Ho ho ho

Before heading to Rhode Island, we did a quick trip to Cape May to wrap up holiday shopping. We stayed at the Victorian Motel. I'd never stayed there before, but it's located right behind Congress Hall so I've seen it. Not bad - very serviceable and clean motel close to the center of everything.

We got into town verrrrry late on Friday night, and in the off season, our options were limited, so we hit the Ugly Mug for some bar food, and then the Brown Room at Congress Hall for a post dinner drink. I snapped this photo on our way out:

Pretty.

The next day, we did a 10 mile run (from the hotel to Sunset Beach, then to the Lighthouse and back with a leg thrown in down Beach Avenue to check out construction of the Convention Center), followed up by brunch at Tisha's. We wrapped up our shopping at Whale's Tale, Madame's Port, the Fudge Kitchen, the Toy Shop and Sensia.

Nice trip. I wish we could have stayed longer, but that was not our pre-Christmas trip this year.

Jersey Shore Fact of the Day 15: The Knife & Fork has an amazing backstory

I'm going to cheat a little on this fact of the day - I'm off from my full time job today but have a long list of things to do for freelance and the book.

Last night, I worked late to finish up a dining piece for Edible Jersey magazine, and went to the website of the Knife & Fork to fact check that portion of the story. And came across this.

I'd known this, but haven't read it written so well before. Enjoy.

So what we we think of this series? I've enjoyed writing it, from the real facts to the silly ones. Worth continuing?

News from Around the South Jersey Shore

Atlantic City's population is on the decline.

Apparently, home prices in AC are "extremely overvalued." This isn't a shocker to me -- can you imgine paying a few hundred grand for a condo in Atlantic City? I mean, it's a fun place to visit and all, but I think some developers were reaching too high too fast.

Boyd Gaming, which owns the Borgata, just took a hit.

But -- hey! -- here's some good news: wifi in AC!

And Michael Phelps was in town. That's fun.

This is s a nice article about Henny's closing.

Here's some pictures from a Cape May parade.

And here's some Strathmere pictures.

Gillians is having their annual holiday ticket sale -- deals to be had if you know you're going to be hitting the Ocean City boardwalk next summer.

Nothing makes a scandal like a sex tape (Atlantic City related -- promise).

Yikes! Expect to pay a whole lot if you get into a car accident in Wildwood. Yikes again.

The Last Weekend

I ended my shore season on just about as high a note as possible. I had a wonderful time over my extended Labor Day weekend, and didn't work too much -- promise!

Things kicked off on Thursday when I had my photo taken for next year's Ocean City book, produced by Exit Zero, which I posted about earlier this week. That modeling stuff isn't easy. Don't believe me? You try balancing on a wooden horse in a gold stiletto and red strapless dress and making it look like you're not straining every muscle in your body to make sure you don't fall off. But it was lots of fun, and I'm glad we were able to take the pictures during the summer season.

After all was said and done, I stopped off at Dixie Picnic. Even though they were closed, I still managed to get a dozen upcakes, which were devoured over the course of the weekend.

I didn't get in any beach time, both because of the cool temperatures on Friday and that whole medical waste thing. I did take some pictures in Strathmere, though:



Saturday would have been a nice beach day, too, but I had my final signing of the season at Sun Rose Words and Music in Ocean City:



The ladies were great to me this summer and have already invited me back for Ocean City's fall block party...not sure if I'll be there yet, but if I am, of course I'll write about it here.

Then it was back to my little temporary hideaway at a cabin in Avalon Campground for some relaxing and pool time:



I don't remember what I'm looking at in this picture, but it might have been weird. Still, I haven't frolicked in a pool -- especially in THAT pool -- in quite some time.

Then it was off to dinner at Stumpo's in Cape May after two important stops:

1. Sunset Beach for the ultimate Jersey Shore souvineer, a Cape May diamond necklace:



2. Chat with Jack Wright, publisher of the aforementioned Exit Zero, and show him proofs from Thursday's photo shoot. Exit Zero had quite a weekend -- columnist and author Terry O'Brien was featured on NPR. Congrats, Terry.



I thought I'd be really sad as I headed back home on Sunday, and I had my moments -- one in Marge's Diner in Clermont and one while driving through Haddonfied to my mom's to pick up my dog. But I haven't had that "wow, it's over" smash yet -- could be because I'm going to be down the shore next week for vacation or that I've realized the shore isn't held within the bounds of Memorial Day and Labor Day. Plus, it's been a great summer, and is that something to be sad about? I think not...

Your Shore Weekend

Thirteen down, two weekends to go, people. This is just about the end of Summer 2008, so let's get right to it:

The most important thing (obviously) is that I'll be signing books at the Book Nook (37th and the Boardwalk) in Sea Isle City on Saturday night from 6-8pm. It's my second to last summer signing, so stop by to buy a book, hang out or just say hi. Should be a nice night for it.

Some other people might be interested in that Jimmy Buffet guy, who's playing Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City on Sunday night, but what's he got that I don't? Parrot heads?

But before he gets there, Jordin Sparks and Jesse McCartney are playing Boardwalk Hall on Friday night.

Do you think he's sexy? If you do, Rod Stewart will be at the Borgata this weekend.

I don't think Rod's so hot. But John Mayer? Yeah, he'll do. He's playing the Borgata on Sunday.

Bust out the bleach blond hair and earring Billy Idol will play the House of Blues on Friday.

It's sidewalk sale time in Stone Harbor! Check it out on Saturday. Want a preview of the scene? This New York Times article from last summer just about sums it up.

Up for a workout? There's a triathalon and duathon in Wildwood on Saturday.

And there's a "hands on art" event at Historic Cold Springs Village this weekend.

If you're looking ahead: Monday is the Taste of the Quarter at the Tropicana. Proceeds benefit the The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Hard to believe that it's almost over, isn't it? I spent some time down the shore this week, and it didn't even feel like summer -- we didn't have that bone crushing humidity but sunny skies, nice breezes, and cool nights.

If you're itching to go but don't you have a shot at scoring a place to stay, I have a suggestion: get online (or get to my book) and start calling places. Many are booked, yes, but you never know when a cancellation will open up a prime room. I stopped yesterday to visit Jay and Mary Ann Gorrick of Cape May's Inn at the Park yesterday, and while we were talking, someone called in to cancel. "That'll get booked back up," saidMary Ann. "They've been calling all day." So if you still want to go, take a little time, make a lot of calls, and you, too, can have your shore weekend!

From South to North and Back Again

I'm going to admit it in public: I cheated. On the South Jersey shore, that is. And had a blast doing it.

On Sunday, I drove from Cape May up to Union Beach, NJ, which is near the top of New Jersey's coast (most people would call that area Central Jersey, though these guys are the experts on that). From there, I proceeded to Sandy Hook, which is the most northern shore spot in New Jersey. I'd never been there before, and was amazed by everything there was to do.

Sandy Hook is undeveloped -- well, at least recently. It was an army base and still home to some military, but most of the area is dedicated to birding, surfing, swiming, and what I did, albeit it in the rain: kite flying.



I also checked out the History House, which is a restored 1898 lieutenant's residence along "Officers Row" re-done to reflect the World War II era. Here's a few shots:











After that, it was off to dinner at Moonstruck in Asbury Park. I couldn't tell you much about the moon that night, but there was a beautiful complete rainbow we could see from the restaurant's deck.





I had fun. That area of the shore is very new to me, so I'm still exploring, but I think I'll go back again.

Thanks to everyone who came out to Pop Shop quizzo last night. I had a blast! Hope the questions weren't too hard ;-)

News from Around the South Jersey Shore

Sea Isle's getting a trolley.

Speaking of Sea Isle, looks like the "Tri for our Veterans" is going to sell out this weekend. So sign up now if you want to participate.

Vintage bathing suits! I love this blog. I'm so tempted to take a gamble and buy this dress.

The Cape May County Zoo's turning 30! Such a fun place to visit...

The new people path is open at the Stone Harbor bird sanctuary.

Care to chime in on this Cape May dining discussion? (though not shore related, I thought the headline from this story on the same site was funny)

Here's a photo diary of an AC trip.

Who knew Cheryl Hines was such a big Borgata poker fan?

Things are not looking good -- at all -- for the Tropicana.

There's a plant swap at the Nature Center of Cape May on Saturday.

Here's a nice picture of the Cape May lighthouse.

Will the Pier survive?

Thumbs up for the Showboat. I like it, too (though it would be way cooler if it still had the bowling alley).