It has been over a decade since I have purchased beach tags for any shore destination and it is unlikely that I will ever purchase them again. There are plenty of free beach options that allow for "beach fun". One can visit less monitored beaches, Atlantic City beaches, Wildwood beaches, and less popular bay beaches in Ocean City where locals take their dogs. Back in the day, my mother brought my sisters and I to Margate, NJ to escape the oppressive summer heat at our home that had no air conditioning. It was probably a 40 minute ride from Hammonton, NJ. We usually spent the day sunbathing and listening to a transistor radio. Our mother supplied cool drinks and sandwiches that were neatly wrapped like little gifts in wax paper. We would lay in the sun with brief intervals of running and jumping into the surf to cool off. I always preferred strolling along in the shallow water looking for seashore creatures over actually swimming in the surf.
Today my beach strolls may consist of picking up shells, driftwood, smooth sea glass, and small stones. I will even pick up broken pieces of trash that have been in some way renewed in the constant tumbling action of the ocean. I favor small stones over shells especially those with unique color and texture properties. Colorful tiny clams (northern coquinas), calico crabs, starfish, sand crabs and other sea creatures still capture my attention. When I see that seaweed with the the air pockets, I remember hearing that this natural material was used for bedding when nothing better was to be had. Possibly this seaweed bedding prevented typical bed bugs to flourish in all the saltiness. So the following photos are from my mid-August visit to Brigantine Beach.
Prickly Pear cacti can be found in many locations in the sandy soils of southern New Jersey.
I thought these were a type of grape but it is Virgina Creeper. I have this growing in my yard but rarely has fruit so that is why I was unfamiliar with the "fruits".
https://www.google.com/search?q=virginia+creeper+berries&biw=1366&bih=667&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=yIEpVI7TBcKTyATEmYH4CA&sqi=2&ved=0CB0QsAQ
My car from the look out building near the most northern end of Brigantine Beach, looking south:
Bayberry
View of the Revel. The casino recently announced their closing.
This vine can be found growing in my yard but this red color is probably a bit advanced in its "fall" colors because of the dry summer:
Most likely sweet peas:
Mailbox fit for the shore:
I believe this is called the monkey puzzle tree. It does well in areas near salt water. I thought it was a sub-tropical species since I remember seeing these trees in Florida but I think they are able to tolerate cooler weather.
Another blog I enjoyed on sea creatures:
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