Local Summer!
Here at the Jersey Shore, the locals refer to the weeks after Labor Day as “Local Summer.” It’s that time of year when the water is warm, the daytime sun is strong, and the crowds have gone home—mostly back to North Jersey and New York. In a sense, the beach has been handed back over to the locals. That includes Kim and me! I don’t complain much about the crowds who come down to the shore in July and August. After all, those who come to their summer homes, or for a week or even a day help so many of the local businesses survive. And I suppose, the crowds bring a bit of excitement to the area. But there is something refreshing about being able to go to the beach this time of year and feel the change in the vibe—i.e., a much more relaxed vibe—and enjoy a bit more space on the sand. And, it helps me appreciate all the more that Kim and I have been blessed to live where we live. I say that because, I hear so many people complain about living here in Monmouth County, NJ—in ...