Asbury Park and Beyond - 2 miles in dinghy, 5 kilometres walked, 60 kilometres driven
One of our best weekends of the trip was with our friends John and Catherine when we joined forces on SeaLight and and first conquered the Devil's Backbone passage then conquered all the bars we could find on Harbour Island. It was like a crazy teenagers weekend, except that we had money and probably knew better. That's why it was so fun.
Well, John and Catherine happened to be home in New Jersey on a short break from their cruising adventure and live only an hour's drive from the marina (I would learn from John that everything is within one hour's drive from their place). They made arrangements to pick us up around noon for a day trip around the area, and after a short shopping expedition to the St. Agnus Thrift Store, where Ana picked up a new purse and dress for her collection, and me a few books for mine, we met our friends, jumped in the back seat, and were off for a car ride
When traveling, there is simply nothing better than having a local to show you around. Catherine and John don't just know every square foot of New Jersey, they have also been sailing the New York area for many years and know all the waterways and anchorages too.
Our first stop was at the Navesink Twin Lights lighthouses and museum at the top of a very steep hill that was much more pleasant to reach by car than by foot. We had a close-up look at a Fresnel lense then moved into the museum where they had interesting displays on the history of these lighthouses, stories about the many female lighthouse keepers, lighthouse artifacts, and a mannequin wearing a fancy lighthouse keepers suit. I was tempted to have John distract the volunteer guide so that I could pilfer the fine suit as I know our buddy Daryl back in Newport would have loved wearing it. But I'm too honest for that. And so's John.
Next up was a cruise down the Jersey "shore" (not beach...it's called shore here) where we passed many newly built commercial and residential as hurricane Sandy has wiped out this area, leaving just a few of the stately old mansions, nearly all of which has been fixed up. It is a really cool area with a beach vibe that runs through everything. We were lucky with our timing as they told us the place becomes jammed with people in the summer, and today was beautiful, sunny, with no crowds in the least.
We drove to the town of Asbury Park and saw the legendary Stone Pony bar which has hosted bands of all stripes, including local hero Bruce Springsteen, whose career and music is heavily influenced by this town. I'm not much of a Springsteen fan, but I'd never say that out loud here, as you'd probably get the same sort of brutal thrashing you'd get if you announced "The Tragically Hips sucks!" anywhere in Canada. Though I don't love his music, the guy really is an eternal legend.
We parked and walked the streets of Asbury Park, dipping into a groovy bookstore then a groovier vintage clothing/antique/record/barware/jewelery/intimate products shop called Severed Wing. Catherine then led us into her favourite dive bar, on Bond Street, where the ladies enjoyed pairs of miniature Corona and Stella beers and John and I stuck with the, but always delicious, PBR. It was awesome and we talked and laughed non-stop. Last time we were doing drinks at a bar it was in Harbour Island where the cost of each round exceeded a standard mortgage payment. But here? Fourteen bucks.
We wandered a bit more then dipped into The Black Swan for lunch where we were led to our own private room and served fine beers and amazing meals as we visited at a leisurely pace, catching up on news since we'd last met and scheming for the future.
As fellow boaters, Catherine and John fully understand the luxury and scarcity of private transport, so on the way back to the marina (where we took the scenic route, covering every side street and hitting every traffic light in half a dozen towns, you know, to see how the regular people live) we stopped at a grocery store for us to pick up a few supplies for the boat. Then we jammed it all in the back of their vehicle and effortlessly returned to the marina instead of having to slog down highways and parking lots dragging our rapidly disintegrating shopping buggy.
At the marina we said our see-ya-laters (never goodbye...) then Catherine and John coasted away, back to their home, which we hope to visit one day in the very near future, and we hope they too will visit ours.
I must say, the greatest thing we will take away from this incredible adventure are the friends we have made. Full stop.
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