Weekend at Long Beach Island




In between Christmas and New Years, my parents and I visited some friends out on Long Beach Island. This past September, to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary, my parents decided to vacation in Barcelona and the South of France on a Viking Cruise ship. On the cruise, they met many couples, including Mr. and Mrs. S. They became fast friends and the S's invited us to spend the weekend with them at their shore house. 

I will admit, although I have lived in Jersey all of my life, I have never really been to the Jersey Shore before! (Shocking, I know). That fact alone was enough reason for me to be excited to visit LBI. Sure, it was December and it was cold, but we had so much fun! The S's are such lovely people, their home is gorgeous, LBI is wonderful, and we had so so much fun!
The family cat, Romeo. He was so fluffy, friendly, and affectionate. 
The family dog, Lady. She was also very cute, very sweet, and really loved getting her belly rubbed!

When we arrived, no time was wasted showing us the island. Mr. S (first name H) is quite the local historian and very knowledgable about the history of LBI. We had arrived rather late in the afternoon and H was insistent that we visit the local landmark, the Barnegut Lighthouse, before it became dark.
Being on the water in late December proved to be very cold, but also very worth it. The beach and water was quite beautiful and we got to see the Coast Guard in action! We also got to see a seal!
Walking along the water at dusk

Panoramic shot of the beach, lighthouse, and water

From the Barnegut Lighthouse, H drove us to the beach. What a gorgeous sight! The beach was completely deserted, with good reason, and the sun was just beginning to set. My parents and I had so much fun walking along the water and picking up shells. (How cliche is that?!) I have never really been a beach person, but this experience I really really enjoyed. A deserted beach is not only tranquil, but also very beautiful. The sunset was also breathtaking. 
Our exploration of LBI continued with H driving us around and giving us a tour. What a beautiful place and the houses are splendid! I also did not realize how rich LBI is with history! Loved every moment of our island tour. 

After the H's tour, we returned home for appetizers, dinner, and drinks. Another couple that my parents met on the Viking cruise, who are longtime friends of the S family, were also staying with the S's for the weekend. Together, there was a fair amount of drinking, eating, and exchanging of stories! 
Romeo lurking
Lady hoping that someone will rub her belly
We woke up to rain, but that didn't deter us!

Although our visit was quite short, a mere 24 hours, we had so much fun! I got to listen to everyone swap stories from the Viking cruise and I also got to meet some very interesting people! H is quite a jolly character and lots of fun to chat with. His wife, M, is quite subdued, but such a lovely woman! H's friend J served during WWII, so I enjoyed chatting with him about his experiences during the war. I have to say, I really enjoyed my time at LBI! I hope we get to come back soon!
The S family's "shore Christmas tree"


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Gordon Ramsay's Cheesy Potato Dauphinoise

Image
I am fairly impressionable --- at least when it comes to cooking. When I see a recipe or a dish that intrigues me, I become obsessed and determine to give it a go. I have been obsessively watching Come Dine With Me  for at least one month and a dish that keeps popping up is: Potato Dauphionoise. I've eaten this side dish a couple times in my life, but not recently. It looked so delicious and easy to make, and I was determined to try my hand at this posh looking side. As per usual, I consulted the internet to look for recipes. As most of you know, I am obsessed with Gordon Ramsay. He is always my go to. If he doesn't have a recipe for something I want to make, I'm always feel a little lost, but luckily, that wasn't the case this time. I was delighted to have stumbled upon Gordon Ramsay's "Gratin Dauphonoise." He has yet to let me down and you know what, this dish was a winner! Something that I am adding to my repertoire.  This dish was incredibly e
Read more

Truffle Cream Cheese & Chive Spread

Image
So, I realize that this post is rather late…but I figure, better late than never, right? Over New Years, I was searching for recipes online, when I stumbled upon a new Gordon Ramsay recipe. As we all know, I LOVE Gordon Ramsay, in fact, I should probably just change my username to that.  Chef Ramsay has a recipe for a deliciously decadent, but oh so easy truffle cream cheese spread, and I couldn't resist. The ingredients are simple, you may even have most of them, and it takes no more than ten minutes to make. Oh, and it's delicious.  Whether you are entertaining guests or spending time alone, this spread is perfect for all occasions. It's great with bread and crackers, it's also delicious with grapes. The fluffiness of the cream cheese/sour cream, coupled with the decadence and amazing aroma of the truffle oil makes this a really luxurious spread that everyone will love! For Gordon Ramsay's video, please click this link .  Ingredients: - small con
Read more

Tawaraya - One of Kyoto's Most Famous and Oldest Ryokans

Image
On this visit to Kyoto, rather than stay at a hotel, my parents and I were fortunate enough two spend two nights at the very famous and exclusive Tawaraya ryokan . Tawaraya is considered one of the most famous and posh ryokans in Japan. Past guests have included Steven Spielberg, Alfred Hitchcock, and even Marlon Brando! (Many famous Japanese people have stayed here as well, but these three just popped into my head). We made our reservation one year in advance, but even then, we had difficulty getting a room!  To quote Wikipedia: "A ryokan ( 旅館 ) is a type of traditional Japanese inn that originated in the Edo Period (1603 ~ 1868), when such inns served travelers along Japan's highways. They typically feature tatami-matted rooms, communal baths, and other public areas where visitors may wear yukata and talk with the owner…Most ryokans offer dinner and breakfast, which are often included in the price of the room. Most visitors take their meals at the ryokan, which usuall
Read more