A Perfect Beach Day - Fulfills Exercise 13

Seaside Park, would have to be, in my mind one of the nicest beach towns in New Jersey. And please, don't get it confused with Seaside Heights. We are nothing like the Jersey Shore or any of the people from there. Not even in the tiniest bit.

The truck graveyard

The Fourth of July has always been our big holiday. Every year, our family, and two other families get together down at the beach. We spend the day there and shoot off fireworks to cap of the day.

Our ride starts out different than most people's drive to the shore. We pass what my brother calls the "wild cows" and what could only be describes as a truck graveyard.

Ocean Spray

Drive down the road a little way and you notice that there is a logo you would recognize. Ocean Spray. New Jersey's Pine Barren region is famous for their cranberries and every September there is a cranberry festival. That is why some of the cranberry farms in New Jersey are highly sought out by people who make cranberry juice. This one, happens to be one of the growers for Ocean Spray.

Continuing down a long country road, you finally end up back in civilization. You're in Lakehurst, the New Jersey town most famous for being the crash site of the Hindenberg in the 1920s. Eventually, Route 37 turns into Route 35 and you're on the island that is home to some of the big time North Jersey BEach towns like Seaside Heights, Seaside Park, Lavallette and Ortley Beach.

Our Stop, 11th Lane in Seaside Park. To say the house sticks out like a sore thumb would have to be an understatement considering it is the only bright purple house on the block. Or anywhere in the area for that matter. None of the houses are huge, but it doesn't really matter because what's important is being on the beach and spending time with family and friends.

Mema & Grandjim's house

We have our usual "beach meal" of hoagies before heading out to the beach. The sand was the hottest thing I had ever felt in my life. Walking on that sand almost felt like you were walking on the surface of the sun itself. I wouldn't have been surprised if it was so hot you could cook an egg in it. I wouldn't advise eating the egg you cooked because it would probably have some sand on it.

Out on the beach there was a sea of people. I was shocked because that day was supposed to be almost 100 degrees outside. I could only imagine what the people farther south had to deal with.

The beach was scorching but the cool water ( about 75 degrees) made it a little bit more bearable. During the day I did my best to stay in the water just so that I would know that I was staying cool. In order to do that I tried my hand at Skim Boarding, Long Boarding and Ocean Kayaking, in addition to just swimming with family friends and all my cousins. In my own opinion, I would have to say I was relatively successful considering the circumstances. I didn't completely fail at any of the new things I tried, I just had one mishap with the ocean kayak and that was more my dad's fault than mine. After I tipped the Kayak he tried to wrangle it in and ended up hitting me in the knee with it. I ended up with a battle wound, a nice bruise, but that was about it.

The other thing about that day was the new spectacle of my cousins new puppy. He is named Chase. I really couldn't tell you what kind of dog he is, I have to imagine he is some kind of mutt. Everyone wanted to play with him and I don't think that dog got put down for more than five minutes. The only time he got a chance to run around on his own he ran into the ocean and got knocked over by a wave because he is so little. He loved the water though. My dad and my cousin's fiancé even put the puppy on a boogie board in the ocean just to see what it would do. Only in my family.

The newest addition to our large family, the little Chase

Drinking on the beach and spending time with family and friends highlights my summer days. While I am back in school I would give almost anything to have this kind of day back. I can't wait till my cousin's wedding on the 21st when we can all get together again. This time in Minnesota. I hope they're ready for my entire crazy family.