With a bit of planning, 99% of our trips have been a success (the one where we hit a blizzard and drove behind a semi because it was the only thing we could see for nearly two hours was the other 1%). Everything gets tucked into its accessible place, movies are downloaded, grab bag of surprises purchased, snacks at the ready and we are off.
Our most recent journey had us heading back east to Gigi and Pop Pop's new place down at the Jersey Shore. A hot forecast, refreshing pool, ocean air and family awaited us. Approximately 22 hours of drive time. It was an easy ride, good weather, nice dog-friendly hotel. We used to drive straight through but it just wears us all out so we decided to go as far as we think we can and stop for the night.
We arrived at Dream Maker late in the afternoon, a bit weary but excited. Tucker smelled the salty air and couldn't wait to get OUT of the Explorer. It was our first long trip in my car and though we thought things might be tight, it held more than we anticipated and gave Tucker more room than Dave's truck. After getting the tour of the house, the dock and the beautiful view of the inlet, we unloaded and got settled. Cole jumped into the pool and we started happy hour. Drinks continued to flow as we motored out of the inlet for a sunset cruise, the clouds mixing with a sky/sun that you can only see when you are near water.
We had a day to unwind before Trisha and the girls arrived for the week. Cole showed Pop Pop all about Ninjago and we enjoyed a day of sunshine, seafood and relaxing. Early morning out on the dock, a family of swans came down to drink from the fresh water outlet, babies in tow. We saw them many times that week since we were up as usual with the sunrise. The area Mom and Dad reside in is a working class neighborhood, unlike the glitz just up the road in LBI. Their neighbors were fun and friendly which was so nice to see. Dad had just put the pool in and it was quite the topic of conversation amongst the locals and because it literally is right off the water, random people were stopping to inquire about how Dad had gotten variances to put it in. :-)
Trish and the girls came down on Monday and Cole and his cousins spent hours in the pool and the lagoon. Every hour it seemed they were pulling up the crab trap or spraying each other with the hose. A pre-dinner boat cruise became our routine before feasting on mussels or fresh fish (or both). The kids played so well together and were exhausted at the end of the day, their cheeks pink from the sun.
Pop Pop had splurged on a three-seater tow tube so we took that out one afternoon in the bay. Trish and I rode for quite awhile as each kid took a turn. Our hands ached but Samantha, Cole and Makenna LOVED it. The bumpy waves of the ocean took tubing to a whole other level. The kids did some fishing too but no one was successful at catching anything. The evening before the 4th of July, the neighbors came over for drinks at dusk and we watched an early fireworks show from Mom and Dad's dock, what a great seat!
4th of July morning was HOT and sunny. Dad's assistant and family were coming down for the day. We swam, drank and ate all day! LOL. The kids floated in the raft, went on a boat ride and spent 95% of their time in the pool. The day flew by and before we knew it, we were heading out to watch the fireworks on Dad's boat out near Barnegat Light. The sun set and BOOM. A great light show anchored amongst hundreds of boats!
The next day dawned and we were all a little groggy. Tucker took his morning nap dockside as the rest of us eased into our morning. Our plan for the day was to all head to Tice's shoal where everyone "parked" their boat and then "walked" to the island where over a boardwalk you found the Atlantic Ocean. We headed out for a short boat ride where we then weaved our way carefully around the other hundred plus people who had the same idea, found a spot, then jumped into waist deep water holding coolers and gear over our heads and made our way to the beach on the other side. The kids had a blast jumping waves and building sandcastles. It was crowded but so odd because you could really only get there by boat. The people watching was at its best. After a few hours, we made our way back to the boat and headed to Dream Maker for more swimming and dock time. The sunsets over the inlet had been amazing all week and that evening didn't disappoint either.
On our last day of vacation, Trish, Dad, the kids and I headed over for an afternoon at the tidal pools near where Barnegat Bay enters the ocean. At low tide it was very cool to walk along but the wind and current were extremely dangerous so the kids couldn't swim. It was still loads of fun poking around and finding sand crabs and such. In all the years I had spent down the Jersey shore I had never seen or been to these nature preserves and beach parks. It was really a totally new perspective and experience for me! Cole crashed on the couch when we got home and didn't wake up for dinner or Pop Pop's birthday celebration. After a full week of sun and fun, he was down for the count.
It was a wonderful week spending time with my parents, sister and the girls. Dream Maker is an oasis in a little spit of the Jersey Shore I never knew existed. I'm so happy for my parents that they found it.
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