I am trying to get back to my travel blog. As you most likely know, it has been a difficult time and I have not provided many options to one's insomnia in the last few months. But even I, sooner or later, realize that I have a duty to you non-sleepers out there to create these opportunities for a restful night. So here goes!
Due to the generosity of the Kinnier's, I have been allowed to stay at their palatial beach estate in Lavallette, NJ for a few days. This is the area that was devastated by Tropical Storm Sandy seven years ago. The house had to be rebuilt from the ground up. What they have now is a very cozy two bedroom plus a loft home with an updated kitchen, bathroom and main room. The central air is great as the last two days were rather on the warm side, like 93 degrees, and the sitting area on the ground level is mostly shaded and usually gets a nice cooling breeze. Of course that was not yesterday.
Well, anyway, I asked if I could crash here a few days and they said go ahead. Now you might wonder what I am doing at "The Beach" being a rather non beach person. As it is well known, my idea of a day at the beach is to go to the mountains or anywhere there is no beach. But if I have to beach it, then I would like a very comfortable chair and the necessary umbrella or tent that provides me total shade the entire time I am on a sandy soil area. I do not need to take a dip in the water nor get a tan. The main reason for me to choose this haven on the ocean is to make use of the rather flat geography by biking the length of the island or as much of it as possible. I am also taking advantage of the ground floor sitting area to read, drink heavily and enjoy the breeze.
The biking yesterday morning was like a reintroduction to this transportation mode (it has been 8 years since I last rode one). I had to figure out the gears since there are 21 unique settings that you have to coax into position as they slip a bit before catching. Then there is the wonderful, so comfortable seat that seems to want to shove itself up my ass. Oh it feels so good.
So I started out around 7:40 in the morning, which was partly cloudy but clearing. I wanted to get out early as the temp was expected to soar by mid-day. I felt good, there was a bit of a breeze, some clouds but mostly sunny. I headed down West Cove to Rte 35 S. Once I got to the end of West Cove the wind showed its true colors. It was a steady breeze that seemed to come from any direction I rode in. But I was not to be deterred. I decided I wanted to explore the area so I headed down Rte. 35.
I took many side streets and rode to their end. Some were very short and some were about a 1/4 mile long, all ending at the waters edge. The exploring I was doing was to revel in the marvelous homes that only money can buy. On the bay side of 35, probably 90 % of the homes back up to water, either on the bay itself or the short canals that resemble streets. Almost all the mansions on the water are unique. There is no track housing here. The majority of the homes are 2 floors, with some 3 floors and I did see one that had a fourth floor. They are all impeccably maintained with some minor landscaping, as many have stone or brick for lawns. Grass is at a premium here. Still, the home are incredible to look at from the street. I can only imagine what they are like inside. The one point I can make is that there is no end to the number of windows in these houses. You can view the water from any point in the house. If you could get the cleaning contract for windows in the area, you could run a very large company and never run out of work. I have provided a picture of one I passed on my ride.
Now, back to the ride.
You can take 35 down to basically the end of the island. That would be Island Beach State Park. It is about 12 miles from West Cove to the end of the road in the park. Since its a state park, there is a charge to enter and I did not feel like paying up so I turned around once I reached the park entrance. I got on Rte. 35 N and started heading back. This takes you, first through a fully residential section of a town called Seaside Park. The homes here also run from small bungalows to multi floor mansions with rental properties interspersed. As I move further North I reach the boardwalk and amusement park at Seaside Heights. Another shore town that attracts tourists mostly during the summer months, but is great to visit during the shoulder seasons in the spring and fall. Since it is September, the boardwalk businesses are mostly closed and the park rides are shut down. But the people who are more year round townies take to walking the streets and boardwalk every day. It is much more peaceful and quite.
I continue my ride which takes me through Ortley Beach and back to Lavallette. I pass though the business sections along the route and note how many businesses are open for the locals. There are still plenty of restaurants, liquor stores, food shops and drug stores. A major difference now is that there is plenty of parking available too. People who live here must relish when the tourists leave as they get their town back.
I decided to keep riding when I reach West Cove Way, and head up to the Wawa. No particular reason. I just wanted to continue the ride a little longer. Once I reached Wawa, I took a brief rest and then headed back to W Cove and finished my ride. It felt good to get out and I got some exercise to boot. The ride was about 13 miles. Today is cloudy, rainy and windy. No ride today. But overall, a trip worthwhile.
I am trying to get back into the travel routine and I have two more trips already planned. The are to Seattle and Arkansas. I hope to squeeze in a few more, but with Dani expecting and due 11/8 we will have to see what will be possible. As usual, I will keep you bored and informed!
