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Whether you grew up there or not most people have heard about the Jersey Shore. Some of the most spectacular beaches in the world with entertainment, great food, drink and of course Jersey folks. As a kid the family would pack up for the summer and rent a house in Bradley Beach, right off the boardwalk. Fun times running around, family, bar-b-ques, my dad and uncles taking the train down on Fridays for the weekend, the sunburns cooled with rags that my grandmother soaked in vinegar laid across our shoulders and of course, the beach and boardwalk. Janet, being a NY girl, had similar summer experiences at Rockaway Beach in Queens, NY until she moved to Jersey as a teen and Bradley Beach and the Jersey Shore became part of her. Going back to Bradley and Asbury Park brought back lots of memories for both of us. We drove the streets we had known looking at the typical Jersey Shore residential architecture along with new builds that had taken over the locations like the Loraine Hotel and many of the shops that we frequented. It is hard to explain the emotion that comes over you as memories of events and people, many of them gone now, flood your head and heart.
We drove through Ocean Grove, or as my grandfather called it, Ocean Grave and on to Asbury Park, just a short ride up the coast. Asbury, that was where the amusement rides and boardwalk food, stands and shops put happy faces on kids and adults alike for decades. Gone is some of the old school charm but a few of the iconic places are still there and thriving. The Stone Pony where Bruce Springsteen first played in 1974, Wonder Bar, the Asbury Park Convention Center where many world-famous music acts graced the stage are still operating. We reminisced about going to a Linda Ronstadt/ Jackson Brown concert at the convention center back in the early 70’s. Janet and I decided to spend the day at the beach before the show that evening and while walking around came across Linda Ronstadt with a few band members getting some sun on blankets in the sand. We went up to her and she graciously engaged us in conversation. Janet told her we were going to the show and wished her well. We were wrapping up our stay in Jersey. It is always a thrill to go “back home”. They say you can take the boy or girl out of Jersey, but you can never take Jersey out of the boy or girl. We have not lived there for many years but what is in our blood can never be purged. It was a pretty easy road trip with the coach and car towed behind up the New Jersey Turnpike and across the Tappan Zee (Mario Cuomo Bridge) into Tarrytown, NY where we spent a magnificent week in Croton on the Hudson. Looking forward to sharing the area with stories and photographs.
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About UsTravel is living life to its fullest. Sharing our journey and adventures create memories that live on as we truly enjoy the passage of time Archives
October 2022
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