Tuckerton Seaport

      Friday, December 30, 2022: After visiting the New Jersey Maritime Museum in Beach Haven, I headed toward another nautical attraction in Ocean County: Tuckerton Seaport, 120 West Main Street, Tuckerton (609-296-8868). During the 1960s and ‘70s, my family and I used to go fishing and crabbing along the inlets near the bay in Tuckerton. Years later, this museum & reproduced seaport opened in the early years of the 21st century. The date above had been the first time I’ve been in this area for years. Therefore, the first place I headed to was the lighthouse in this mock seaport village. Inside, the ground floor displayed exhibit areas by way of texts, pictures, and exhibit items covering such subjects as the Lenni-Lenape Native-Americans, movers & shakers from Tuckerton’s past, local industries from the past, and so forth. On the upper floor, the staff presented temporary exhibit themes. When I was there I saw Christmas trees and other holiday decorations dating back through the 20th century. As for the village itself, I walked along a boardwalk surrounding a creek, and this boardwalk included entering different small buildings that presented the businesses one would have found in a typical seaport village. In each of them, texts, pictures, and historic items gave more details of each place: fishery, hotel, and surfing, as well as hunting, livestock—with live goats and sheep nearby, decoy carving, oystering, clamming, a folk life center, etc. I found it a fascinating place!      

NJ Maritime Museum

     Friday, December 30, 2022: In a nautical mood, I traveled to Ocean County, New Jersey and visited the NJ Maritime Museum, 528 Dock Road, Beach Haven on Long Beach Island (609-492-0202). Upon entering, I thought that this museum would contain a few exhibit areas, but I was wrong! A friendly guide told me that on two floors, there were several exhibit areas showing items from floor to ceiling. Therefore, by way of texts, pictures, videos, and many exhibit items, I learned quite a bit about NJ’s role near the sea, on the sea, and under the sea. Many of the stuff on display were things recovered from shipwrecks, uniforms worn by navy, coastguard, and United States Life Saving Service personnel, as well as deep sea diving outfits, equipment used on ships, lighthouse objects including a Fresnel lens, examples of animal life in and near the sea, and much more. In an area about shipwrecks, the museum had a room detailing what happened before, during, and after the 1934 fire onboard the Morro Castle.  I also looked at plenty of boat and ship models as well as an area about fishing, especially a Women’s Surf Fishing Club exhibit, and photos of NJ storms. If I had stopped to read and study everything, I would have to have made a return visit or more. As it was, I spent a few hours here at this “must see” attraction that has been opened year round.  

Cattus Island

      Monday, December 19, 2022: I was at a New Jersey state park earlier in the day, but later, I arrived at an Ocean County, NJ park: Cattus Island County Park, 1170 Cattus Island Boulevard, Toms River (732-270-6960). Back in 1895, John Cattus bought this island and used it for a vacation home. Years later, it became part of the Ocean County Parks & Recreation system. The first thing I did was enter the Cooper Environmental Center where I learned more about the local natural history of the area. By way of texts, pictures, and different kinds of exhibits, I saw live animals such as reptiles, amphibians, and fish as well as other animals represented in carvings and taxidermy. I also noticed some interactive exhibits for children. Other activities at this park included eight hiking trails where the three ecosystems included a forest area, a salt marsh, and the natural area of Barnegat Bay! Near the Environmental Center was a picnic area, playground, bird observation blinds, a boat launch, and a butterfly garden. The Center also had a room for temporary exhibits. When I was there, I glanced at several gingerbread houses, and the surrounding area displayed holiday decorations. Overall, this whole day was a good introduction to what creatures and plants lived in this area. 

