This was the first Summer I wasn't sitting behind a desk. In an office. With horrible lighting and air conditioning that made me feel like I was sitting in a meat locker. For the first time, my Irish whitey-white skin was exposed to enough sunlight that I didn't burn a scalding red after spending 2.5 minutes outdoors. Instead, this Summer I managed to get the kind of colour I only had as a child. I got to play outdoors. Walk in Central Park. Take ferry rides.
And the funnest ferry ride in the world was to my beloved New Jersey!!
I have to say that I had preconceived notions of New Jersey. I thought it would be industrial. And dirty. But I have never been more surprised (or happier) to be proven sooo completely wrong. This place is now my adopted second home.
Let me take you with me so maybe you can understand why I love this place so freaking much...
First off, you take the ferry (Seastreak) from East 35th Street in Manhattan. For $40.00 (roundtrip), you board a catamaran where you get all windswept and sunkissed from the glinting sunlight on the water. And when you pass by the statue of liberty along the way... well, y'know that's just an added bonus.
As the concrete jungle starts to shift into the distance, the high voltage frequency that is Manhattan starts to mellow out and you start to see this...
And you arrive on Jersey shore to see this...
My NYC soul sista' Lory lives in New Jersey. And I'm so grateful for her spirit during my New York experience. She's the kind of friend that's game for anything - like posing with me when I wanted to play tourist - even going along with my cheesy request to play "Statue of Liberty"!!
As you can see, Lory's impersonation is perfect (check out her hand).
Now look at my hand. It appears as though I am preparing Lady Liberty for a fistfight.
Apparently I may be even more New York than I thought...
For me, New Jersey is to New York what the Muskoka is to Canadians.
It's all water. And country. Green trees. Blue skies. Slower pace.
And the last weekend I visited, we had fun at a local bar prior to checking out a music festival on the water.
The bar also just happens to be a local hotspot for many of the elderly folk living nearby who come for the free dinner buffet. Meet Don. The dapper elderly gentleman with the smooth moves.
While the ladies of all ages loved him, he had a special place in his heart for our Lory (check out his vice grip on her)!
I know I'm a sap. But this nite was one of those great summertime memories where you head out on a balmy nite with your girls and feel carefree and open to whatever the nite brings.
Where one girl shared her number with the handsome bartender that requested it...
Where hair is flying in the wind and the music is loud enough that when we sing along to "Allejandro", our voices are drowned out just enough that we actually start to think we sound pretty darn good.
The place rocks.
New Jersey is one of my favourite places to be. Here's a sample of why...
Before we start to bundle up for the crisp Fall weather, I wanted to share my beautiful memories of Summer, Summer, Summertime in Jersey.
Farewell New Jersey. Farewell Summer.
Until we meet again.
Much love from the wannabe Jersey Girl,
aka Erica
