I made my first trip to the beach for the year and found things in good shape and headed for better. I was pleased and impressed to find many stores open but there are more to come. Even the Ferris Wheel was dressed up for the weekend. Beach Haven favorites and stand-bys such as Buckalews and Uncle Will’s and Hands and Fred’s Diner are open for business. There are, however, still many signs of damage and sadness as people work to restore their summer and even year-round homes. My friend, Nick, continues to restore the boat landing at the end of my street where there is still evidence of damage but signs of life coming back.
These tulips had about five feet of salt water above them during Sandy. Yet, here they are. Nick also has most of the Purple Martin houses re-erected.
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At the beach the artificial dunes created post-Sandy presently block the entrance from the street ends and give one the feeling of being on the edge of a great desert.
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Clearly, however, people are crossing the desert and the dune, and wandering around

Where’d everybody go?
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The erosion caused by Hurricane Sandy has exposed a number of groins and jetties from past years.
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It’s a good feeling to see people back enjoying what the beach has to offer.
April 25, 2013 at 6:56 am
Thank you for the beautiful update.
April 25, 2013 at 10:21 am
Thanks, Pat. I was thinking during the meeting that a day-on-LBI field trip this summer would be fun. Early start for sunrise behind Old Barney and then work our way down the island.
April 25, 2013 at 7:09 am
That is fantastic!! Thanks for sharing Ralph!!!!
April 25, 2013 at 10:22 am
Thanks, fellow sea-shorer.
April 25, 2013 at 7:20 am
Great news!
April 25, 2013 at 7:44 am
Nice “jog” about summer’s coming back.
April 25, 2013 at 10:23 am
Hey, Bob, it is nice to be back. Looking forward to a less stressful summer than last. Best to Sydney.
April 25, 2013 at 8:19 am
Good to see that things are coming back. Thanks
April 25, 2013 at 10:24 am
Thanks, Larry. Great new list of proposed field trips that Pat handed out last night. Your Florida plans sound ambitious.
April 25, 2013 at 9:07 am
Ralph: thank you for the wonderful signs of Spring and renewed hope on our precious LBI. Hope to see you on the first May weekend.
April 25, 2013 at 9:56 am
Thanks Ralph. I very much enjoyed the update and photos.
April 25, 2013 at 10:25 am
Thanks, Ken. It really felt good to be back, even to hear the gulls crying.
April 25, 2013 at 10:35 am
Ralph great pix of the Jersey Shore… fond memories. thx
May 2, 2013 at 1:46 pm
Thanks, Cuz. I know your Mom had worn a path down Granville to the beach.
April 25, 2013 at 1:48 pm
Many thanks, Ralph!
Seeing the world through your eyes is always heartening. Even more so this time with its signs of rebirth in the place where it is always a Beautiful Day! I look forward to returning to walk the Beach after Memorial Day.
Bruce
May 2, 2013 at 1:40 pm
And I look forward to seeing you during the season, Bruce.
April 25, 2013 at 2:31 pm
Makes me feel good to know things seem to be returning to normal. Nice post!
May 2, 2013 at 1:41 pm
Thanks, D. Always nice to make others feel good..
April 25, 2013 at 4:42 pm
I envy the fact that you get to have your summers down there – I miss it so much! Thanks for sharing your terrific images and letting us know that everything down there is getting back to normal. Have a great summer!
May 2, 2013 at 1:42 pm
Diane, you’ll be missed.
April 25, 2013 at 5:10 pm
Glad to see that the island is coming back and you are back on it. We are still in Colorado but plan to return late May,
May 2, 2013 at 1:42 pm
See you this summer, Sally.
April 26, 2013 at 2:35 pm
Spring is here! Life continues on – hope springs eternal and a dear friend with astute eyes and ears and a camera capture the beauty of a beloved place – Many thanks, Ralph
May 2, 2013 at 1:43 pm
Thanks, Claire. See you this summer, I hope.
May 1, 2013 at 10:33 pm
Thanks for the beautiful pictures Ralph! It was wonderful to see the sun shining on the ocean and we are all looking forward to another fun summer in Beach Haven!
May 2, 2013 at 1:43 pm
You bet, Norrie. Thanks.