Dirty Jersey aka All You Need to Know About the Garden State
The year 1974 was a good year as it marked Nixon's resignation and my arrival on the planet, specifically in Jersey. I've lived here my whole life -- go RU! Summer vacations were spent in motels in Seaside Heights. Hot bagels are the only valid bagels. Diners are life - two words - gravy fries. Jersey corn and tomatoes in the summer are unrivaled. I will come for you if call it anything other than Taylor Ham. My exits are 165 and 82 on the Garden State Parkway. Hiram's over Callahan's for hot dogs. After prom, going Down the Shore is the only option. Malls are also life. I earned my Bridge & Tunnel badge at Limelight & Palladium. As required by state law, I have seen both Springsteen and Bon Jovi live.
Where to Go
August 2, 2022
Sunfish Pond at the Delaware Water Gap is a must hike. Was this the pond where my then-boyfriend ruminated that we might be better as friends? Yes. Did we eventually get married, have three kids, celebrate 24 years of marriage and mark 30 years together this September? Yes. I'm not bitter. I'm not holding on to that conversation, not at all.
In any case, potentially life changing conversations aside, for those who don't enjoy a hike, this is motivation to join those who do as it is a reward. It's a gorgeous venue and enjoying a well deserved lunch sitting by the pond is amazing. The hike back is all downhill so it is a perfect compromise for those who are hike friendly and those who are hike averse.
In any case, potentially life changing conversations aside, for those who don't enjoy a hike, this is motivation to join those who do as it is a reward. It's a gorgeous venue and enjoying a well deserved lunch sitting by the pond is amazing. The hike back is all downhill so it is a perfect compromise for those who are hike friendly and those who are hike averse.
July 24, 2022
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It's summer and we head Down the Shore this time of year in the Garden State. Island Beach State Park is a gem -- you can enjoy the beaches, fish, go birding, explore wetlands along the bay and more. Bonus for this year, IBSP has free admission so there's no cost for a day of fun. For those in the know, this park fills up fast so if you want to make a day of it, leave early to ensure you get in before the park hits capacity. Fun fact, you can drive your vehicle onto certain beaches. You'll note my youngest deflating the tires of "Truckie" my husband's pandemic Ebay purchase. Truckie then proceeded to get stuck on the beach and strangers helped my husband and after an hour, we were liberated. Needless to say, Truckie went to Kars for Kids in early 2022. The Great Truck Experiment was a failure. Although I suppose when you buy a vehicle on Ebay, have your friend who owns a flatbed tow truck take you to the asphalt factory on Staten Island where it is being stored unregistered, the writing was likely on the wall.
And yes, this is the same beach that launched a million Chris Christie memes.
And yes, this is the same beach that launched a million Chris Christie memes.
July 23, 2022
Thomas Edison National Historic Park is a gem located in West Orange. It's run by the National Park Service and tours of Edison's laboratory and nearby home are available. My parents took me as a kid when we were out on one of our Sunday Drives -- if you know, you know my fellow blue collar kids from the 80s. You people would be stumbling around in the dark if it wasn't for this genius and his crack staff working around the clock to invent the lightbulb right here in the Garden State.
I can still remember being fascinated that there was a cot in the lab. Edison was so obsessed - or dedicated, depending on how you see it - that he often slept in the lab taking cat naps so he could finish his inventions faster than his rivals like Nikola Tesla. Edison may have been born in Ohio, but he clearly adopted a Jersey attitude.
I can still remember being fascinated that there was a cot in the lab. Edison was so obsessed - or dedicated, depending on how you see it - that he often slept in the lab taking cat naps so he could finish his inventions faster than his rivals like Nikola Tesla. Edison may have been born in Ohio, but he clearly adopted a Jersey attitude.
Where to Eat
August 2, 2022
Photo courtesy of Cafe Archetypus
If you were in high school in the late 80s, early 90s in Bergen County there was a destination for dessert in Edgewater - Enigma. My friends and I would head east on Rt. 4 from Teaneck and take River Road (the original) to Enigma for amazing dessert. While the desserts were great, it was also the ambiance as a sculptor had created a cave environment inside. Flash forward many years (my class is celebrating our 30th reunion this year), sigh. However, Enigma lives on in a new incarnation - Cafe Archetypus!
July 24, 2022
White House Subs has been an Atlantic City institution since 1946. Many years and pants sizes ago, I was working for WNBC in New York as an associate producer and was assigned to interview the head of the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority. We were also there to interview the folks at the brand new Wild Wild West Casino that was opening in July 1997. Howie Gawa, my cameraman that day, said he had to take me to White House Subs so I could get a true experience in Atlantic City before we headed back to New York. It has been 25 years and I can still remember how great that sub was -- Howie did not lie. If you go, you have to hit the Arctic Avenue location not the one in the Hard Rock for the full experience. The place is always jammed and the walls are filled with photos, autographs and more of the luminaries who've passed through the shop.
You might also be wondering why a 23-year-old newbie was sent to AC to do these interviews. Sue Simmons, the legendary anchor, wasn't fond of traveling far to do interviews so I got to ask the questions off-camera and her voice was added to the story during editing. Her loss was my gain and led to great experiences - including one of the best sandwiches I ever had.
You might also be wondering why a 23-year-old newbie was sent to AC to do these interviews. Sue Simmons, the legendary anchor, wasn't fond of traveling far to do interviews so I got to ask the questions off-camera and her voice was added to the story during editing. Her loss was my gain and led to great experiences - including one of the best sandwiches I ever had.
July 23, 2022
Photo courtesy of Hiram's
It was the Battle of the Dogs -- two rival roadside stands competing in Fort Lee for total world hot dog dominance. On the right, it was Callahan's. To the left, it was Hiram's. For me, Hiram's was the winner hands down. Give me a deep fried oversized hot dog with mustard only please, crispy fries and a beer and let's call it a day. Callahan's has since left their Fort Lee location so you could say Hiram's is the victor. Hell, even the late great Anthony Bourdain stopped here and featured Hiram's on his Parts Unknown show.
Hiram's is open seven days a week from 11 AM to 8:30 PM -- dine-in or takeout, no delivery. You want a dog? Well, then you can come and get it yourself. You don't get more Jersey than that folks.
Hiram's is open seven days a week from 11 AM to 8:30 PM -- dine-in or takeout, no delivery. You want a dog? Well, then you can come and get it yourself. You don't get more Jersey than that folks.