For those of us who live on the Jersey Shore, the beach is our solace, our home, and the home of many adventures and memories. For those of us who live in Monmouth County, New Jersey, Manasquan Inlet is more than that.
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When you drive as far south east as you can before hitting point pleasant New Jersey, you'll reach a right angled piece of beach with a bunch of weird looking rocks jutting out from the shore. To the non-shore local, this would just look like a normal beach, but to us year-round residents, it's home.
Parking facing Point Pleasant Beach, the smell of seawater and salt enter your lungs. As you step out of your car and onto the pavement the smell intensifies. Walking towards the beach one would most likely pass fishermen and others in their cars, laughing or music playing almost audible enough to reach the other side of the inlet-but that side isn't home. As you reach the sand and hop onto the rocks, the Atlantic Ocean is at your disposal and finally you reach the place of serenity and adventure.
It's not just an ordinary place though. If it’s not people surfing the waves or walking towards the end of the jetty, there are people in line at Carlson's Corner, the local ice cream spot that even our parents used to go to. In the daytime, the beach is bustling with people of all ages locals and out of towner's a like.
The Riverside Cafe, with the best fish sandwiches around usually serves up the usual pork roll and cheese on a hard roll and the outside seating makes this view even better. After a meal at Carlson's or the Riverside one would most likely be found watching the surfers or fishing. Here, everyone is in agreement of one thing: this place is magical. At night though, the dynamic changes.
The inlet at night is usually pretty empty. With people relaxing in their cars and teens riding their bikes to who knows where, its quiet. With the cars lined up facing Point Pleasant, the occasional headlight braille communication can be seen. Though, nobody truly knows what anyone is actually saying. Some of the best conversations have been had at that inlet for generations and sometimes people just "watch the submarines." Whatever you’re there for, it's the charm of the shore.
If and when you're around on a Thursday night after the Fourth of July, you may be able to catch Jenkinson's fireworks from across the inlet. Prop up a beach chair or walk on the jetty's and watch the lightshow every Thursday night-a tradition for locals and a favorite time to hangout with friends and family. Words cannot describe how beautiful and charming the fireworks look over the ocean.
I always say to my non-local friends the charm of the inlet cannot be understood unless you have immersed yourself in the shore culture that few are lucky to grow up in. Regardless of who you are, the inlet is a place that many will visit, but few will ever be lucky enough to call home. So next time you step onto the sand, don't forget to appreciate the moments you've had there, and the moments to come.
