Down the Shore

We've been pretty much playing the role of slugs lately but today we decided to do a little road trip. In New Jersey, the idiom for describing a visit to beach is "Goin' down the shore". Hard to believe it's been five months since the Astrals have seen the ocean. And that was that cold, cold Pacific out in San Diego.  Today 

we went totally Atlantic. And the sea air made us crave cod. Act now before the extinction!

The day started beautifully so we figured we'd head down the shore. 

On the drive down, ( about an hour) we started to second guess our
decision because the early sunshine gave way to mostly

overcast skies. When we got to Point Pleasant, though, 

the sun came out and stayed out for most of our visit. Cool. 

Point Pleasant is kind of a weird place since the beach is actually

owned by a commercial enterprise, Jenkinson's. I think 

New Jersey is the only state where the beach

 is not free in most places. So much for 

my illusions of Quadrophenia.

Astral Wendy got right to work.

Yes, I do need to go on a diet.

Gulls, of course.

I'm pretty sure that palm trees are not indigenous to New Jersey.

Let go into the illusion.

There's been a few hurricanes and tropical storms passing through.

I think this was a hunk of flotsam (or perhaps jetsom) collected

by the local authorites.

Yeah, there's a kitschy boardwalk. Who would want

to take this home? And then live with the unnameable

fear?

Ditto for clowny.

Close enough for Ozzie fans.

Hurtricane Katia was offshore so the surf did a little bit of pounding.

Swimming was banned. OK for us, since we weren't prepared.

Ever since I was a young boy,

I've played the silver ball.

From Soho down to Brighton

I must have played them all.

But I ain't seen nothing like him

In any amusement hall.*

Step right up, step right up, step right up
Everyone's a winner, bargains galore
That's right, you too can be the proud owner
Of the quality goes in before the name goes on
One-tenth of a dollar, one-tenth of a dollar, we got service after sales
You need perfume? we got perfume, how 'bout an engagement ring?
Something for the little lady, something for the little lady
Something for the little lady, hmm
Three for a dollar**

The nice thing about semi-off season New Jersey shore is the lack of crowds.

Cheesecake boat's acomin'...We'll party tonight.

Oh! The humanity!

Do you know the way to Staten Island? Just talkin' 'bout Snooki. 

That cat Snooki is a mean mutha-f---. Shut yer mouth. Just talkin' 'bout Snooki!

The Astrals love a rainbow. You should too.

If I could type with a Scottish accent,  I would.

Back at home. Gonna cook me some cod and

cauliflower. Alliteration works in the kitchen too.

A partially neglected coney chaws some cauliflower greens.

Oh Yes! Baked cod with roasted tomatoes and panko.

Roasted cauliflower tossed with garlic, roasted peppers,

capers, and crushed red pepper. Yowzers! Cotes du Rhone

you say? Yes, the Astrals are red wine people, regardless of

menu. 

*The Who, Pinball Wizard

**Tom Waits. Step Right up