53 reasons why i love summer in new jersey
by carol van houten


originally published
june 21, 2002

on the boardwalk, point pleasant, nj

This picture means Summer for me: on the boardwalk in Point Pleasant, NJ.

I am happy to report that it is Summer in New Jersey, my favorite time of year in my favorite place. Truly there is no better time to visit our wonderful state. Get ideas here:

New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry

Here is my list of 53 Reasons Why I Love Summer In New Jersey (in no particular order.) Enjoy.

  1. crickets, cicadas, and fireflies
  2. ice cream dripping on a picnic table
  3. the morning coolness
  4. the evening light
  5. purple sunsets at cape may point
  6. friday night fireworks at point pleasant beach
  7. skipping work to cruise to the shore
  8. night swimming in a moonlit backyard pool followed by
  9. cold beers and Scrabble around the picnic table
  10. July 4th soap box derby in Washington, NJ
  11. sleeveless flowing summer dresses
  12. sandals and outrageous toenail polish
  13. sudden thunderstorms down the shore, watching lightning from the beach, streaks of white in a green gray sky above a tormented blue black ocean
  14. raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, cranberries, watermelon
  15. arts and crafts fairs
  16. classic car shows in johnson park, new brunswick
  17. sandy hook via ferry, bikes in tow
  18. point pleasant boardwalk
  19. trespassing in spring lake to photograph the houses
  20. everything about island beach state park
  21. bike rides in liberty state park after work -- because it's still light out
  22. all the shore towns you can reach by train: belmar, spring lake, bradley beach, asbury park, point pleasant, manasquan, bay head
  23. the tiny, tiny little cottages of lavallette
  24. always feeling warm, the fan's constant hum
  25. the long summer nights when the sun takes forever to set
  26. drinks outside the Hard Grove Cafe
  27. cruising LBI's main drag, especially in a convertible
  28. everything about Beach Haven
  29. breakfast at the Mad Batter, Cape May, NJ
  30. impromptu roof parties
  31. my NYC friends finally agreeing to visit -- "if we go down the shore!"
  32. seasonal hair blonding
  33. that first summer visit to the shore, preferably with nieces and nephews in tow, to hear them scream with glee at the ocean
  34. that first salt taste of the ocean
  35. seeig dolphins playing in the waves off Cape May
  36. peaches; soft, warm, and fuzzy
  37. Rt. 36 going north at 9 pm on a Sunday night (just kidding)
  38. tour of Somerville Bike Race
  39. outdoors concerts NJ Symphony Orchestra
  40. buying Jersey corn from roadside vendors
  41. the Summer rain hot pavement smell
  42. being outside as much as possible
  43. walking tours of Jersey City with my history friends
  44. staying up late just because it's so warm and light outside
  45. walks to nowhere
  46. watching the tide come in
  47. watching the sunrise at the shore over the ocean
  48. Italian ices, good humor man
  49. park swings
  50. day trips
  51. biking on the Delaware Raritan Canal towpath
  52. traipsing to Flemington, Lambertville, or Frenchtown
  53. blasting Springsteen on the stereo
--cvh

jersey city avenue, lavallette, nj

Jersey City Avenue, in Lavallette, NJ.


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