Down The Shore

I wanted to take a moment to share with you all my most recent experiences down the New Jersey Shore. First, I know what you are thinking-the traffic and crowds! After working a long week myself, the very last thing I want to do it sit in traffic for hours, reach my destination, fight for a place to lay my towel and then dread the ride home. Especially when we have so many wonderful parks and lakes up here in northern New Jersey, it is hard to convince yourself to make the trip. Well, hopefully, this will help you realize that your dreams of going to the Jersey Shore this summer and reliving those childhood memories while making some new ones with your kids don't have to be a nightmare!

I have made the drive down five times since Memorial Day weekend. The roads were never so empty. It has been smooth sailing on the Garden State Parkway every single trip. These were all impromptu Saturday mornings aside from one, which was a Sunday afternoon, where we left our Bloomingdale home at 2:30 p.m. These have all been day trips and the ride to and from has not once exceeded 1.5 hours either way (even driving the speed limit and paying tolls without EZ Pass). I should clarify: I have been going to Belmar and Point Pleasant because of the "family friendly" environment you get there, along with the aquarium, rides and boardwalk for the little ones. I have yet to venture to Seaside Heights this season or any further south.

Don't be fooled by what you see on MTV. Although watching "Jersey Shore" is one of my personal guilty pleasures, I don't see much of that scene on those beaches. So, if you are avoiding the Jersey Shore in fear of running into Snooki and The Situation, you shouldn't worry too much-just try a different beach. There are so many to choose from.

Looking for a little alone time with your friends or loved one? You can do that Point Pleasant as well. While my little one was enjoying a day with her grandparents, I sat beachside, listened to live music and a DJ play a wide variety of summer hits! It is a little romantic getaway that doesn't require packing or cost a fortune. You pay your entrance to the beach and get access to frozen drinks and beverages, food, entertainment and  it's all served beachside. There's even palm trees-real living palm trees. They actually look like they are growing right out of the sand which can't possibly be, can it? Not in New Jersey, right? But there they are, beautiful palm trees.

Whatever it is you are doing this summer, I wish you all safe travels and some good rest and relaxation! As for me, you can find me "down the shore."