Car Ride

I’m currently sitting in the backseat of my dad’s truck. So far, we’ve driven from the Jersey Shore to Trenton. Trenton has never felt like New Jersey to me. It’s filled with factories, bridges, and people from Pennsylvania. Is this what people think of when they think of New Jersey? Or do they think of that tv show starring a family from New York?

Neither of these places are what I consider to be home. Yes I grew up at “The Shore,” but it’s so much different than what is showcased. The correct beaches, MY beaches, are calm and beautiful. There is absolutely nothing in this world that compares to a spontaneous drive to a shore town with friends in the middle of the night, leaving your shoes on the boardwalk, and sprinting all along the sand to the water.

Because of the pandemic, people from New York and Pennsylvania are moving into their “shore houses,” previously only used in the summer, full-time. I get a little bit defensive about this. Why should you get to enjoy the local privileges? You clog up the roads, litter all over the beaches, and take advantage of the off-season prices of local businesses.

I just realized how misleading this could be. I’m not necessarily a “beach person.” While I love the shore towns, and the beach at night is such an amazing experience, the actual summer beach days with all of the tourists there is definitely not for me. Sand gets everywhere. Sunburn is unavoidable. People are loud and messy.

I feel like my opinion would change if I knew how to surf. I’ve taken a few lessons, but I’ve never really done it with natural waves in the ocean alone. I really should learn; everyone around me seems to know how to.

Oh, we’re arriving at our destination! I hope you enjoyed my thoughts on this car ride.