TGIF!

Mornin'!  It's 75° in Wildwood NJ.  It's sunny and a slightly bit breezy (SW 9-11mph).  Humidity's still out there - 95% with a Dewpoint of 75°.  It's heavy with moisture as Ms Sun's beginning to shine down and heat it all up again today.  We've been having a stretch of warm, humid, hazy, summery conditions as of late and today won't be an exception.  We never had the rain the forecasters reported for the overnight/morning.  Todays we might see showers and/or thunderstorms (20% chance) but for the most part it'll be partly sunny with temps in the low-mid 80s and a Southerly breeze at 10-14mph. Tonight...a slight chance of showers on the overnight (30% chance) with the Southerly breeze kicking at 13-17mph.  The weekend still looks 50-50 with tomorrow bringing the 60% chance of showers and/or thunderstorms before the afternoon and 20% later in the day/evening.  It looks like Sunday will be a beauty.
High tide:1:09p.m.
Low tide:6:27a.m. and 7:02p.m.
Ocean temp:77°
Sunset:8:10p.m.
UV Index:9 (very high)
Rip Currents:Moderate
Before I print out my Friday Beach Tips and Beach Etiquette, I have to report that yesterday's beach day was one of those beautiful, refreshing beach days but with a very stiff breeze (off the ocean winds) all day long which helped propel those beach umbrellas not anchored well enough.  Unfortunately, those umbrellas were headed in my direction as I prefer to sit as far from the water (and crowds) as I can.  It's really scary especially when 2 women were impaled by beach umbrellas last month along our east coast making national news. Securing umbrellas is a must when it's that breezy.  If you're not sure how to keep your umbrella fixed and stable...ask someone for help or don't put one up. When it's as windy as yesterday, walking/running right by folks camped on their blanket and/or chair as they're showered by your thoughtless close proximity "kicking up sand" footsteps is more annoying than my teeth becoming gritty with sand!  Also, let's talk about shaking your towels and blankets when it's that windy on the beach...well, we all have to deal with that fine white sand covering just about everything that's lying down in front of us...blankets, reading material, towels, beach bags etc. thanks to the wind. Of course, our natural reaction is to just grab that towel or blanket and give it a shake before replacing it back down for a clean, fresh spot to plant ourselves. At least look around first to see who nearby is being covered by the sand you're shaking off! And last but not least, on my walk back to the street yesterday, the beach in Wildwood Crest (near the dunes) was covered by cans and plastic bottles.  I actually filled a plastic grocery bag to the top with all the trash I collected before heaving it in the nearest can.   There is etiquette out there as you consider all those folks trying to enjoy their beach right along with you.  Just be aware of your surroundings.  I'm done ranting.
Friday Beach Tips and Beach Etiquette~
~Remember to pack water, hat, footwear, towel, sunblock, insect repellent, and shade (umbrella or sand chair with a canopy). If packing an umbrella be aware of wind speed as you may have to take extra steps to secure it such as sand (screw) grabber or bungee cord.  It's pretty amazing how not secure some umbrellas can be as the wind launches them directly toward you.
~Never leave trash on the beach and even better yet...pick up any that you see whether it's yours or not.   Note trash and recycle containers are situated everywhere.
~Don't forget those cigarette butts...collect and trash them.  Or just don't smoke and pollute the lovely sea air. Never stick them in the sand and leave them...that'll be tomorrow's find for the little kid digging in the sand.  Plus, cigarette filters take years to decompose and could be taken to the ocean by the tides giving sea life harmful/toxic cigarette filter tidbits to swallow. Smoking is banned on the Boardwalk in all the towns by the way.
~Remember to pack headphones for your music device or at least keep the volume down to a minimum (believe it or not no one wants to hear your music not to mention your beach neighbor might be quietly trying to listen to their own music).  
~Kindly give your beach neighbors space when selecting your beach campsite. Courtesy is key. Careful not to plop only inches from others' blankets/umbrellas.
~Teach children some beach etiquette. Running (basically "kicking") and dispensing sand nearby others as well as throwing sand is a no-brainer but sometimes you'd never know it.  
~Feeding the seagulls is a big no-no. Eat and snack smartly. Using hands to express emotion when holding your sandwich up or out is a magnet for swooping gulls. Dropping one potato chip thoughtlessly will create seagull havoc. Eat under your umbrella or hooded sand chair as the seagulls are much like vultures and are endlessly eyeing beachgoers eating habits.  They're relentless trying to find the right opportune moment to swoop down and pluck your lunch right out of your hand or mouth (seen it happen many times).  If successful, seagull havoc begins as 40 other gulls come in for a food fight of your scattered lunch.  By the way, seagulls know "chip bags" and if they see one sticking out of your unsupervised beach bag, they will think nothing of helping themselves and remove the bag of chips from your bag as well as share their newly acquired snacks with their gull friends while you're taking a walk or a dip (seen it happen many times).
~Playing ball, frisbee, horseshoes, corn hole, or kite-flying etc is a no-no at the beach.  I mean on the back side of the beach (dune side) or other designated areas is more appropriate for active beach games.  Stay away from those camped out that are simply trying to enjoy their quiet, relaxing beach day.  The beach patrol will probably stop you if playing in the wrong area anyway.  
~Shake towels and blankets away from others noting the wind direction.
~Observe and follow posted beach warnings (closed beaches, no alcohol, strong rip currents, surfboard/boogie board area etc) and always pay attention to lifeguards.  If in doubt...ask the lifeguard (they're terrific people).