Our friend, Nora, celebrated her birthday recently–and introduced us to a new destination: Sandy Hook, New Jersey. Armed with email directions (meet at Pier 11), instructions for fending off sharks (punch them in the nose), and a highly scientific article declaring that women reach their peak beauty at the age of 31 (Hello, birthday girl!), we rode our bikes down to the Wall Street piers and boarded the American Princess Ferry with a dozen or so friends.
The 30 or 40-minute ride was gorgeous: after passing Lady Liberty and Ellis Island (and the Red Hook Real World apartment building), you cruise past Staten Island, under the Verrazano Narrows Bridge, and arrive at the barrier peninsula of Sandy Hook.
Most of the peninsula is managed by the
National Park Service, and we were greeted by Park Rangers. Those of us with bikes followed trails to one of the public beaches on the Eastern (Atlantic) shore; those without had the option of a 5-minute bus ride.
Nora and Pat had scoped out the beaches the weekend prior and had decided (wisely, I think) that it might be a little uncomfortable for all of us to go together to the clothing-optional beach. So we settled in just down the shore.
We learned that one can spend their time birding, hiking, biking, fishing, or touring the abandoned military fort while at Sandy Hook–but our goal was to bee-line it to the water. It was insanely hot in the sun (and only a smidgen cooler in the shade).
Goal achieved: The next few hours were spent mostly in the water–which felt amazing. Happily, we had the option to rent an umbrella for $7 (lounge chairs are also available) for the other times.
In fact, the umbrellas proved particularly valuable when, around 3:45, some very dark and very ominous clouds began to move in. Aron checked the weather radar on his iphone and started laughing. About twenty minutes later, we were huddling under said umbrella and holding on tight as we watched others chase theirs across the sand, followed closely by multiple beach balls whipping their way toward the dunes. The initial plan was to wait it out, but it became clear that we should head for more substantial cover. We joined the mass exodus and enjoyed the absurdity of it all: we were by this time being pelted with hail and sand.
There was just enough of a respite to make it to the 4:15 ferry back. And though we were sorry to have to go a few hours earlier than intended, we had a great time on the ride home–making pb&j sandwiches, attempting to get dry, and looking toward the Manhattan skyline.
A repeat trip is now high on my to-do list.
{ 27 comments… read them below or add one }
Sounds like a great day trip. Nothing like a sudden storm to mix things up. Now you all have a fabulous story to tell everybody this week!
I love ferry rides. They just make the destination feel more special. And I don't know how I've gone through life without putting pretzles on my pbj. That looks so good – will definitely have to try that. Happy Monday!
This day trip sounds insanely perfect!!! What I wouldn't do for a weekend at the beach!
awesome
these shots all look really vintage & old
i especially like the first – captures summer
hope you two are well
Yes! I love Sandy Hook (and I love PBJ's with pretzels). Glad others love it, too! The lighthouse there is really beautiful.
i loved sandy hook when i went with a friend last year. what a perfect daytime bday celebration.
what a fun way to celebrate a birthday!!! such a perfect day.
xox
Wow, that looks like so much fun!
I never took full advantage of all the great day trips around the city. Looks like a great way to celebrate a birthday!
Best.Day.Trip.Ever! What fun! Thanks for sharing your day with us.
P.S. I love a good Rolling Rock beer!
I always love your posts about your daytrips!
Thank you, Lucie!
I'll have to check out the lighthouse next time we're there. It was probably the nicest beach I've been to in the under-an-hour-away category. And it's true: a ferry adds to that feeling of a true getaway.
lovely pictures — what did you take them with?
looks like a perfect weekend!
This is so exciting!! I love it, thank you for posting!
That looks so fun! Happy birthday to your friend!
this all looks great. happy you found my blog. ill be back.
This is so great…years ago a friend took me to this incredible beach in NJ managed by the Park Service. I loved it but could never remember where it was or what it was called. This has got to be it, I'm totally planning a day trip out there before the summer's over!
31, eh? Well, what d'ya know, I've hit my prime.
Great photos, thanks for sharing!
Ha! So funny–I had the same (albeit slightly less positive) reaction when her husband sent the article out: downhill from here, eh?
That's awesome, Laura!
I loved that idea! I'm turning 31 this year and I must find a copy of that study.
I love the pictures, what camera and setting did you use for these?
Sounds like a blast…you know, I am browse through your blog more than you think but do not comment nearly as much as I should…you two have the greatest stories to share about all of your adventures in and around NYC and beyond…truly makes me want to travel every time I read it…keep it up and know that I LOVE seeing the world you both are experiencing through hither and thither!
Awww… Dave! And we love you! Say hi to Katy and AS–miss you all.
looks like you had a blast- even with the bad weather. p.s. pretzels are good, but potato chips are better;)
Oh my gosh, what a blast! Your photos are gorgeous.
Ferry rides are the best!!!! Those photos look like so much fun:) Really love your posts and your blog:) I will be back soon…:)
Kisses and see you guys soon:)
I love how vintage the pictures look while still being crystal clear. Mine, alas, are still grainy. You guys look like you have so much fun! A trip up the east coast is now slowly crawling to the top of my "things to do next summer" list.
thanks for the heads up. i have to copy your trip asap. looks perfect!