The “Not so Local” Summer…..
All along the Jersey shore, the residents that live here year round, have celebrated Local Summer each September. Local Summer has been described as that “wonderfully joyous moment “when the tourists and summer residents have finally departed, usually beginning on Labor Day and ending in early October. This has consistently been a time when the year round residents can reconnect with their friends and family at their favorite restaurant or watering hole….without having to make a reservation well in advance or stand in a long entry line. It is when you can ride your bike, or take a run, or stroll along the beach…..and the only sound you hear is your own breath or the crashing of the waves in the distance. Local Summer.
This year, however, I anticipate that Local Summer will not be that “Local”. If the Springtime is any indication, I do believe that September will be a busy month on the Jersey Shore. I, for one, have spent the 22 past years that we have owned our home on Long Beach Island, lamenting the return to reality that slaps you in the face on Labor Day weekend. Each year, we depart the island, planning to get back down to enjoy the beautiful month of September. But life gets in the way, and we have come to realize, that departing on Labor Day is our “end of summer” But not this year! With the Covid-19 restrictions still in place, we are working virtually, and volunteering virtually. So why not stay in our oasis?
With that in mind, here are a few things I plan to do during my first Local Summer….
I plan to bike the entire island with my friend Wendy. We usually force this into the last week of August, but this year, we can wait for the roads to be a bit less crowded. We bike north from Beach Haven, we take our annual photo in the shadow of the Barnegat Lighthouse, we have a light breakfast at Andy’s, and then we head back south. It is a wonderful way to spend a morning.
I plan to hitch another ride on our neighbors’ boat to The Boatyard, for some street fish tacos and a dubious looking, yet delicious Blue Titos Vodka “concoction”.
I plan to get on that Pedal Cycle with some friends and party along the streets of downtown Beach Haven.
I plan to bike to the Pickleball Courts, and finally get a consistent game going.
I plan to shop local….hitting the Spotted Whale, How To Live, Sandy Banks, and Sink R Swim….scooping up some early Christmas gifts for once.
I plan to finally get to the rooftop of Tuckers, hopefully for one of LBI’s iconic sunsets
I plan to bike to The Triton on Center Street and enjoy those freshly harvested September crop of Barnegat Bay’s Sugar Shack oysters with a “Hop and Hazy” IPA brewed right here on the island.
I plan to spend some quality time with neighbors, recapping our unusual summer, but realizing how blessed we are to be here, in our bubble.
So brace yourself, Jersey Shore residents, you might just have to wait for Local Fall to find your peace.
