Monday, July 26, 2010

The Jersey Shore minus Snooki and The Situation

Okay I don't even really know what those nicknames mean but I've managed to work them into the conversation a few times this weekend. For the record, I like some reality programming but Jersey Shore? um, no. Anyway, Saturday hubs and I decided to brave the Garden State Parkway and spend the day at 'the shore'. Or as I like to call it, 'the beach'. We only live about an hour and a half from the shore (I can't help it...something about blogging from NJ forces the word shore as opposed to beach into my brain and onto my blog).

Let's begin again, shall we?

We are not far in miles from THE BEACH but a little something called 'shore traffic' does stand between us and the crashing surf. We left the house at 8 am and had our toes in the sand by 9:45. Not bad. Did I mention it was in the 90's with a heat index over 100 degrees? What is a heat index anyway? Whatever it is I know its nothing good when it arches over 100 degrees. Fortunately it was really breezy sitting in a beach chair facing the Atlantic Ocean. Normally I don't even put my big toe in the water at the 'Jersey Shore' because even at the end of one of the hottest Julys on record the water is still icy cold. Saturday was so hot that icy cold actually felt pretty good.


There were some awesome waves too...maybe not awesome like Hawaii surf conditions awesome but still really good waves for body surfing. Hubs spent a lot of time in the waves. I spent most of my time reading in my beach chair which is my most favorite of all pastimes.

If all you know of the Jersey Shore is what you've seen on a questionable television program of the same name then you might be surprised by the loveliness of Spring Lake. (Hello NJ Dept. of Tourism. I'm back with more free advertising.) There are some gorgeous homes in Spring Lake and I'm pretty sure I would love to have a beach house there. It's a quiet town but you can always drive up or down the 'shore' a town or two if you feel the need for anything more entertaining than the ocean.

Speaking of the ocean...what is up with people loudly making and taking business calls while standing on the beach??? On a Saturday no less. We saw this in Marco Island too so its not a 'Jersey Shore' thing. I think its more of a 21st century thing. Hey, its the ocean people! One of the most awesome displays of God's power and creativity we have here on earth. Put down the phone for goodness sakes! If you don't you may very well end up on a stranger's blog.


Just sayin'.

One thing about NJ beaches...they are crowded. As in lots of people. Lots and lots of people. NJ is a tiny state but it is packed with people. And cars. And taxes but that's a post for another day. Anyway, I think the fact that Spring Lake doesn't have all the arcades and amusement park rides and casinos, etc. that some of the other shore towns have are what has allowed it to remain a little less crazy. Which is how I like my beach towns.

We found a parking space without any trouble in a beautiful neighborhood only one block from the beach. There's not a lot of town to Spring Lake, mostly pretty neighborhoods, some restaurants, the ocean of course and also, a lake. Hence the name-Spring Lake. I would love to have a beach house someday but it's pretty safe to say that as lovely as Spring Lake is my future beach house will not be in The Garden State (Hello NJ Dept. of Taxation. I blame you.)

Spring Lake did make for a a wonderful day out...we soaked up the sun, had a nutritious and delicious hot dog on the boardwalk, drank our body weight in water (did I mention it was HOT?), and did lots of people watching because truly, is there anyplace better for people watching than the beach? When we headed for home close to 6 PM it was still 100 degrees. Literally. At 6 o'clock in the evening.

We have a few busy weekends coming up but we'd love to go back before summer comes to a close. It was the perfect little spot for a day-cation...


Sun, sand, surf.
That's what I think of when I hear the words "Jersey Shore"

19 comments:

  1. This looks like a fun and relaxing day-cation. I'm gonna have to try one of those soon. But it will probably be pool-side somewhere then a lot of air conditioning. ahaha. Have a fabulous week. Blessings, SusanD

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  2. We enjoyed a little sun and sand on Florida's gulf coast this past week! No better summer entertainment!

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  3. What a fun day! Wish I could have gone to the shore/beach with you!

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  4. You're so lucky to have a beach within driving distance. We've had temps over 100 in the past few weeks and the beaches are a loooooong way off. :(

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  5. going to the shore sounds ever so much most pleasant than "goin down ye o-shun"!

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  6. Beautiful! No oceans here for us . . . lots of lakes and rivers though!

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  7. That looks like it was a great little getaway. Sadly that would be my Hubby... on the phone on the sand, poolside, on the tee box, outside the resturant, in the lobby...etc. {sigh} I guess all I can say is at least he's with us and someone has to pay the bills. Ha

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  8. What a wonderful get away! To live that close to the beach would be awesome. My first time seeing the beach was in Florida 4 years ago on our honeymoon. OMG! I loved it and 300 pictures later I still love it!

    until next time... nel

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  9. looks wonderful, you should of went a little south on to Assateague beach, it usually is not real crowded, I so loved it there, and the sand and the sea air, we lived on Chincoteague and had the beautiful Chesapeake Bay across from our house, loved it there and loved the summer. Hugs

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  10. I agree with Mindee. You´re very lucky to have a beach so nearby. Our nearest water is about 4 hours away, and then it´s only a river... Glad you guys were able to soak in some sun and fun. :)

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  11. Oooh, ooh, I have a Jersey shore/beach post to put up hopefully in the not-too-distant future, too. We had a great time at "7 Presidents" in Long Branch~ Exit 105, about 6 miles on Rt. 36 off the Garden State Parkway. I know you know exactly what I mean. :)

    The water was really nice, we found parking right at the beach, they have a food stand, clean restrooms, no boardwalk, etc. You might give that one a try sometime.

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  12. Sounds like a good day, even if it was so hot!

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  13. Sitting on a beach, under an umbrella, with a good book--my kind of day.

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  14. Sitting in a chair, reading a book, or people watching at the beach (or shore)...my kind of day!

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  15. Glad you had such a nice time at the BEACH, despite the high temperatures. It looks pretty there. I love sitting on the beach, reading my book and watching people. Nothing better. Love & blessings from NC!

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  16. When we moved to DC years ago, it drove me insane to hear people say they were going to the shore.

    It's a beach, people.

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  17. You make me *giggle*. The man on the phone? Funny. You posting it on your blog? Hilarious. :)

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  18. Oh, it sounds and looks wonderful, Joyce! Though I would have to use a gallon of sun-block or a really big, heavy umbrella. But sitting there,watching people, reading, dozing, relaxing...sounds marvelous! :-)

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  19. I may have to look up Spring Lake. The beach looks really nice. I like a beach without all the hoopla. Kid's tend to get caught up in all of it forgetting why we went to "the shore."

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