That's right, kids. I branched out and took the plunge.
To the Jersey shore.
And yes, it really is a different world.
Despite traveling to 47 states and 9 foreign countries, I've never made the 3-hour trip to the Jersey shore, a foreign place in and of itself. The NJ Turnpike? Well-worn. The Shore? Not so much. Not even Atlantic City.
This week, that all changed, and it was spectacular.
And in a fitting tribute to my Japanese adventure, I had the fortune of spending 3 days with wonderful newlyweds who both performed multiple contracts at TDS and fell in love whilst working there! Stories and reminiscences abounded making my heart ache for one of the best experiences in my life.
Not that orange tank top tans, mullets, and beer bellies aren't just as delightful. Not.
I knew it would be an amazing adventure when we pulled up to the aqua neon OEO hotey-ho (It was called the Bolero, but every other light was out!) and we were given a look into classic 60's Jersey. Including our hotel room and the class-less neighbors. Luckily that also meant we could by beer by the case for CHEEEEEAAAP and we were happy to indulge.
And the best part was that the guys got to relax and play all day while the ladies had to go to work! You know, relax by throwing our bodies onto rollercoasters and the claw ride that spun you around fully upside down and made you turn purple. No wonder Jason got a little nervous there...
We also enjoyed the amenities of the Boardwalk, including a conspicuously-placed gazebo with rocking chairs, perfect for re-creating a contemporary solo seen the day before for our judged-out ladies. Eat these lines 17-year-old Jersey girl!
And while we probably ran into more Snooki and Situation look-a-like wannabes than I care to admit (I don't really know who those people are, but...), there actually are some charming beaches minutes from Wildwood that look like this.
Definitely worth the escape.
And so the mini-vacation consisted of laughing, pizza and ice cream, beer, amazing independent coffee shops, Stone Harbor, Cape May, happy hour in utter seclusion, playing skeeball and the Ultimate Claw to buy the girls presents and pay four for four forever friends bracelets. Dancing on rocking chairs, Japan memories, Wawa, and rollercoasters to seal the vacation as one forever incredible memory.
A 3-hour drive to a foreign country beats that 13-hour flight on Delta any day.
Happy 1st Anniversary "A Toph out of Water"!
