AuntyLynn
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 35938
posted
Asbury is under the Ocean County section.
We have very fond memories of Island Beach State Park. As a displaced New Englander, it's the one Jersey beach I have seen that most resembles the Cape Cod shoreline.
IMHO, if Mr. Christie were SMART, he'd take this opportunity to make the Jersey Shore more "public" - like the California coastline.
Since a lot of the "honky tonk" boardwalk scene has been washed away ... why not EXPAND the stretch to be more like a State Preserve? ... something like Island Beach State Park? (Just south of Seaside Park/Heights.)
It would mean a much lower investment (that will only be placed at risk in the next storm), and more natural shoreline for "public access!" In fact, Island Beach State Park is so popular now, that the last two times we tried to visit (on a summer Saturday), the 2 parking lots were filled by 10:00 AM, and we were denied entry.
We were bitterly disappointed, after our 2 hour drive on the Garden State summer Parking Lot!
Then, we were fleeced for a "beach badge" at a neighboring town beach - whose "bouncers" made us leave our coolers near their checkpoint in the dunes. (Which diminished our enjoyment - to have to walk back for a cold drink or a sandwich!)
In California, it is STATE LAW that NO ONE CAN BUILD within (about) 100 yards of the coastline. This means anyone could walk freely along the water, conceivably from San Francisco to San Diego if they wanted to - as the shoreline is considered "public property."
This struck me as an amazing concept; one that greatly enhanced my vision of California!
There, if you want amusement rides and honky tonk games, you go to an amusement park - and the peace and beauty of the shoreline is not sullied. (By sights and smells I shouldn't describe, that are commonly found at the "Jersey Shore." Sorry, but I gotta tell it like it is.)
Misquamicut Beach in Westerly Rhode Island had the same kind of atmosphere, years ago; until the Hurricane of '55 washed all that flotsam away. The State declared public sovereignty, and built a huge modern bathhouse with a snack bar, and an enormous parking lot. You could rent picnic tables by the hour (free of charge - just reserve) that were perched atop the dunes.
Misquamicut State Beach was the "go to" place for a lot of New Englanders in the days of my childhood - an inexpensive 'family place' - and it is still just as beautiful today. If you want to take a short hike down the surfline, you can still find a bar, or a shoreline dinner, an historic merry-go-round, and a ferris wheel or bumper cars; but this area is sequestered out of earshot, from those who just want to soak up some sun and the surf.
I think that with the growing population of the tri-state area, the Jersey Legislature and local shoreline townships would do very well to consider this type of option. Expand the recreational opportunities, and State revenue, without displacing businesses that could still operate beyond the dunes. Just my 2 cents.
Posts: 1432 | From New Jersey | Registered: Jan 2012
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beaches
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 38251
posted
Aunty Lynn, since you're talking about beaches, I just have to chime in LOL. I love love love beaches.
I have been to so many all along the east coast as well as those in CA, HI and the Caribbean. So yeah, I'm an authority according to me
I do think Gov. Christie is smart. I personally think he did the right thing by NJ and don't understand whatsoever the criticism directed his way from his party by appropriately acknowledging the President for his help. And gotta give him credit for stating that he has direct access to the Democratic prez. That's the way it SHOULD BE in a disaster of this magnitude.
I found Christie's reaction to the devastation in his state to be sincere and heartfelt. When he was in Seaside he looked at a ride and made a remark that he had gone on it with one of his kids this past summer. It was obviously a somewhat emotional moment for him. Cuomo on the other hand, well don't even get me started (``I'm from a place called Queens and there's a place called Brooklyn...'' Yeah, because no one's ever heard of those places).
I enjoyed reading your memories about Island Beach State Park in NJ and Misquamicut Beach in RI. It reminded me of similar memories of mine at Rockaway Beach and Jones Beach in NY and Wildwood Crest in NJ.
I am off-put by beach tag fees. But then again, I'm not totally opposed to paying a modest parking fee to gain entrance to an awesome beach.
I have always loved the honky-tonk dives, the old merry-go-rounds, the custard places, the hot-dog dives, the boardwalk rides and games, despite the ripoffs (but I beat them EVERY single time in that balloon dart game as well as the ``guess-my-age'' game-HA!).
As for beaches, I will tell you that ``The Hamptons'' in NY is the most boring place for middle-class people, maybe b/c most people are not invited to the infamous parties.
We stayed there a few years ago for a few days. I refused to pay $30 for a plate of pasta. I calculated the boxes of pasta I could buy and cook for 30 bucks and could not justify ordering anything on the menu. Hubs was a bit mortified but he's used to me by now.
The Hamptons do not have a boardwalk to speak of or any honky-tonk rides or games. It's boring and bland! This ia not the Jersey Shore!
Oh and you will surely read about those great Hampton beaches. I'm here to tell you that the surf there is very rough and the water is very cold. No boogy-boarding there for my kids and no walks on a calm beach. Plus you'll have to pay for the privilege of putting your foot on the sand. Thanks, but no thanks.
As for CA, the beaches consist of mud from SF to LA pretty much. We drove down the coast from SF to LA years ago. I was so very underwhelmed by Monterey and Carmel, which I did not expect at all. The best thing we saw was the Mission in Carmel. We stayed at a place in Pismo Beach. The hotel was magnificent. Me, the beach person, investigated Pismo Beach. I had to go down numerous steps. The beach was basically mud. Very few people were on this so-called beach. The water was too cold and too rough.
