Here is what I am going to tell you about my town: no one who lives here goes to the town beach on the weekend. Ever.
You see, our waterfront has boardwalk attractions, so the locals go a little bit north or a little bit south and find a nice quiet bit of sand for a couple of hours of relaxation.
But when dear friends come into town for a very short visit, you simply must do what you have never done…spend an entire Saturday on the Point Pleasant Beach and Boardwalk.
Parking is a nightmare, of course, and the beach is crowded.
The truth, though? It is downright fun.
We go from the beach to the rides and back to the beach again.
Then it is off to Stewart’s for root beer and cheeseburgers eaten outside at picnic tables.
A quick walk to Strollo’s Lighthouse, where I have been ordering orange italian ice with vanilla ice cream since I was about five years old.
My boys have their own combinations and I wonder when they will settle into a favorite.
On the short drive home, all three of the boys fall asleep. I feel sandy and salty, and I realize that it is easy to miss those dawn to dusk beach days when the ocean is in your own backyard.
Visiting friends helped us enjoy our home in a brand new way. We had such a wonderful day with our boys, and it was a day that we never would have planned as ‘locals’.
So y’all come back now, ya’ hear?
