More about NJ Beaches

This year was the first year that we joined some friends on the Sandy Hook Beach every Wednesday night.  Every night there is a concert there at 5 pm and until sundown.  I do consider us to be very lucky to be able to do that every week.  It is beautiful.  We stay off to the side, a bit away from the concert crowd.  The kids get to play with their friends and enjoy some fresh ocean air.  We watch the sunset, and a few times even the moon rise, and make more friends along the way.  (Good friends make everything more fun!!!) It is like a small vacation.  Now that the weather is getting colder I cannot wait to start going to the beach often again.

Here are some pictures for me to drool over while winter goes by.

NJ Beaches

NJ has many beautiful beaches down the shore.  There is a beach for every taste, there are party beaches, quiet beaches, beaches with roller coaster rides, aquariums, waterparks, hiking, habitats and so much more fun.  Of course, after Sandy hit last year, I can no longer say what remains and what was swept away.  Hopefully this year the beach will be back to it's glorious self, with the help of all the folks that have worked hard restoring it to it's beautiful self. 

I love the beach. Real beach. Ocean with big waves and miles of send. We skipped it the year before last because the youngest guy was afraid of the waves. He was so terrified that he wouldn't allow me to get off the blanket. It wasn't enjoyable for anyone. We took a year off, and enjoyed some local lakes, and finally past summer we went. I missed it! This time he loved it. He wouldn't get out of the water, and was not afraid at all!

We like beaches with no rides, and no restaurants. Just the waves and the sand for us. I've tried many of them on the Jersey shore. My favorite is Belmar. Sandy Hook was lovely, but we were there on a weekday during the evening. Seven Presidents is supposed to be really good, we will try it next year.  Point Pleasant has many rides, and restaurants and the Jackson Aquarium.  It is a fun place to take the kids to spend a day, but if you are looking to just enjoy the water there are many quieter spots.

The plan for the next summer is to make it to the beach once a week.  I am hoping Sandy Hook will be open and operating as usual. I also made a decision to make it down to the beach at least once to watch the moon rise. 

Spruce Run and Round Valley, NJ

We love camping! My husband and I used to go with friends before we were married. Then, after we were married, it was with our nephews when they were young, then with our nephews and their friends. After that it was our nephews, their friends and our kids.  Now for quite a few years it is just us and our two kids, even though friends and nephews make a brief entrance once in a while, it is mostly just us.  However, no matter who we go with, it's always relaxing and fun.

 Usually, when I say "camping", people think "no showers, pooping in the brush, and eating wild caught, possibly raw fish".  It is not what I mean by camping.  Over the years we have tried several places in NJ. Found out that we love Spruce Run. It is clean, family friendly, has a playground, beach with a beautiful lake, rangers that help you in time of need (like when you're being chased by a rabid gopher), decent bathrooms, and a good crowd of familes with kids. Our kids usually make a few friends and hang out with them either on the playground, or running back and forth.  One year we brought bikes with us, and they really enjoyed riding around the park.  Especially the older one, who was able to go off on his own. On the same lake you can rent a boat (they have several different kinds) and enjoy a nice boat ride, or go fishing.  It is a wonderful place to take the kids for a few days and get away from all the electronic devices, and just enjoy the nature. 

We have looked in to other places. Most of them are farther away, and more expensive. Most of the time we decide not to bother, and stick to the place we know and love. Can't be blamed for it, because this is what it looks like:

 

 

 



It is not an expensive place to go camping, but you do need to make reservations ahead of time.  If you are just starting out camping, this is a great place to start.  You do need to read their rules and follow them. 

Here is the website for their information: http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/spruce.html

This past year we decided on not going overnight, but that doesn't stop us from coming to the beach and enjoying a swim.  Keep in mind that there is a small fee per car to go into the park.  Look at their website for more information!

Near Spruce Run there is another great state park: Round Valley.  Similar to Spruce Run it has a lake, playgrounds, food stand, bathrooms and showers.  There is also hiking trails, and camping.  As I understand, camping in Round Valley is for a more adventurous spirit.  They also have an information page right here: http://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/round.html
We never made it camping there, but it is a fun place to come and splash in the lake, build a few sandcasltes, enjoy a churro and a hike.

The place has been labeled the Bermuda Triangle of NJ, read more here: http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/06/njs_bermuda_triangle_mystery_s.html .

 

Both places are very easy to get to from Rt. 22 or Rt. 78!