Tag Archives: weather

Focus: Sunset River Walk Reflection

As the sun sets over the Navesink River, a walk on the Fair Haven Dock sheds light on river time that saw its season, its sunshine — river time that stays within and keeps us warm with a vivid picture of where we were, where we are.

And when you’re lucky enough to go back in river time with a first childhood friend, the winter walk gets warmer with each step. Each step forward brings you back to the same place, together, half a century later, where the sun shines bright, searing the power of one place into your forever inner child’s mind. The sear is an intricate lightning caress. A tidy, stinging storm of light.

It hits hard, bloated with love, and courses through all that you are, all that you were. It knows the two are the same deep inside. The searing light pens the picture pristine, the detail intricate, embeds it in each smile line on your face. It etches, never turning the picture to ash, only refining it.

You can see it all … in that river walk back with that childhood friend. It’s clear — so clear that you can hear it. You can hear the splash as you turn to the girl who dared to jump with the cool kids all those years ago. She smiles at the girl who stood and watched, still anchored, never wanting loose her footing on that piece of home. She’s docked there, forever reminding her friend that she is, too.

They pluck oyster shells from the shore to mark the splash made, the picture emblazoned. The sun sinks into the horizon. Its light stays within. The shells once held a pearl. The river remembers it all. It holds on tight as the friends walk away … clasping their pearly shells.

— Elaine Van Develde

Any time is river walk time. The sun is another story for the rest of this week and through the weekend. Here’s the forecast from the National Weather Service …

Focus: Fall for a River Anchor of Warmth

Whatever anchors your heart and floats your boat — like a crisp, sun-kissed fall day down by the river in Fair Haven.

Doesn’t matter if the boat floats. The heart fits. And it’s always anchored at the river for the soul of a Rumson-Fair Haven area kid. No matter what, when the sun’s rays warm the chill in the fall air, it’s always a reminder of what berths and soothes while cradling the heart in the warm embrace of a lapping tide down by the river.

It’s a toasty harbor, whether or not the sails are set. The boat, the heart, knows where home is — and it snuggles in, as the cold disappears with a memory and a dream of what there is “no place like.”

The sun is due to cast its rays this week, shining on the best of pre-winter moments …

Here’s the weather forecast for this week, courtesy of the National Weather Service:

Focus: Falling for Sun-Drenched River Time

Sunny days and Mondays are a great way to start the week — especially in the fall with some river time in Rumson tossed in.

With river time, along the Navesink River, it’s all about warmth. Soaking up the sun while getting a soothing embrace from the river is the coziest it gets. Always a homecoming.

There’s nothing like the soul taking a dip in the sun-drenched riverfront. Falling for it all on a fall day. Never shaking off an ounce of its healing power. Taking it in, holding it for a lifetime.

There are more sunny fall river days to come this week. Take a look at the forecast from the National Weather Service

Focus: Locals’ Summer Dock Walk

Sometimes you just have to take a walk on the dock side — or top. And so you do …

Call it a locals’ summer stride. Any time of the year, a stroll on, below or beside the Fair Haven Dock is the most soothing way to go. Ahhhhh …

All steps lead to serendipity at the dock. Somehow, it’s there that the sun always seems to shine, casting tall dream-fetcher shadows that lead the way to goodness in every niche — from crusty little washed-up crustaceans to river rocks, oyster shells and the end of the fishing line.

It’s always in with a high tide of happiness nestled in the smallest of things at the dock — even some seaweed and a dead crab.

Then there are the footprints left behind. Kids’ feet, gulls’ claws, parents’ prints. All signs that all came together, each in his own walk and way, in search of the same sunshine and chase of what’s at the end of the good shadows — the stark peace, a piece of home.

Remember your dock walk and exhale with a smile. Get a glimpse of ours in the photo gallery above (Click on one photo to enlarge and scroll. Enjoy!).

When you’re done with your dock walk, take a look at what’s in store with this week’s locals’ summer weather, according to the National Weather Service. There’s still some sun left to soak up …

— Photos/Elaine Van Develde for R-FH Retro exclusively

Focus: Sea Bright Sunrise on Locals’ Summer

A Sea Bright beach stroll at sunrise
Photo/Jo Ann Slocum Mazzucca

That new day has dawned. It’s officially locals’ summertime in the Rumson-Fair Haven area.

Call it that back-to-school nap time respite for the Jersey Shore kid in all. Pull out the mat and hit the beach time. Inhale the scene’s solace. Exhale the power in its beauty.

The return of some solitude and quiet savoring of the sunrise on a pristine beach in Sea Bright encapsulates the mood. After a flurry of a Labor Day weekend, down came the rain and washed the bustle away.

Up came the sun … and dried up all the crowd overload. Ahhhhh …

Welcome, locals’ summer!

The sun has risen for the inaugural locals’ weekend. Here’s the weather forecast for the Rumson-Fair Haven area from the National Weather Service …

** Thanks to RFHer and Rumson-raised Jo Ann Slocum Mazzucca for this glimpse into a mesmerizing sunrise in Sea Bright. Oh, and that’s her husband in the solo walk shot. **

Sunrise in Sea Bright
Photo/Jo Ann Slocum Mazzucca

Focus: Setting Sail from the Fair Haven Dock

The weather outside is a lot less frightful. Looks like we’re setting sail for a little summer cruise into more comfortable days in the Rumson-Fair Haven area.

And there’s nothing to soothe the soul better than some smooth sailing river time.

Sails up. Sail on. And exhale …

Be sure to click on one photo to enlarge, scroll and enjoy the view!

Here’s the better outlook weather forecast from the National Weather Service heading into the weekend for the Rumson-Fair Haven area …

Focus: Sea Bright Coolness Tide Ride

It’s all about letting the sun and surf shine, and scorch a little, these summer days. And there’s nothing better to take the heat off while soaking the goodness of it all up than a cool ride with the tide along a Sea Bright beach.

The scene is a reminder that the boon of the ocean’s refreshing roar is a mainstay respite, a bigger and brighter beacon that overshadows any sliver of scald.

A bit of relief has come from the sun, and the beach always beckons with cooler days of comfort ahead.

In other words, the heat wave has lifted. Phew. Better days under the sun are ahead. Take in the view, feel the relief and check out the weather forecast, from the National Weather Service, below …

Sun and surf up!

The weather forecast for the Rumson-Fair Haven area through the weekend from the National Weather Service …

Focus: Throwing Some Sunny Shade in Sea Bright

The scorcher of a weather week in the Rumson-Fair Haven area has had most locals headed to the Sea Bright beaches’ promise of that solace by the sea they know so well. Yet, they’re seeking shelter from the sun under that old umbrella of tradition.

It’s a dichotomy — seeking out the sun-drenched hot with a cool wave view — but one that makes sense to a local. The beach, any Sea Bright beach, not “the shore,” is the only place to be for a local in the summer — and beyond, really.

It’s the only way to stay cool in more ways than one. So, if you can’t get there and tradition beckons, the glimpse is here. (Just click on one of the photos in the above gallery to enlarge and scroll.)

And check out the weather forecast from the National Weather Service. The heat advisory continues through 8 p.m. tonight. The rest of the week? Well, let’s hope the advisory is truly lifted after 8.

Focus: Balmy, Palmy Sea Bright Surf & Skyline

There’s nothing quite like seeing the New York skyline as if it’s in the palm of your Sea Bright beach.

And it is, even though the palm trees aren’t indigenous to Sea Bright by a long shot — and a lot longer than the distance to that skyline. But, whatever works to bring the Sea Bright locals’ scene into perspective.

What works is taking the time to take in the view of what’s surrounding you on a summer’s day. It’s what’s home to and in the heart of those in the Rumson-Fair Haven area every day. From the sand to the surf to the palms to the skyline, there’s always something new in the view — something to savor. Something to make you exhale, knowing that you’re home.

Take it all in. Find the subtle differences in perspective. Find the little things. See what matters in the big picture. Exhale the comfort of home.

Enjoy the view, click to enlarge one photo and scroll for the full picture. Find those little things and find out what’s in store this weekend and into next week with the area weather, courtesy of the National Weather Service …

— Photos/Elaine Van Develde exclusively for R-FH Retro

Focus: Taking a Summer Stand in Sea Bright

Sometimes you just have to take a stand — one to guard your life in a special way. The notion holds true especially in the summertime in Sea Bright.

When a beautiful summer’s day winds down, the scene become serene and the view clearer from the mind’s eye, no matter where you’re looking. From an abandoned lifeguard stand, it’s just all the sweeter a sight — as far as the New York skyline or as close as the shoreline and some child’s play or local scene home-in with a content sigh.

Taking a stand to take in all that’s home and a beach always gives perspective. Taking it in with ease and awe makes the sigh all the more grateful.

So, take a stand with us and take in the view — grande and microcosmic, there’s something to see and sigh for in every corner. Ahhhhh … That’s summer life that’s a beach in the heart of the Rumson-Fair Haven area kid.

Click on one photo to enlarge and scroll. Enjoy!

—Photos/Elaine Van Develde exclusively for R-FH Retro

The view will remain clear for days now … until Saturday’s rain. Take a look at the week’s weather forecast from the National Weather Service …

Focus: Lighting the Way to Riverfront Dock Days

Rain, rain, go away. Bring us back to spring dock days.

It’s downright dank these early days in spring. But, there’s always a little hope in the usual Fair Haven Dock scene summoning some spring sun, making the old comfort niche all the more cozy.

Until then, which according to the weather forecast is very soon, we can always daydream of great dock days with an embracing look at the riverfront that always welcomes us like an old friend.

So, open the door, have a seat and welcome your familiar riverfront dock scene for a little comfort and slice of home. It’s the best reminder that the sun will always shine on the power of place.

Click on one photo to enlarge, scroll and enjoy!

— Photos/Elaine Van Develde exclusively for R-FH Retro

Now, here’s that weather forecast heading into the weekend and the promise of some sun from the National Weather Service