Discovering the Hidden New Jersey

It had been over two decades since Dana and I had last visited New Jersey, and then for only a short overnight in Atlantic City.  Therefore, my vision of the state has largely been shaped by popular culture:  images of Snooki from Jersey Shore and the "fuggetaboutit"ing Soprano types, peppered with notions of Chris Christie and his bridgegate.  One episode of Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee found Jerry Seinfeld picking Chris Rock up from his gorgeous home in Alpine, NJ, and that certainly piqued my interest.

Of course, pop culture aside, our dear friend Ron has been taking weekend getaways to the Jersey Shore (not Snooki's version of it) for many years.  Just this past year, he decided to enter the world of weekend home ownership (after decades of experiencing the renaissance in the Gramercy neighborhood of his amazing rent controlled apartment) and found the perfect home in the tiny enclave of Loch Arbour, which, with a population of 187 - 202 depending on the website I viewed, is nestled near Deal beach, Allenhurst, Ocean Grove, and Asbury Park in the beautiful Monmouth County.

When our original plans to vacation in Montana this summer proved unrealistic, we immediately reached out to Ron to see if he was up for a visit from the Gallup clan so soon after he had completed his meticulous renovations.  He was excited to see us and for us to experience La Escondida in person.  And, so, we knew we would get a far more realistic (albeit tony and sophisticated) view of this state, as we saw it through Ron's discerning eyes.

First, since the kids had never been to Atlantic City and Ron had to work in NY in the early part of the week, we rented a car in the city and drove to Atlantic City.  You've likely never experienced terror behind the wheel in the same way if you haven't driven in New York City.  That said, somehow Dana, the one actually behind the wheel, seemed far less terrified than the rest of us, as we made our way out of the congested city and onto the parkway, where the traffic was minimal, the trees plentiful, and the tunes, thanks to masterful DJing by Maddie and Daniel, wonderful.

I remarked as we flew into Newark last Saturday how amazed I was by all the green below.  Dana reminded me that New Jersey was called the garden state for a reason, and we certainly got to experience that aspect of the state during our several days exploring it.

not sure this pic does justice to the green below as we flew into Newark, but here you go

If you've ever been to Altantic City, you probably agree that there is not much reason to go back.  I felt that after we went for the first time 25+ years ago, and I was reminded of that fact again during this short visit.  Sure, the boardwalk is kitschy and the gambling opportunities ample, but it's all just sort of bleh....  We opted to stay off the boardwalk in the Borgata, where we got a tremendous suite with a distant view of the ocean.  Having just recently watched Married to the Mob, the whole thing sort of reminded me of the final scenes in that film (though they were filmed in the far more beautiful Fontainebleu).   Since Dana's birthday was on Thursday, June 7th, and he was eager to take advantage of the hotel, we stayed there for indoor pool and hot tubbing, a casual dinner, gambling (for Dana), and a birthday breakfast in the suite before we headed out to the boardwalk and for lunch in the famous White House Sub Shop, where I was convinced we'd gone last time we were in AC, also urged by Adrienne that it was a must stop, but Dana thought was our first visit.  Regardless, the subs are certainly delicious.  Still, it's funny what makes a spot like this so famous over the years, when many sub shops have mastered the art of fresh meats and fantastic breads being the secret to a delicious sandwich.  I guess at the point relatively early on that Frank Sinatra eats there, a fact they proudly display on the wall above the handful of booths where one can dine in, your fate as a place to go is sealed.

a photo of photos from the shop's own website - love the framed towel

The Borgata beckons

Frank Sinatra ate here?! ;P

Bountiful subs (those are the HALF size - note the other half of Dana's half sub on the plate below), served on paper plates with chips in bags, arrive!

Lots of little shops like this pepper the boardwalk, with the Tropicana in the background

The most fun part of the boardwalk, the amusement rides, was not yet open for the season :(

Tummies full and excited to see Ron and find his hidden cottage, we headed back towards Deal.  On the way from NY to AC, we stopped in Eatontown for lunch, our first stop in New Jersey, and were delighted by the somehow simultaneously cranky and friendly waiter, who ribbed Daniel for not buying his own car.  The waiter had been working since 13, so what was Daniel's excuse?!  It was a perfect welcome to NJ, so we were delighted to drive back through Eatontown on the way to Loch Arbour.  We were becoming familiar with this here state!

As we followed our GPS to Ron's address, we were initially perplexed that the road he lived on was not one we could drive on.  We parked on the perpendicular street, walked up Buena Vista Court and saw this vision...

Anybody who knows Ron will not be surprised by the loveliness of his new home or his graciousness and hospitality.  We were shown our rooms, where fresh towels, toiletries and a small printout of the wifi code awaited us, given the grand tour and then headed off to Dana's birthday dinner in Asbury Park.

Serenity Now! is a reality in this quiet court

Trying to capture a photo of Ron smiling (or making his incredulous face, which is almost as fun) became a quest.

The garden was in full bloom after weeks of rain, and the weather was perfect for our visit.

Maddie trying diligently to get that elusive smile...

The birthday boy turns 51

Our next days were spent the way residents of New Jersey would spend them, seeing a new film (Oceans 8 at the Monmouth AMC in the mall, where the boys found comfy chairs while the rest of us shopped a bit)

visiting Sickles Market for food and plants (Ron is no dummy; he knew we'd love the store, and he could pick up some items for La Escondida without having to deal with an uber!)

touring the gorgeous streets of Rumson, Deal, Allenhurst - and admiring the architecture and landscaping.  Watching a couple of films at home - Woody Allen's Wonder Wheel, which Daniel and I admired, Dana and Ron loathed, and Maddie found a few things about it to recommend - and the Netflix original The Kissing Booth, which Ron adored, Daniel declared the best film ever, Maddie and I enjoyed, and Dana tolerated.  And talking and laughing and walking and eating... 

Since 1901!!!  We were here for the ice cream, but I had to get that date in!

Ocean Grove is a "dry" city - no alcohol sold or served here at all, so Friday night was buzzing with dessert seekers!

Stella Marina on the boardwalk in Asbury Park

The Grateful Deli, a breakfast and lunch spot just a block away from Ron's house

 And, of course, always, looking for the perfect spot for... a photo shoot...

Yesterday afternoon, after Andres and Daisy (who first met when they were 14 years old!) arrived from NY to take our places at La Escondida, we reluctantly said farewell and headed off to Delaware (about which I shall blog tomorrow - and more faithfully for the next few days).  Before loading the car and heading to a lovely ocean side farewell lunch with the whole clan, we took one final selfie, and, voila... we managed to get a photograph of Ron smiling!  Success!!

Thank you, Ron, for allowing us to experience the real New Jersey and better understand why it well earns its moniker.  We may have now officially "checked off" this state from our 50, but I'm certain we will be back again whenever La Escondida's gracious host will have us!