This long in the game of life I have pretty much given up caring about lots of stuff. I don’t care about recycling. I’ve read studies about the positive and the absolutely useless effect of doing so (this graphic novel is a startling great read on the subject, in fact. all of Derf Backderf’s work is pretty great). I don’t give a toss about any new music. And God knows, I don’t care which of our present US Presidential candidates wins the big circus prize (and if you are somebody special and has threatened to leave the country if she or he wins, have at it I say, although I suspect you won’t be moving any place anytime soon no matter the outcome). I don’t care about what animal is extinct (like that was ever my problem to worry about or anything I could have done anything about) or what my carbon footprint is (I wear an 11 and 1/2 shoe, is that particularly large print?). And when it comes to global warming, bring it on.
Actually, when it comes to global warming, if it was responsible for the unseasonably warm wonderful weather we just had, then definitely bring it on I say!
Just this week my girl treated me to a few days down the old Jersey shore because of the weather and my upcoming b’day and I have to tell you, once again, Jersey surprised me. And I have been living here a very long time (which makes me old enough to feel the way I say I do in the first paragraph). Lo and behold, we experienced Sea Bright!
What a strip of a beach town! What a nice mellow slice of our shoreline. Now, granted, we were visiting off-season, so I can’t rightly say what the place is like in the dead of summer. But the cute little burb off Rte. 36, a mere stone’s throw from Sandy Hook, really wowed.
From the places we ate: Tommy’ Tavern a huge ‘sports bar, but so much more, with an expansive menu, multiple rooms (one a back area that opens into what must serve as quite the bustling backyard area in-season, adjacent to the Navesink River). It’s even got Guinness on tap and lots of parking. Anjelica’s Restaurant was our nighttime romantic Italian food spot. I can’t say enough about the waitstaff here, the cozy little alleyway table area…and the homemade food. Wow. Another killer place to eat. I grabbed some subs from “Sonny’s Sandwich Shop” which is part of GIGI’S NY STYLE PIZZA, and lastly, the Irish-infused fare and vibe we enjoyed (with great coffee and a great Jersey waitress) at Alice’s Kitchen, Tuesday before we left to come back up north.
Monday, our beach day, we plopped ourselves down on the sand for the entire day. How’s that for global warming paying benefits? I joke I joke (global warming is a serious matter kids, great warm weather or not).
On the way back, running back up north 36 we took two quick stops (one an actual Quick Stop) paying homage to Kevin Smith. Smith took over ownership of the Atlantic Highlands movie theater, which is now called Smodcastle Cinemas (see the picture here) and another four minutes down the road is the original Quick Stop convenience store where Smith’s first movie Clerks took place.
So, all in all, a nice few day getaway, beautiful pre-b’day present, super dooper great time at a super dooper place with the one person who can make is that super dooper.
In Sea Bright. Amazing