As we continued our drive down the coast we wanted to see Malibu. I can't even begin to tell you how unimpressed I was. I expected to be blown away, given the media coverage of Malibu. I'd sooner stay in a Motel 6 on any Interstate. It was that bad.
But the beaches in San Diego are so good! One of my best memories is of my family gathering there. San Diego is one of my favorite cities. If I could relocate, I'd move there in a minute.
We used to go to Cape Cod every year. I so enjoyed the shops in Hyannis and all the little antique stores along 35. Hubby and the kids enjoyed the bumper cars and I relish the memories of seeing my then two-year-old jumping happily away on the in-ground indoor trampolines.
And Chatham, we loved going there too to just walk around and explore the shops. I got tired of not having the kids being able to boogie board in the harsh ocean beaches of Cape Cod.
And as for Hawaii, nothing in the Caribbean can match it IMO.
We've been to Myrtle Beach and Charleston and loved both cities. But they're way too humid for our taste.
We've been to Ocean City, Maryland too, and my initial thought was that it was Manhattan on the beach.
But getting back to home and reality, I will say that the Wildwoods and Cape May in NJ are my favorite beaches hands-down. What's not to like?
Posts: 1885 | From here | Registered: Jul 2012
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AuntyLynn
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 35938
posted
I agree with you regarding Govna Christie and the Storm ... He and the Prez got a handle on it RIGHT AWAY as far as I could see, and it was really refreshing to see a little "bipartisan cooperation" for a change - as was absolutely necessary to respond to the needs of so many thousands who were displaced or without life's basics. No doubt he has an emotional connection with the Jersey shore as it was... and I'm sure thousands here feel the same way. But to me, that kind of carnival entertainment is a little sleazy. OK a merry-go-round or ferris wheel for the kids - but do we really need hawkers touting dime store prizes when we're walking along the beach? I sure don't. I'd far prefer to wander through the shops at Chatham or Nantucket Town on a warm summer's night, and maybe stop for an ice-cream sundae in a tall glass. But hey, that's me.
As for Mr. Christie's political critics, well - what else can we expect from that crowd?
I've been to Hawaii too (Oahu) - thought the sunshine, the daily rainbows as well as the forests were fabulous - the color of the water "Blue Hawaii" is certainly no exaggeration - breathtaking! But I was not so impressed with the beach at Waikiki, as the surf breaks too far out and rolls in as foam - not the best for someone who LOVES to body surf! But my climb up the side of Paradise Falls was something I will remember all my life ... as well as a private dip in the icy pool beneath it.
As far as my Carribean travels ...
Bermuda was lovely but a little too stuffy. Got stung by a jellyfish tentacle walking the edge of the water on one of their famous "pink sand beaches" - which kinda put a damper on the afternoon. (Great freeport shopping though.)
Aruba was perhaps a bit underdeveloped when I saw it. The water was a lovely aquamarine, but too still for any fun - and the sand so sugary fine, it just got everywhere. Other than that, it was little more than a barren goat hill with a few casinos.
But lovely Antiqua - that would be my pick for a return trip, any time. Enough deep blue surf to make things interesting, on uncrowded expanses with perfect sunshine for bronzing ... and a British historical heritage that made for some interesting sidetrips. Natives were highly devout, and very friendly. A glass-bottomed boat/snorkel trip offered amazing interaction with tropical fish - and my first taste of 151 rum "punch" that had potential for lethal.
Haven't set foot on the northern Cali beaches. But San Francisco, IMHO is the most beautiful American City I have ever seen.
However, the Orange County Parks (south of L.A.) of "Beach Boys" surfing fame, were VERY impressive to me! Plenty of soft sand and Huge waves that even set this New England girl on her guard a bit ... but the weekday crowd there was friendly and helpful, and I'd go back in a New York minute.
As for the south shore areas of Jersey - we did North Wildwood, and didn't see the attraction at all. The water was a quarter mile from the boardwalk! We liked Avalon for the beach, but it was quite a drive from our B&B and since it is so far out in the ocean, the water was cold. We thought Cape May was picturesque, with its street after street of well kept Victorian Homes, but it didn't exactly seem like a great beach destination.
Cape Cod is visually breathtaking. And the National Shoreline that runs the final sweeping arm of the Cape, from its elbow at Chatham and the Monomoy Islands, is exactly the kind of preservation we should be doing for ALL of our National Parks. You can drive for miles and see dune after pristine dune in the distance, with the sparkling Atlantic just beyond. It is absolutely gorgeous! And one might imagine that the Pilgrims thought they had reached the promised land, when they first sailed into Cape Cod Bay. Yes, the water IS COLD, even in August - but that's why the seals like to hang out there! So if you want to do some serious swimming, you need to pick a spot along the Nantucket Sound, where the water is warmed in the "bath tub" of the bay.
My biggest beef with the Cape is that you can't get dinner Anywhere there, after 9:00 PM! This seemed ridiculous to metropolitan folks who come from the land of the all-night diner! But apparently this schedule fits the local "family values" and gets their college-aged summer help home at a "decent" time. But if you think you can linger over a summer sunset at the Three Sisters Lighthouse, then grab a plate of fried clams ... fogeddaboutit.
I was blessed to have spent more than my fair share of time on Nantucket Island - and always will hold the memories of that beautiful place tucked deep within my heart, 'til my final dream.
[ 11-10-2012, 11:13 AM: Message edited by: AuntyLynn ]
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