Double Trouble

      Monday, December 19, 2022: Because it was a bright sunny day, I decided to travel to Ocean County, New Jersey, and visit the following place: Double Trouble State Park, 581 Pinewald-Keswick Road, Bayville (609-726-1191). Despite the name, this place was once a thriving company town. As far back as the 1700s, there once was a lumber industry here until early in the 20th century. Another industry that gave fame to this place was the growing of cranberries, starting in the 1860s. The town reached its peak in the early 1900s. As for the name “Double Trouble,” there have been stories about the town’s earthen dam breaking twice in one year. By 1964, the State of NJ bought the property, but by then cranberry profits had decreased. Nowadays, some of the mostly early 20th-century buildings have been standing in this former village: the cranberry packing house, the supervisor’s home, the company store, and so forth. When I was there, the only building opened was the information center that provided brochures and men’s & ladies’ rooms. Meanwhile, signs around the area explained, via texts and pictures, the history of the area, and other signs covered more about the natural life nearby, both flora and fauna. For a closer look at the natural life, this park offered six trails located over service roads toward the former cranberry bogs that nature has been reclaiming. Anyway, I learned more about how life was lived here in the past and in the present!      

Seaside Heights

      Tuesday, December 13, 2022: After visiting Island Beach State Park, I next headed north toward a place in Ocean County, New Jersey, that my parents used to take me to in the 1960s and ‘70s: Seaside Heights (732-793-9100). Of course, back then, we visited during a summer day that included the crowds, but everything along the boardwalk was opened: the arcades, the carnival games, and the amusements, as well as the stores, the eating places, and the beach. This time around, however, I had a different experience because it was off season. It felt strange seeing the mostly closed businesses. Anyway, because there were no crowds, it felt more relaxing. I saw a few people here and there, including some men in wetsuits with surfboards, and a few places were opened such as the arcade section of Casino Pier, 800 Ocean Terrace (732-793-6488), where I played a few computerized games. In addition, I also noticed that some stores were opened, and I ate a great slice of pizza at another place opened year round: JR’s Ocean Bar & Grill, 601 Boardwalk (732-793-0800). Here, I encountered a friendly staff as I enjoyed my pizza and soda. The pizza slice was very large and not greasy! Another bonus for being at Seaside Heights this time of year was seeing it decorated for the holidays.    

Island Beach State Park

      Tuesday, December 13, 2022: I took another day trip within Ocean County, New Jersey. This time I spent part of the day at Island Beach State Park, 2401 Central Avenue, Seaside Park (732-793-0506). Many years ago, I visited here, but I only went during the summer and stayed in the swimming area. This time it was off season, and because of that, I didn’t have to pay any admission. Meanwhile in the swimming area, where I picnicked, it seemed as though I had this white sand beach to myself! In addition to the swimming area, I also saw more places at this state park than I had ever seen on my last visit, including the many dunes with its flora & fauna—especially birds. (I read that there are many foxes on this island, but I didn’t see any.) My favorite stop at the nature center proved educational and enlightening. Although the inside of the center was closed for the season, I did look at some outside exhibits and several signs displaying pictures & texts about the nearby animal life, both on land and in the ocean, and more about the plant life around here. Overall, for this time of year, it proved to be a relaxing place to spend a few hours.      

Jackson Premium Outlets

     Wednesday, December 7, 2022: After doing a bit of shopping in New Egypt, I later visited another shopping area in Ocean County, New Jersey: Jackson Premium Outlets, 537 Monmouth Road, Jackson (732-833-0503). Unlike the market at New Egypt, the founders of this outlet shopping center had it built from scratch in a late-1800s-looking exterior. The insides of these buildings contained many brand-name outlet stores offering “bargains.” (Please keep in mind that most of those clothes may have a brand-name label, but most likely, they were made in a different factory from the same brands sold in department stores. Therefore, a dress that might cost over $100 in a department store was made in a factory using good materials and good workmanship. Meanwhile, at quick glance, the similar-looking outlet dress for about $10 was made in another factory of cheaper materials, and the workmanship will not be as good. Nevertheless, if you keep this in mind, you can find bargains—just as long as you know what you are bringing home!) Most of the stores sold clothing, but I did see a few shoe stores, accessory stores, jewelry stores, furniture stores, snack food stores, and so on. (As far as I knew, I didn’t see much of a difference in the outlet version of these other stores, especially in the snack foods and accessories.) If you are in the area, it is worth a stop.    

