Sea Girt Lighthouse

      Thursday, May 13, 2021: For the first time in years, I saw the ocean at the New Jersey Shore: Sea Girt to be exact. Upon arriving, I saw the outside of the Sea Girt Lighthouse, 9 Ocean Avenue, Sea Girt (732-974-0514). Since 1896, this lighthouse had been a beacon for ships off the NJ Coast between Sandy Hook and Barnegat. Although the interior wasn’t open, I did see it online through videos and pictures. One of the rooms looked like a circa 1890s living room, and other rooms displayed items, pictures, and texts dealing with local history, in addition to a Fresnel lens that the lighthouse keeper had to light with kerosene. Anyway, after taking pictures of this lighthouse and other close by sights: the Pavilion, the ocean and beach, the non-commercial boardwalk, and some grand-looking Victorian houses along Ocean Avenue, I ate a picnic lunch and called it a relaxing day. A short drive to the nearby town of Manasquan with over 40 businesses in the downtown, that someone described as a “Normal Rockwell painting,” could make for a full day!   

Thompson Park

      Thursday, May 6, 2021: Middlesex County’s largest park (675 acres), Thompson Park, Thompson Drive and Lakeview Avenue, Monroe Township (732-745-3900) included plenty of activities in practicing different sports, a few playgrounds, and trails for hiking. In addition, there was a lake for fishing, picnic areas, and an animal haven/zoo. When I was there, I ate my lunch near the lake, and later, I saw the animals: several white-tailed deer, goats, and hogs, as well as chickens, ducks, and geese. Other birds included ring necked pheasants, an emu, and peacocks, including a white peacock. Speaking of animals, another area of this park offered a dog park in two sections for large and small dogs where the public could let their four-footed friends run freely. Overall, you could visit here and be as active or relaxing as you want—and the same goes for your dog!