...remember. Sandy that is. As in hurricane. It's effects are still visible on the beaches in Stone Harbor, New Jersey. Peaceful at one one end of the beach replenishment project...
"Good Morning Stone Harbor"
Stone Harbor, New Jersey
...quite a different scene on the other end. Over 700,000 cubic yards of sand are being pumped into the 7-mile region of the Cape May County shoreline. Given that Hurricane Sandy made landfall not too far from here in Atlantic City, 350,000 homes were damaged or destroyed, and 37 were killed in the state...this just isn't too bad to have to put up a little bit of a beach fill project this summer. Yet it's a visible reminder of Hurricane Sandy and her destruction.
Perhaps not a total face lift. But the way they are filling in whole sections of eroded beach...it looks at least like a massive Juvederm procedure!
I am known to throw an occasional jab at Jersey. It's akin to Philly and New York being big brothers, and needling our little bro Jersey between us. NYC takes care of keeping North Jersey in line, and Philly takes care of the South. But when push comes to shove, we have more in common than anything that separates us (which in most cases is only the Delaware River). If not for the difference of a few miles, I could easily BE a New Jersey-ite. Then WHO would I make fun of? Probably little Delaware.
Truth-be-told, I have the utmost respect for New Jersey and it's peeps. Yes, they talk funny and drink some weird concoction called "Boost" in South Jersey (shout out to my Jersey cousins!). But I have been told I tawk funny too. I just don't drink stuff that tastes like flat coke, on purpose.
So, in honor of New Jersey, I am going to give you a list of five things that I love about Jersey. And yes, this is coming from a Philly gal...
"Stronger Than the Storm"
Stone Harbor, New Jersey
Five Things I Love About Jersey
1. Being able to go "down the shore" in only a skip and jump (and a few tolls). Not to mention best ice cream EVERRRRRRR at Springer's in Stone Harbor, and Taylor Pork Roll sandwiches while strolling a boardwalk.
2. They don't call it "The Garden State" for nuthin' folks. Jersey tomatoes, corn and peaches bought at road side stands. Produce nirvana!
3. It is against the law to pump your own gas...they are a civilized culture!
4. Bruuuuuuuuuuce (I refuse to explain any further)
5. A Jersey accent makes you sound tough, even when you're not. But everyone I know from Jersey...IS!
And a bonus reason:
Confident enough to go by just one name...JERSEY. Cher, Madonna and Beyonce' are mere posers.
And a bonus reason:
Confident enough to go by just one name...JERSEY. Cher, Madonna and Beyonce' are mere posers.
So repair, rebuild, recover and remember New Jersey. They are stronger than any storm.
Please join me on Sundays for "Song-ography".
This week's song title is Joni MItchell's "Both Sides Now.
Wow...great post! Great shots...and I love your writing style and sense of humor. Keep it up!
ReplyDeleteAnd congrats on the Shabby Pin Win...it's on its way! Aloha...
I would move there for number 3 alone. And number 4? No explanation necessary over here. Love these glimpses of restoration.
ReplyDeleteI was in Cape May a few years ago and it was absolutely beautiful. I'm happy to see that the restoration is coming along.
ReplyDeleteWow...what a difference. It's sad that as soon as the media coverage is over...the rest of the world probably assumes life is back to normal for those folks. Love the jersey facts! Great post Kathy...as usual...do you EVER get tired of me saying that?
ReplyDeleteoh i just love this kathy, sometimes we get a bad rap, thanks for the props!! it's the only place in the world you can call for a "large pie" and they know you are talking about pizza!! and by the way, we have the BEST pizza in the entire usa!!
ReplyDeleteps, i have NEVER pumped my own gas!!!
Great post! Your photos are stark reminders that all is not as it should be. Love your 5 reasons. This southern gal has a lot of respect for Jersey!
ReplyDeleteMiss Jersey corn, that's for sure! All my summers as a kid found us spending some time at the Jersey shore. And Bruce. Reason enough. (I think the Sunday crowd might be ready for a Springsteen lyric!!?!)
ReplyDeleteWas thinking that too Adrienne :)
DeleteVery enjoyable post about the recovery of the Jersey shore. I've only been to New Jersey once...visited Atlantic City (well mostly the boardwalk and a few of the casino's, but I loved it.) Those seagulls don't seem to perturbed by the bull dozers do they.
ReplyDeleteMmmmm...on the Ice Cream, so interesting flavors listed there on that board.
Sorry but I don't get #4, the only Bruce I could think of was Bruce Willis. Oopsie I just read Adrienne's comment and now I know which one you're talking about.
Heading back in a couple of days...think I'm going to have to try....Per-snick-ity :)
DeleteBruce!! :D
ReplyDeleteI love New Jersey. A college roommate of mine is from there. This quiet, shy northern Maine girl (at the time,) didn't know what to make of her. But we got to have a cool friendship.
I've heard that Congress has refused to give tje state the Sandy aid it well deserves! What the h*** is up with that??
lol....you make me want to go to Jersey. Pumping your own gas is against the law? For real? I haven't had a tank of gas pumped for me since the 70's. Seriously.
ReplyDeleteAnd being from Texas, I can tell you anyone who doesn't know who BRUUUUUCE is....why, they must be under 35 years of age. Go Springsteen!
ReplyDeleteThese just go straight to my heart. It's amazing that it's almost been a year. Watching the sucker make landfall on my home turf SUCKED but the pictures from friends and family showing a summer that is stronger than ever is amazing!
ReplyDeleteGreat shots. I always loved Cape May and I hope they can completely restore it!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE that shot of the splashing water and the pilings... just marvelous!
ReplyDeletegorgeous photos and great random 5 list!
ReplyDeleteWe are taking a trip to the 'shore' whilst we are in Philiy. I am so looking forward to seeing it for myself and not just from the window of the plane
ReplyDeleteMollyxxx
Molly, any idea which shore point you will be going to?
DeleteThanks for being nice to Jersey... those poor people really took some knocks from Sandy. xox
ReplyDeleteMan, you don't hear anything about the continued repair, rebuild and recovery from Sandy. I often find it interesting how different regions handle diversity so individually, so differently. Like the Jersey 5 - nice!
ReplyDeleteWow -- These photos make a fascinating story of what's happening in Jersey. I had no mental image of the storm's damage or how repairs would be made. I like the Jersey 5 (6) too. I've never been. Would love to go. Especially to Springer's.
ReplyDeleteLoving this post Kathy -- the news media kinda turned it's back on the Jersey Shore as soon as another disaster came into view.
ReplyDeleteI find one of the pluses of beach renourishment here is the abundance of seashells that get put on the sand!
ReplyDeleteI'm in love with that lead image. Light, DOF, leading line, the lifeguard station behind. Awesome comp. "the shore"...I only went once and it was so different than Maine beaches it kind of blew my mind. Really? Having to wear a badge to get on the sands?
ReplyDeleteGlad they are restoring-a dear friend owns property near the lighthouse in CMPoint. I think she managed OK during the storm.
See you tomorrow with both sides now.
I LOVE this post with all of your Jersey facts!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat shots Kathy! and what a great review of "Jersey". It is a place that I have never been too. Does look like quite a renovation going on of the beach too! Great post
ReplyDeleteWow, really great shots. I have never been, now I want to go.
ReplyDeleteGreat shots! And I definitely remember Sandy. Fortunately here in coastal VA we only took a glancing blow.
ReplyDeleteI have heard about Springer's and would love to go one day. Yum!