Sunday, August 15, 2010

The Beautiful Jersey Shore

I took a break from blogging this past week since my brother was visiting from California.  I look forward to catching up on everyone's blog postings this week.  Unfortunately, I recently took vacation time from work and was only able to take one extra day off this past week.  For my day off, we decided to stay close to home and visited Island Beach State Park, which is about five minutes from Seaside Heights, home of the "Jersey Shore" house.   Well, the park may be close to the boardwalk area of Seaside, but it is also worlds away, and it highlights the beauty of coastal New Jersey.  This is probably one of the last places that you would find Snooki and crew!    Oh, and by the way, I have lived in New Jersey my whole life and the MTV show couldn't be any further from a true depiction of the Jersey Shore that I know and love!  If you have never visited the beach towns of New Jersey, please do- they are just lovely. 

Island Beach State Park is $6 per car load on weekdays and $10 on weekends - a bargain!  There are lots of trails to hike, and it's a great place to fish, crab, and ride bikes.   You can see lots of wildlife including osprey, foxes, turtles, and butterflies.  It is a great place for a picnic lunch or a lobster bake. 

Along the way, there is a great homemade donut shop, one of the few remaining in Central New Jersey.  The shop is Obco's on Fischer Boulevard in Toms River just across the bridge from Seaside.  The donuts are made fresh every morning and the shop closes once they are sold out.  This place has been around for years, and the donuts are light and delicious.  Don't worry- you can get lots of exercise at the park to work off the donuts!   
Donuts from Obco's - 547 Fischer Boulevard, Toms River, NJ

10 comments:

  1. I hope you had a wonderful time visiting with your brother! The pictures are really beautiful, Jen! The donuts look pretty amazing too! ;)

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  2. Donuts...a weakness of mine! Nice photography too.

    Have fun with your family!

    Carmen

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  3. I had forgotten how gorgeous the jersey Shore can be. Is your daughter getting set for her first year at college? I hope you are having a wonderful day. Blessings...Mary.

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  4. Island Beach State Park is my favorite place at the Jersey Shore. You've reminded me how I've missed it and need to get there before summer's over. lovely photos.

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  5. Great photos! Now I am totally craving donuts.

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  6. I don't know what I am craving more - the ocean or the doughnuts. I've always loved the wildness of the Jersey Shore - it's been decades. (And I must watch TV - I am the only one who knows nothing about the Guidos).

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  7. Gorgeous photography! The donuts look scrumptious as well.

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  8. Now, that is a beautiful Jersey shore. The fresh made donuts leave me speechless. :-)

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  9. Mmmmm, in my mind I can smell those donuts! How wonderful to have a break at the beach.
    ♥, Susan

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