Messing with the blogging world since 2005
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!
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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!
Note: I originally wrote this piece for the Studio 30 Plus magazine. It appeared this past Friday.
A father and daughter fly a kite, taking advantage of the near-empty beach in Sea Isle City, NJ.
You know the one problem with going on vacation?
People.
I don’t like being around too many people when I vacation. I can’t stand going to a tourist destination in season. The reason being is that it seems to become more stressful when there are so many people around. And isn’t the point of a vacation to have fun and relax?
Though you’re sure to see more things that are open and more choices when it comes to entertainment, food etc., it also gives more competition for all of those items. That means longer lines, frustrating service and things that want to make you pull your hair out.
Bleh.
When I vacation or go away, I try and keep it simple. Sleep a little. Do some fun things. But being I don’t want to be bothered, going during the in-season is tough.
Let me explain something first. I don’t live far from Cooperstown, New York. For those of you who are baseball fans, I’m sure you know Cooperstown is the home of the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
Too, this area is also home to three or four baseball/softball camps. And by camps, I don’t mean one week a year. It’s the whole summer. Many, many teams come into the area each week and clog the area even more. Prices rise and it takes a lot longer to get to places you need or want to go.
I’m not an idiot. I realize what kind of dough these people bring into the area, and it’s appreciated. That’s why, for the most part, if I am going to Cooperstown or the Hall of Fame, I try and go in the off-season. It’s quieter and I can enjoy the village and the Hall.
I’ve taken that to my getaways.
Outside of trips to Montreal and Ireland, I usually try and avoid the busy season. That includes two trips to Maine. And now a trip to the South Jersey shore.
Traveling during the off-season is very different from in-season.
To start, not many people are around. Many shops, stores and entertainment venues are closed.
So, if you are looking to mingle, bar-hop, shop or something like that, this might not be the time to travel to these hot spots.
An empty beach can be a wonderful place.
For me, it’s perfect.
One of the days I was at the shore this past week, I strolled the beach for nearly three hours. I stopped and peeked out at the fluffy clouds that dotted the blue skies and admired the Atlantic Ocean. I took photos. I walked barefoot in the sand and allowed the water to sometimes come over my feet.
Of those three hours, I might have witnessed 10 other people on the beach.
Ten.
I visited several vacation destinations during my time at the shore — Avalon, Stone Harbor, Cape May, Sea Isle City and Wildwood. It was the same at each place when I looked at the beach.
If this had been the old west, I would have expected a tumbleweed to come blowing by on the main street.
The boardwalk at Wildwood, for the most part, was boarded up like it had gone out of business. A few places remained open (which was nice to be able to grab an ice cream at one), but the majority were closed up.
The Wildwood Boardwalk looking nearly empty.
In one area, the only people I saw were a father and daughter flying a kite and another person using a metal detector on the white sand.
I saw a few fishermen and a couple handfuls of surfers each day.
I chatted with a couple of the surfers who said the water in South Jersey wasn’t the greatest for surfing, but it was good enough to enjoy. Several of them stayed out there daily for a few hours. It was interesting to watch.
There were the random people sitting and reading on the beach or playing with their kids, but for the most part, the beach felt like it was mine. I roamed with a smile on my face, taking snapshots or just staring out at the vast body of water.
A surfer catches a wave in Avalon.
In town, it was the same. A few places were open. Many were shut down. Others offered discounts to lingering inventory. Stop lights were set to blinking. Once the sun went down, the places that were open quickly seemed to shut down and call it a day.
The places that I did find open to eat were wonderful. The service was fast, the food was excellent and I enjoyed that there wasn’t so many others eating or waiting to be served. I understand, however, why many of these places close or have shortened hours during the off-season. Financially, it’s probably not worth it to many of them as the year-round population of some of these towns is miniscule.
But for those of you who might be like me — hate the crowds and like the peacefulness that a beautiful place can bring — the off-season is perfect.
It’s the perfect time to go for a stroll on the beach, smell the area and see some beautiful stuff.
And not having people to bother you!
You have to be ready for certain things, such as empty streets and shops and closed up places. If you aren’t, the trip could end up being a disappointment.
For me, it’s therapeutic. It usually gives me a chance to clear my mind, recharge and gives me some time to be at peace with the world.
I wouldn’t trade that for anything.
I’m sure places like this are fun when it’s busy and in season. But for me, it can’t beat being here when it’s nearly empty and one can enjoy the peace and quiet of all the surroundings
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