Messing with the blogging world since 2005
OK, I made that headline up.
It’s not a new thing.
It’s just … I got nothing right now. December’s end is coming soon enough and this every day thing can stop. BUT … I do like this idea for today, to share a photo.
With the weather we’re having here … I’d love to be back at this beach!
Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please “Like” A ‘lil HooHaa on Facebook! You can also follow me on Twitter @softball29!
Sometimes, you just need a couple of hours in a situation like this to relax.
There are times I wish I lived much closer to a beach.
Two weeks ago, I was looking at the Pacific Ocean. Today, I was looking at the Atlantic.
Relaxing. I hope everybody has a great weekend!
Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please “Like” A ‘lil HooHaa on Facebook! You can also follow me on Twitter @softball29!
As I have done for the past several years, I had the chance in October to slip away for a few days to the Jersey Shore.
My aunt and uncle own a place in one of the small Oceanside towns there, so it’s nice to get away for a weekend. It’s also nice because it’s outside of tourist season, so it’s usually pretty quiet. I like that. There’s something to be said about being able to walk on the beach and not see many people.
This year, the weather – as it was last year – was a tad iffy. It wasn’t quite as bad as last year, when it was almost no fun to deal with. The day we left down there was really quite warm, so it was nice to have a clear day to look out over the water.
When I was younger, we used to go to an uncle’s place in Maryland. It was really nice and going into the water was always fun. Though, to be fair, having to use an outhouse wasn’t great. But, that’s neither here nor there.
Now this is peaceful.
There was then a time in my life where I hated the beach. There were several reasons for this, but in recent years, I’ve started to appreciate it more. It’s likely more like I appreciate it when it’s not so crowded. The water and the sound can be very relaxing and peaceful. There are times I’ve sat on the beach for several hours with nobody around, just because the sights and sounds are very peaceful.
I know people rush out to vacation in the warm months and take advantage of the sun. And I can understand that without a doubt. However, there’s something to be said to vacationing when things aren’t so busy. I live in a high tourist area, well close to one, and it can be a total pain when it’s in full swing.
And while it’s true that everything isn’t open, or doesn’t have a lot of hours when they are open, it’s a very calm setting.
The one seafood place I love to eat at (the chowder there is amazing) has closed the weekend I was there the past two years. What’s nice about that is I get them at the end of the season and when it’s not so crammed full of people. I can have a quiet breakfast at a place I truly enjoy. And then I can walk on the beach without seeing many people.
There’s not much of a night life when I am there, but I also don’t really go to have that type of time.
This year, the weekend was the town’s seafood festival. It wasn’t bad and there was definitely a crowd in town for it. I took part in the chowder-tasting contest. I also went up the road to Ocean City one night to see the fireworks there and take in the boardwalk, which was busy that night.
To be fair, my mind was racing all weekend I was there about a lot of things. But on the Sunday I left, the weather was fantastic and I walked the beach by myself, took my shoes off and let the ocean water cover my feet. It’s amazing how quickly your thoughts can vanish and you can get lost in the beauty of the water and beach. Though the tourist season could make me change my mind, I am envious of those who live near a beach and can go on short notice.
The weekend ended up being good for me in that I got a chance to relax and clear my mind a little.
Where do all of you go for a quick weekend to recharge and clear your mind? Beach? Woods? Somewhere else? I’ve found, though, that it’s important to have places like this for your mind, body and soul. It’s always good to get away from the hustle and bustle of life for a bit, if even just for a weekend.
Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog [at] gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook!
A baby snow leopard and the mother chill.
Despite less-than-perfect weather, a trip away to the Jersey Shore was a good thing for my mind and body.
My aunt/uncle own a house in Avalon, New Jersey. It’s a quaint little town and, from what I understand, is an absolute zoo during the summer months. I can understand why, too. It’s a gorgeous spot on the Jersey Shore and it’s a cool little area.
Bad weather couldn’t screw a mini-vacation. It did allow for some great photo chances.
So who wouldn’t want to be there.
Well, during the “on” months, me.
See, I’m all about visiting places like that when it’s not so overrun by people. A couple of years ago, I went down by myself. The reason being was I wanted to just kind of veg and not have to worry about anything.
This time, there was some family. And that’s all good, too. But I still got the chance to get out and explore a little.
One issue, though? Mother Nature. She sure can be ornery at times, can’t she? Getting down there on a Thursday night was supposed to set up a weekend of nice times. Heck, it was Avalon’s Seafood Festival!
Yum!
Alas, the old broad Mother Nature had different ideas. Wind. Rain. High tide, it seemed, was all the time. The one bridge from Avalon to Sea Isle City was actually closed because waves were crashing over the walls to the road.
Still, it’s not like it was non-stop rain.
This zebra needed to scratch his back.
Sometimes weather like that makes you think outside the box a little. Like two trips to the zoo. Some geocaching. Some walking on a windy beach. It wasn’t all that bad.
And the best part?
It helped clear my mind and body, which is something I needed.
Now, could it have been even better if it had been sunny and 60-65 out? For sure. For one, the Seafood Festival wouldn’t have been postponed! You just have to make a good out of a bad, right?
I really enjoyed getting away and not having anything to worry about. I took a ton of photos, which eventually I’ll get up on my Flickr account — along with the rest of the images I’ve taken over the past six or so months.
Practicing the crane.
Anyhoo…
There’s something to be said about watching monster waves crash up against rock walls or the shore. Or seeing a high tide and the waves rolling in. It would have been cool to see some lightning so I could have tried to have taken a few shots, but no luck.
In the end, I had the chance to do a bunch of fun things, including finding a bunch of geocaches (one of which was a first to find!), take some photos and recharge the batteries a little bit.
The zoo was especially cool. I had the chance to see several baby animals, including a set of snow leopards, a giraffe (only about a month old), a bison and I think one or two others.
Here’s a quick video I shot of the baby giraffe walking.
I won’t lie that I think I should visit this fine area one time during the summer, just to see what it’s like. But I truly do enjoy going in the fall. I just hope next time, Mother Nature cooperates!
A few more photos:
Splashing water.
An egret takes off at the Wetlands Institute.
Taking off at the beach.
Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog [at] gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook!
— Neil Gaiman
Sea Isle City, NJ.
Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook!