea for years and I hope I will again sometime soon. If it is in your blood it never leaves you and sometime and somehow you too will be in sniffing distance of the waves again! I feel sure of it. Kate x

Ocean Breezes and Country Sneezes said...

Any time near the ocean is devine! Love the tall sea grass photo & the American flag photo! Hope yup had a great time!

Andi said...

Early morning and evening, two of my favorite times for the beach. Avalon itself is very la-di-dah, so the houses go along! :D Glad you got away for the day!

(GBS) NewsFromTheHill said...

What a lovely place to visit! So glad you got to see your friends.

Happy Belated Birthday George!! Hope you got some treats and maybe a new squeeky toy?

(GBS) NewsFromTheHill said...

What a lovely place to visit! So glad you got to see your friends.

Happy Belated Birthday George!! Hope you got some treats and maybe a new squeeky toy?

Carolynn Anctil said...

That looks like a beautiful spot. I especially like the photos of the boardwalk and the grasses. Very peaceful and serene.

Dianne said...

sigh is right
beautiful beach, I love it when it's quiet

lots of little decks all over a house sounds like heaven

mrs mediocrity said...

Oh, what a beautiful place.

I am in love with the seagull (or whatever bird that is) photo!

Kelli said...

I loved your ocean views!
I live by the ocean, and never a day goes by where I don't think about how lucky I am to live here.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

beth said...

oh the sea.....i could smell it just from looking at your amazing photos. thanks for that gift....xo

Anonymous said...

Oh those homes...Avalon, Deal, Avon. I would love to live down the shore...and then I look at the prices and think about the insurance and think about possible flooding. I'd still like to live there! Note to self: buy lottery tickets!

Ellen said...

There's a special scent to the Jersey shore that you smell as soon as you hit the back bay area. That salty air that makes you sleep well at night and cleans out your nose!

debi beard said...

what a beautiful life you have! I was enchanted by the name of your blog and had to take a look, I don't have time to read very many, I wish I did.
thanks for subscribing to my youtube channel.
also George is extremely handsome!
Praying for your Husband, my Mom is on an alternative cancer therapy that is working very well for her. If you are interested, you can find info at gerson.org
sincerely,
Debi Beard

Reena said...

What a great day! Avalan is a bit la-de-dah! But oh, the homes ARE gorgeous! Love that picture of the walkway to the beach ... I can feel the breeze and smell the ocean! BTW, it is HOT up here! 90 degrees today!

Caroline said...

There is something about that "sea smell" isn't there? Well it looks like the shore is doing you some good. Enjoy! xoxo

altar ego said...

Living in the middle of the continent (essentially) beach experiences are rare these days. But I grew up spending summer vacations on Cape Cod, and I grow very nostalgic seeing exposed shingling like on these beachside "cottages." Thank you for guiding me back to some endeared memories, and for sharing your visit to the beach with us. Tonic, I tell you. Pass the gin.

Daryl said...

the place Bridezilla's family rents every August on the OBX is like these .. huge with many rooms, decks and a great view .. xo

Kerri Farley said...

Oh how lovely ..... there's just something about the beach that calls to me ....

Lili said...

This was the first time I've ever even seen pics of New Jersey's shore. The light is just gorgeous, and oh my the homes are so beautiful. I especially love the close up of your last shot. xo ~Lili