Scoff if you want, but there is no denying a bit of hometown pride when two political power hitters come to town.
During Superstorm Sandy, 360,000 homes were damaged or destroyed: there are still roadblocks up on parts of Ocean Avenue (this road runs through much of Monmouth and Ocean Counties). There are still homes pushed up and off their foundations, some still bear the scars of the storm ripping off whole sections of house.
Governor Christie was supposed to come this weekend, literally down my block, but the weather was abysmal. He was making stops north from Seaside Heights, Point Pleasant, Belmar—where he cut the 5-mile long ribbon officially opening the Jersey Shore—but skipped us because of the wind and rain. Politics aside, he did take charge during the storm, and his frequent press conferences were encouraging.
Just days after the storm, helicopters from the nearby military bases were a common sight, what was startling was seeing a Chinook(?) transport ‘copter do a ‘touch-n-go at the bottom of my block! That was jaw-dropping. Sadly, none of us was quick enough to snap a pix, drat.
BTW Gov Christie and Snookie met up on the boardwalk and he was polite. Someone said that since she is a "Jersey Girl" he should be nicer to her. Let me make this clear, she is from Staten Island . . . THAT is in New York! She does not represent our youth, and "cleaning out her closet ..." for donations didn't impress many.
Today we did take a ride into Asbury Park to see the President but we were turned away; advance tickets were required and we didn’t have them, but we did watch his press conference.
Hey, even President Obama’s raincoat has the Presidential seal! I want one: after all, I was there, in the rain, during his first inauguration, as a chaperone for my Upward Bound students. Exhausting, exciting, and the same lousy weather, so I have earned that rain slicker. Ha.
It was encouraging for our area to make the news, in a good way.
So today's lousy weather aside, the Jersey Shore has great food, incredible restaurants, great rock ‘n roll, the most fun boardwalks anywhere, and I mean anywhere! Our Boardwalks are like a carnival mid-way: the smell of food, the best sausage and pepper sandwiches, cold beer, flashing arcades, miles of beaches, the smell of salt air (and suntan lotion) and endless ice cream stands.
My dog may not go on the beach anymore, but that water is clear, warm, and so inviting! Buses and trains come right to our door, come see us, and as that Motel 6 guy used to say, “We’ll leave the lights on.”
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