I’ve never understood why, but in New Jersey, they go down the shore. In neighboring states, Maryland and Delaware, they go to the beach. But not here, here they go down the shore. Pete spent a few summers down the shore. I always went to the beach. Pete and I just spent a week in Jersey, down the shore – Sea Isle City, for those of you who know the Jersey Shore. Our time here didn’t start out as a vacation, but it quickly turned into one. We had plans to see sights, and we decided to cancel them all. It was a glorious vacation week. Weather was perfect. We went to the beach, went to the beach again, and, oh, yes, we went to the beach. Damn it – SHORE! We went to the SHORE! I’ll never get used to saying that!
We ate well too. Soft shells. Hard shells. Crab cakes. Crab dip. Crab balls. (Do crabs have balls? I ask that every time! It just makes me laugh!) We’re back in the land of Wawa & Rita’s. You remember how I love both Wawa & Rita’s! Who doesn’t?!? Jersey corn. Jersey tomatoes. Pete got his favorite Jersey Shore summer ice cream sandwich made with Belgian waffles and dusted with powder sugar. We devoured some Dolle’s Salt Water Taffy. Breakfast included scrapple, of course.
We drove the Atlantic City Expressway, the Garden State Parkway and the New Jersey Turnpike! A trifecta!
We got to see Pete’s best friend and his wife. These two guys have been friends for 50 years! We also got to spend time with Pete’s son.
Since my summers were spent on the Delaware beaches (there is no shore in Delaware, plenty of beaches, though), we rode the Cape May – Lewes Ferry so I could enjoy a beach day in Bethany with a quick stop in Rehoboth. Pete gets the “Mary Gravelle Bethany Beach Historical Tour” every time we go there! I had my first birthday there, and a heck of a lot more after that! That town has certainly changed over six decades, but being there brings back wonderful memories.
Today we leave the Jersey Shore behind. We’re glad we got down the shore. The t-shirts tell me “It’s a shore thing”. It certainly is, because “It’s a beach thing” isn’t as cute on a t-shirt!
We’re on the road to Maryland now and have a busy sightseeing schedule planned. Baltimore. Annapolis. DC. We’re excited. We love these cities.
The area looks so nice. What a lovely vacay. I love crab so I would have been in heaven! I’m very glad you had the wonderful weather.
Us too! It was a lovely week of beach days and crab dinners! Hope you are doing well.
Never understood the short thing either…however did yoh know that once they’re there, they c All it the beach…at least my Jersey friends did….they go down the shore (where’s the to?) but once there they’re at the beach….makes no sense…and why we always got along so well, smart minds think alike 🤔 ..I went to the beach too!
And I remember our time at Bethany Beach with your parents and Micheal after our amazing European tour! And M’lissa maybe?
Great memories….glad you cancelled your plans and enjoyed the week! Vacation With great 50 year long friends…doesn’t happen often and .nothing like it !
Cheers 🥂
And safe travels to DC! 💜
I remember our time together at Bethany too. It is part of the “Mary Gravelle Bethany Beach Historical Tour”. Remember those bikinis we bought in Monoco – we never tried on the tops until we got to Bethany ….. 🙂
Been to Jersey a lot but only off the Newark, Heightstown and Princeton exits where my Grandmother and Aunt and Uncle lived. Though I do have a vague childhood memory of a boardwalk and taffy by the beach… sorry “shore!”
Feels like I missed a lot and should go back for some crab balls and ice cream sandwiches!
Happy trails!
J
Those places are way up north in Jersey! Next time you’re out this way, try the shore. It really is beautiful. The beaches (at least where we were) are long and flat and very few shells/rocks, so easy to walk miles and miles!
I absolutely love the pic of your shadow!!!
I’m thankful that you are so blessed.
Stay safe.
Stay healthy.
Stay happy!!!
We are most blessed to have you as a friend. Hope you and Hugh are doing great.
Mary Elizabeth, I have zero desire to RV, but reading this blog this morning makes me rethink my position. It just sounds way to cool to go down the shore or even up the beach! RV and all! Love your blog! ❤️❤️❤️
Hey Mary Helen! Maybe you don’t need an RV, maybe you just need a beach vacation. The desert is dry, you need to float in some water and listen to the waves crash! Congrats on your marriage. So exciting! Wish I could be in Tucson to help you celebrate. Miss you.
Love your recap and agree with your friend. You do down the shore,but once your there, you to the beach. (Where the sand and ocean are)
Enjoy your next few states. You’ve had one heck of a summe.😊💕
HI Beth. I still find it confusing, but I also enjoy saying “down the shore”, it makes me smile! Hope you are having a great end to the summer and ready for fall.
WOW!WOW!WOW! Good for you guys taken a VACAY!
Be. safe out there!
I feel like we spend every day on vacation, but sometimes it seems we need a vacation from vacationing! Hope your trip is going spendidly!