Travels in the 2nd half

Cape May Sea Wall Who doesn’t love a trip to the shore? The sun is shining. The sand is soft. And the water, well, what is better than a cool dip on a hot summer day? But, what is it like to visit the shore during the winter? I decided to find out. So, on the first weekend of March, I drove from New York City to Norfolk, Virginia to explore the shore. Asbury Park Boardwalk Tillie welcomes guests to the Wonder Bar My first stop was Asbury Park, New Jersey . Asbury Park was founded as a residential resort in 1871. It became a summer destination with the development of the New York and Long Branch Railroad in 1880.   During the 1920’s two iconic Beaux Arts buildings were constructed along the beachfront. The Asbury Park Casino and Carousel House and the Convention Hall with the Paramount Theater. They are still standing and in operation today, so I chose them to be the bookends of my exploration of Asbury Park’s beach. This 0.5-mile walk epitomizes the town e...

Sandy Hook Lighthouse Sandy Hook, New Jersey is part of the Gateway National Recreation Area . It sits at the very northern end of the chain of barrier islands that make up the "Jersey Shore." It is a multi-use park with ocean and bay activities along with the historic buildings of Fort Hancock and Sandy Hook Lighthouse . Sandy Hook Lighthouse Sandy Hook's position at the southern end of NY harbor gives it great maritime importance. Before the ability to dredge a major channel was developed the main shipping channel into NYC passed near Sandy Hook. As a result the lighthouse was built on Sandy Hook in 1764. It is the oldest surviving lighthouse in the United States. It is still a functioning lighthouse, maintained by the U.S. Coastguard. Sandy Hook Lighthouse Looking across the proving ground to the lighthouse Fort Hancock The importance of Sandy Hook is demonstrated by the fact that during the Revolutionary War the British captured and held it ...