New Egypt

      Wednesday, December 7, 2022: In a quest to do some sightseeing on the date above, I also did some shopping and browsing in Ocean County, New Jersey. The first place I visited was the New Egypt Flea Market Village, 933 Monmouth Road, New Egypt (609-758-2082). Unlike other flea markets, this place contained a “village” of small buildings once located in other parts of NJ. The latest buildings, from the 1970s, had once been barracks from Fort Dix. Nowadays, around 40 plus vendors painted and decorated these buildings in different ways and colors! Even if you didn’t buy too much, just walking around here and looking at the buildings was interesting enough, but looking inside, browsing, and sometimes buying the merchandise added to the enjoyment. In addition, on warmer days, many vendors also displayed their goods for sale on outside tables in front of the buildings. The stuff for sale included books, antiques, and collectibles, as well as furniture, household goods, toys, clothing, accessories, jewelry, hardware, etc. Meanwhile, the quality of the items being sold ranged from valuable to pure junk—and much in between. This market operated on Wednesdays and Sundays—rain or shine. Chances are that if you visit this place, you will come away buying something.    

Jenkinson's Aquarium

      Friday, December 2, 2022: After walking through part of the campus of Georgian Court University, I headed toward Point Pleasant Beach in Ocean County, New Jersey to see the sea or what has been in or near the sea: Jenkinson’s Aquarium, 300 Ocean Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach (732-899-1212). This mid-sized aquarium contained two floors of exhibit areas via water tanks, other animal enclosures, and marine animal exhibit items, as well as videos, pictures, and texts. Among the animals presented, I saw seals, sharks, and many different kinds of fish. Other areas displayed monkeys, parrots, and an area showing the flora & fauna of the NJ Pinelands—and that was just the upper floor. On the ground floor, the aquarium exhibited jellyfish, stingrays, fish from off the NJ Coast, as well as a coral reef, a Pacific habitat, turtles, penguins, and other creatures: fish, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals who either live in or near or near both salt- and fresh-waterways or both. Whew! Because I was there in the off season and near the holidays, there was plenty of parking nearby, and I also saw the aquarium decorated for the Christmas season. No matter what time of year you visit, you are sure to have an educated and entertaining few hours here.       

Georgian Court University

      Friday, December 2, 2022: Ocean County, New Jersey was another county that I decided to visit for 2022/’23, and the first place I went to became a brief stop to see the Italian Garden at the Sister Mary Grace Burns Arboretum on the campus of Georgian Court University, 400 Lakewood Avenue, Lakewood (732-987-2373). Upon arriving, we had to present an ID at the gatehouse, and the guard gave us a campus map. Anyway, of the four main gardens: Italian, Formal, Sunken, and Japanese, only the Italian Garden was opened to the public that day. In addition to the main gardens, this campus also had several smaller gardens. Nevertheless, even during the off season, the Italian Garden looked impressive along with the rest of the landscaping at this university campus. Here, I saw some conifer trees along with Roman-styled statues, urns, and fountains, as well as benches, an eagle/dragon statue, and the Apollo Fountain. It made for an interesting brief walk! A nearby welcome center provided mens & ladies rooms, and on certain days, tours of the campus started from here. 

Haddonfield, NJ

      Thursday, December 1, 2022: I have been very familiar with Haddonfield, New Jersey, because I visited this town since I was a child, and I lived there for a few years. This has been a very interesting town to explore with its downtown of shops, restaurants, and other businesses housed in buildings from the 18th-, 19th-, and 20th-century, especially along Kings Highway. A lot of history took place here as well. It was in this town when certain officials decided to proclaim that NJ was no longer a colony but a state. If you visit no other place in Haddonfield, you should visit the Indian King Tavern, 233 Kings Highway East (856-429-6792). Here was where those officials in 1777 met on the upper floor in The Assembly Room and decided to make NJ a state. The interior looked similar to many taverns/inns from the 1700s, and another room on the upper floor, the Dolly Madison room, included a bed where she slept, but not in the inn. Dolly stayed at a house nearby. On the ground floor, the guide showed me the bar room and the Keeping Room where workers brought in the food from the kitchen located behind the tavern. Throughout the year, both the tavern itself and the town played host to different events, especially during the holiday season. Nevertheless, during anytime of the year, it has been worth visiting Haddonfield for a day or more to get your share of shopping, history, art, and culture. In my opinion, it’s the best place to visit in Camden County, NJ!