JERSEY SHORE

No, I'm not talking about the MTV reality show which showcases invading New Yorkers behaving badly at Seaside Heights—continuing to malign New Jersey’s identity. To me, the Jersey Shore is 127 miles of white sand beaches and barrier islands dotted with a variety of resort communities, each catering to a specific community that faithfully returns to their favorite locale, like migrating birds have done for millennium.

The last days of August are when I make my annual return.  This pattern begins when I notice earlier sunsets and High pressure fronts that clear and cool the heat of summer.  I then realize that I haven't been to the Shore all season and I make a mad dash to grasp the last beautiful days summer.  It also helped to have NJ Tourism call me and ask if I had any new Shore pictures to show them.

Early Saturday morning, I began my Shore pilgrimage to LBI, driving north on Long Beach Boulevard sharing the road with many bicyclists and joggers in Harvey Cedars and Loveladies on to my first stop, Barnegat Lighthouse State Park.  The lighthouse was not yet open, so I walked along the jetty all the way to it’s end where the ocean’s cross currents have menaced sailors for over 400 years.  The name Barnegat comes from the Dutch “barende-gat” which loosely translates to inlet of breaker waves.

Numerous fishing boats— large and small and colorful jet-skis hurried past me through the choppy inlet to enjoy their day on the Atlantic.  Across the waterway, I could see numerous vehicles and fishermen lining the southern point of Island Beach State Park.

I was in search of a wildlife and new angles to photograph Old Barney’s red and tower illuminated in the morning sun.  I enjoyed close sightings of sanderlings, gulls and ruddy turnstones which didn’t seem to fear my presence.  Pelicans and cormorants also crossed overhead.

After spending about two hours in the dunes, I returned to my car and enjoyed lunch which consisted of three Jersey tomatoes that I brought from my garden (along with a paring knife and salt shaker).

I ventured north to the next barrier island to visit Seaside Heights, curious to see how the reality show has changed that community.  I parked in a municipal lot and filled a meter with 8 quarters (10 minutes per quarter!) before realizing that the meter was broken and I had to move to a new spot.  In the harsh mid-day light I planned to do a brisk walk along the boardwalk grabbing some beach and amusement images.  I had only 4 quarters remaining for the new meter which would cover a 40-minute dash onto the boardwalk.  45 minutes later I rushed back to car to find a bicycle-riding meter man leaving my Blazer with a $45!!! overtime parking ticket on the window.
  
"Have a nice day, sir!" he sneeringly said as he pedaled down Ocean Terrace. 

I restrained my internal reaction and silently vowed to share my “situation” with as many people possible, encouraging them NOT to bother stopping at this “Jersey Shore” shakedown—stay away from Seaside Heights ...it's not worth it!  


After that bad experience, I needed a change of scenery and attitude adjustment so I drove northward along the coast to a favorite location—Manasquan, where I often enjoy photographing surfers and vicariously share their experience through my lens.

The late afternoon light was fantastic as I joined a circling band of cars, each trying to get lucky in finding a parking spot.  Twenty minutes flew by and no luck was with me, yet I was determined NOT to allow my parking ticket episode ruin my day and I persisted until a spot was finally found.

Throughout the year, I often checked SURFLINE' for surf conditions and to check their webcam.  This summer was common to read that the sea was flat and surfing conditions were poor.  I was hopeful that offshore Hurricane Danielle would provide some good action.  As I walked out onto the jetty I could feel my mood change.  The surfers were out in number and although conditions were generally glassy, there were intermittent sets of intense waves (thanks to Danielle!) that provided great shooting and created exactly the Jersey Shore experience that I was looking for.


MANASQUAN SURF 10  Gallery
JERSEY SHORE 10  Gallery