Blogs

Going Down the Shore!

by on ‎06-10-2014 05:09 PM

Growing up outside of Philadelphia, every summer as soon as school let out, we would head "down the shore" to Wildwood Crest NJ.  It was more affordable to rent early in the season, so we would head to a little house a few blocks from the beach for a week of pure joy. I loved it!  We only went once a year. At the end of the trip, I would be quite dramatic leaving my beloved beach and not seeing it till the next year.  Days on the sand, nights on the boardwalk, coming home to play board games and watch old movies while the Phillies' game was on the radio - are precious memories to me.



No one loved the beach more than my Dad. He sailed around the world as a Merchant Marine, and the sea called him home each summer.  Once I grew up, and we headed to the beach more often, he loved traveling with us. I have a photo of him from the beach that makes me think of him waving at us from heaven, thrilled we are at the beach once again.



I have been coming to Wildwood Crest since I was five years old (that's 47 years!) and I never grow tired of our trips to the beach.  Walking along the sand towards the bird sanctuary will take the stress out of your day!  



Wildwood Crest has a great bike path that leads right onto the the famous boardwalk, and then to Hereford Lighthouse in North Wildwood.  Most days you can find us starting our day with a bike ride!



And of course we love the rides! My Dad took me on all the rides when I was little.  I still remember the pirate ship and the Golden Nugget rides that only exist in our memories. But we make new ones each year when we find a new favorite, like Deirdre's Kanga Bounce!



We are just over the bridge from Cape May and spend many nights exploring the shops, heading to Sunset Beach for the flag ceremony at sundown, and stopping for ice cream on Washington Street Mall.


 


Stepping out of our favorite restaurant, Lucky Bones, we are usually greeted by the most amazing sunsets to end our day.


Sean and I are lucky to share childhood memories of loving the Wildwoods and are so happy we can pass that love onto our daughters.


Of course, any summer getaway involves packing, and for me it's all about the shoes!  I like to take styles that serve several purposes: a casual sandal perfect for biking that can also work with a casual summer dress or maxi skirt, comfy thong sandals that are at home on the sand in a swim suit and in a restaurant with capris and a cute top.  I also try to take shoes, clothing and accessories all in the same color story so everything mixes and matches easily.  My last tip is, always throw in a pair of dressier shoes, for me it's wedges in the summer.  Once we went away and I didn't have the right shoe with me and I felt underdressed at the restaurant. So I make sure I pack a cute pair of shoes just in case!


Wherever this summer takes you, have a wonderful time, and don't forget the shoes!


-Jane