my new happy place.

sorry, wegmans.  you're just too far to get to these days.

hubby and i once kayaked out here.  i think we were paddling through cedar creek and it's where the creek emptied out into the barnegat bay.

i thought i was going to die that day.  no joke.  the day started out calmly, by the time we exited the creek the waves were sooo hard to get through from the storm coming.  mind you, the only place to land was the little "baby beach" at berkeley island.  we got yelled at by the lifeguards.  seems ironic that we felt our lives were threatened and of all people the "life" guard yells at us.  hmm.

as much as i love hanging out in our backyard, this girl has got to get out sometimes...kids in tow.

the view here is great, there is a play area for the kids, crabbing/fishing dock, and a covered picnic area.  i love the small beach, too.  i'm a bit of a paranoid mama, so having a nice, quiet beach while the kids can play along the edge without getting swept out the sea makes me happy.

and there is a "life" guard.

and it's clean.

and it's free.

where else can you snack at the park and watch sailboats sail on by?!?

kids had fun today, but it was getting a little too hot for my red-head and toe-head.  next time, we'll just get there when it's cooler...like 6am.  ha.

now if i can just get a babysitter so i can enjoy this place quietly.

a girl can dream.

what's your happy place?

beach badges

see, i told you i was going to sneak in another post before we move!

i know you are all psyched for the upcoming beach season.  also known as summer.

if you are not in jersey this post probably won't apply to you, because your state is awesome and doesn't charge it's taxpaying beach-goers $7 a person, a day.

did you know, if you go enough times during the season, it may be worth the small fee to purchase a season pass?!

i've always thought the passes would be crazy expensive. everything else in jersey is out of control, why would the passes be any different.  right?!? 

some of the municipalities have a website where you can fill out a form and send it in, with payment, to get your passes.  

others, you can just purchase at the beach.

for some municipalities, if you buy passes before memorial day they may be a little bit cheaper.  i'm only talking $10 cheaper. but still, i'll take it!

i've provided you with a list of the more popular beaches i know most people hit up.

sandy hook with clothes:  $5 a day or $50 for season pass.  

ocean grove: $7 a day or $70 for the season.

belmar:  732-681-3700  $7 daily or $50 season

manasquan

point pleasant martell's:  i'd give you the site for martells, but my comp...a mac...is saying the site is filled with malware.  if you have a pc...do not go!!!

point pleasant jenkinson's

long branch

seaside heights

seaside park

island beach state park: there aren't season passes, but still want to give you this info.

long beach township:  includes a bunch of beaches.

surf city: you have to scroll down a bit to get to surf city info.

ocean city

avalon

stone harbor

atlantic city:  free!

north wildwood and wildwood:  free.  and free.

cape may: the site hasn't been updated for a few years.  but, the contact information is still legit.

hope this is of some help to you.

surfs up, dude.

jill