We’ve spent the last four days “down the shore” with friends at our neighbors’ shore house in Ship Bottom on Long Beach Island. For the next few days I’ll be taking you along with me ... down the Jersey shore.

I love early morning walks on the beach before most other people get there. The sands are freshly groomed and all traces of yesterday’s beach goers have been removed, leaving a clean slate for the new day. I share the sand with a few other early morning walkers, an assortment of gulls, and a woman with a metal detector. The other walkers are clutching their coffee mugs in their hands while my hands hold my camera. We nod and say “good morning” to each other, smiling as if to say “isn’t this a beautiful morning?” without saying it out loud.

The gulls eye me warily. Possibly sizing me up for a handout of food.

Gull crossing!

The waves lap at my feet as I walk along, leaving a foamy trail of suds behind.

Upended shells capture “sea suds.”

The water is warm this morning but the waves are mighty as they relentlessly pound the shore.

My footprints behind me in the sand look indelible.

But as the next waves washes over them they disappear as if they never existed.

The sand at the water’s edge is an ever changing canvas whose artwork lies in the shells and other objects left behind. Waves roll in and shells are deposited at its highest point. Some are carried back out, tumbling over and over, caught in the strong pull of the receding water. Each new wave rearranges the objects on the canvas of sand. It never ceases to fascinate me.

For a beachcomber like me, morning is the absolute best time of the day.

There is only one word I can think of to describe your experience- Perfect!
I spent my weekend t Myrtle Beach in South Carolina, I miss it aleady! Those pictures were beautiful!

Beautiful photos! I can smell the sea air.

Jess, it’s a complete change of scene for us when we go down there! My sister’s MIL lives in Myrtle Beach!

Mary, thank you! We still are carrying the salt on our car windows!

Ah, the Jersey shore. . . your pictures are beautiful.

Thanks for taking me along…not too many scenes like that here in the “Fort City”

Love, love, love the beach photos!  Really makes me feel like I am there!

Thanks Jersey Memories!

Debra, yeah I am still getting used to living a mere 2 hours away from the beach! It’s too long to really do a day trip; better to stay overnight especially with the traffic.

Jan, thank you! So glad you enjoyed the pics.

hey - That’s VERY familiary territory!  My in-laws have a house on Barnegat Bay.  When I want to hit the oceanside, we usually go to Ship Bottom since it’s the first town right after you go over the causeway.  If you haven’t bene yet, I recommend the amusement park in Beach Haven.
have fun!

Hi Lynn!  I’ve been reading your blog for quite a while, but have never commented before.  I just LOVE your photos!!  We too live in NJ, and L.B.I. is one of our most favorite places to go.  We try to get down there at least twice a year.  I just love your perspective—you have such an artistic eye.  You see beauty in so many everyday things.  Thanks for sharing!

SaucyB, I love LBI in Barnegat Bay! So different than the rest of the island. Ship Bottom is so very busy!

Wendy, welcome! Thanks so much for leaving a comment to let me know you are out there reading. And what an absolutely lovely thing to say! You made my day: thank you!!!!!!