"Down the Shore"

Well, it only took us six years to get to the Jersey shore.  We went for the day to rendezvous with some old Portland friends, Tony and Robyn, who moved to Michigan a couple of years after we moved to Philly, and who also happen to have family near Seaside Park, New Jersey.  Besides the fact that you have to PAY ($12 a person!!!) to walk on the overly crowded beach (we just looked at it from the boardwalk), we were pleasantly surprised by our Jersey shore experience and will definitely try to make it back next summer.  Though perhaps it was Robyn and Tony, along with their sweet 4-year old son, Roman, who made our first east coast beach trip the fun that it was.

We met up at the home of friends of Tony and Robyn.  Roman and Oscar got acquainted over dirt and water in the yard.  Not a bad way to meet someone, really.

 We took a walk down the boardwalk to see what all a "boardwalk" consists of.  Basically, a wooden walkway leading to and through a permanent county fair (without the live animals and with an arcade as noisy and bling-y as a casino).

We played Ski Ball.

Roman and Oscar raced cars.  Oscar didn't need quarters to make his car interesting.  Gotta' enjoy that while it lasts...

John, Oscar, and Roman played pinball.  Quarters required.

We watched the rides.

And Oscar went on his first "ride"-- a train that went around a little track.

After dinner, some tasty boardwalk treats, and more hanging out, we said adios to our sweet friends, hopped in the car, and managed to catch this before heading inland.  We can now happily add "down the shore" to the places we've been.