The REAL Jersey Shore

Growing up 30 minutes from the Jersey Shore, it wasn't uncommon to take a drive to Ocean City, Sea Isle, or Cape May for a night at the boardwalk, day at the beach, or afternoon at the zoo.  The Jersey Shore that I know and love is very different from the image projected on TV.  Me and my sisters grew up spending our summers at the shore, riding rides all night, and waiting for that perfect slice of Mack and Manco's famous boardwalk pizza!

I can remember fighting over what rides to use our tickets on, who would get to sit with my mom or dad, and when it was actually acceptable to go home.  Over the years, my family drifted apart from the Jersey Shore and leaned more towards enjoying our peaceful, week-long vacation in Assateague, Maryland... which just so happens to be on the beach.  However, the Jersey Shore has always had a special place in my heart, and we make sure to go as a family at least once a year.

This year especially, I developed a type on dependence on the shore.  From Senior Prom weekend until the week I left for Eastern, I spent at least one day/night a week in Ocean City, Sea Isle, or Strathmere.  I'll never forget loading up 5 cars full of my friends and driving to Ocean City to spend the night at the boardwalk and sitting on the beach talking about life, dancing, and enjoying the time we still had together.  I won't forget waking up at 8 o'clock on MY DAY OFF EVERY WEEK to go to the beach and laugh at the boys trying to pile up three people on their shoulders.  There is no way I'll ever lose the memories of driving to Ocean City every Forth of July with my family to watch the fireworks, and seeing the fireworks of the surrounding shore towns over the water. 

So many of my greatest memories, not only with family, but with friends and teammates, were spent living and loving life at the Jersey Shore.  So yeah.  A bunch of kids spend their time at the shore, nothing special.  Maybe not to you, but to me, its a lifetime of memories.  Memories that I hope I never forget.

I made a video to show the "greatest hits" of my nights spent at the shore, and these aren't even the half of it.  You should've been there for the times we were all having waaaayyyyyy to much fun to waste time taking pictures! 

Thanks, and I'll talk to you guys next week!  Here's to hoping the Jersey Shore can get back on it's feet before the summer of 2013...  Sandy may have done some damage, but I know how people from Jersey are.... and no one's giving up our beach and our summer without a fight!