Showing posts with label Last Day on the East Coast. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Last Day on the East Coast. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Back in the AP!


Asbury Park Reunion!
Before making my way back to the Forever West to spend my January break in the Tetons, I had to make a visit to my second home, Asbury Park! Plus, my flight back to Jackson was starting off in Newark, NJ, so being in Asbury was a lot closer than Delaware. This was a convenient and perfect way to spend my last few days on the East Coast. On Sunday morning, my dad dropped me off at the Wilmington train station and I made my way into Philadelphia! There, I was greeted by two of my absolute favorite people: JJ and Kelsey! Ahhhhhhh! It was soooooo great being reunited with these two! After being picked up, we headed back to Asbury Park to let the shenanigans begin. Of course, there is no proper way to welcome yourself back to this wonderful beach town than to get Bloody Mary's, Mimosas, and Omelets at Johnny Mac's (on a Sunday morning)! So yea, we started off the day drinking at J-Mac's! So fun and so delicious! After J-Mac's, I headed over to Kelsey's family home where I got to see her mom, Diana, her sister, Lo, and the cairn, Zoe for a little visit.


Pickle Roll Sushi at Langosta
After watching the Giants vs. Eagles game at JJ's, Kelsey and I headed to Langosta Lounge for dinner! I love that place! And can you guess what I had for dinner?!?! Just guess...SUSHI! I have gone way too long without my most favorite food of all time. It was absolutely delicious! I had a Pickle Roll: I think it was shrimp tempura, spicy tuna, avocado, cucumber, aioli, and all that is delicious. I've missed Asbury food! Ahhhhh! We ended up meeting Ian, Christopher, his girlfriend - Kat, and Kelsey's roommate, Krista. We had an absolute blast! Just catching up, being obnoxious, and laughing non-stop during dinner. I am pretty sure the people in the next booth behind us hated us being there, but too bad! We definitely own that place! haha.

I want to be reunited with my ocean!
Another great thing about being in Asbury is being sooo darn close to the beach. Surprisingly, we did not get to the beach as soon as I got there, but I could slightly see the waves in the distance and in the dark, no less! I had to press myself against the window like a little kid looking into a toy store to see it! Don't judge me, I was excited! It's been two years!

The next day, Kelsey and JJ had to work (the joys of being a student and not being employed at the moment), so I was able to explore Asbury Park on my own. That meant, a walk to the beach, sitting on the beach, touching the water (did not swim because it was pretty cold), and just absorbing the awesomeness of the Atlantic. I literally spent majority of my day just walking up and down the beach!



Morning Walk Next to the Atlantic

Reminiscing About Tweedy! I Miss Him!

Mogo Tacos!!!!! (Pork on Left, Chicken on Right)

Asbury Park Convention Hall

Exploring the Beach & Finding The Ocean's Gifts: Skate Egg Cases
Besides reuniting myself with the Atlantic, I was able to get some coffee at America's Cup (my favorite NJ coffee shop), visit the Convention Center, ate Mogo Tacos with Kelsey for lunch, and the boardwalk! That evening, we went out to Stella Marina for dinner (JJ, Kelsey, and I). Surprisingly, I had never gone to that restaurant before (Nate and I would stick to Brickwall and a bunch of other restaurants in the area), but Stella was pretty good. I got a mushroom fire-oven small pizza with Fontina cheese, arugula, mushrooms, and truffle oil! So good! The past two days were absolutely wonderful! Being back in Asbury was just awesome! There is something that is so relaxing, calming, and refreshing about being by that ocean and that place. It definitely can cure any home-sick-ness and make ya happy!



Thanks For the Wonderful Asbury Reunion, JJ and Kelsey! It was the best!
Now come to the Tetons!
Yes, Kelsey, in Nature!
Next Stop: the Tetons to be reunited with the Nelson crew and Marc for New Years! Get ready!
TheChristyBel

Sunday, July 28, 2013

Asbury Park Finale

Made it to New Jersey around 10:00pm Friday night and met the LJ boys at the Daulphin Grille at the Berkeley Bar.  I got there just in time to watch the second set of the Accidental Seabirds.  That is one thing I am going to miss th most about this unique town on the Jersey Shore-the music.  This community is just filled with huge amounts of talent and wonderful people.  Not to mention waking up to the beach was always such a plus!  Gotta get used to not seeing an ocean. Weird!!!!!
Tender moments with the LJ Boys!

A rare moment in time: Christy drinking a beer!

Friday morning, started the day with a lot of temporary 'lasts'...and of course you must have one last New Jersey bagel with the works!  America's Cup Coffee Co. will always be a favorite place in my heart.  It's a great place for a nice Chai Latte and a comforable place to do work and peoe watch!

What I would to pay someone to ship me a huge NJ bagel every morning for my breakfast! Haha. But it is also exciting to think about what new foods I am going to love when I get out west! I wonder maybe I'll even get into buffalo?!? Just kidding, but I'm open to new things!

America's Cup Coffee Co.

Last Bagel from the East Coast!  With the Works!

After getting a full stomach on only half of that bagel sandwich, Nate, Jay and I made one last effort to soak of the Jersey Shore rays and water.  Like every typical Saturday in the summer, Bradley Beach was truly happening with lots of people there. The water was the perfect temperature: cool and refreshing, always a great idea and feeling after a night of drinking to restart you with a morning dip!

Last Summit Pose on the East Coast...even if it's at Bradley Beach!

All fun things must come to an end and a few more errands were needed to help prepare us for the 2,800+ mile adventure.  I don't know about you but eating out at take out places and quick stops can be delicious and all but it gets expensive and not healthy at times. Made a stop at the grocery store for some on the road and at camp site essentials. Yes there were a few self indulgences along the way that mysteriously made it into the cart, but the feeling of making our own food is very rewarding on the road, and if you know how to shop, not as expensive!

Road Trip Grub

Following dinner with Nate's family, we all headed to Belmar to watch Lightning Jar's last show with Nate as the mandolin player.  They played 2 hours worth of mostly original songs intertwined with some covers of The Wait, High and Dry, and Don't Come Around Here Nomore.  Great turnout for the show, especially the little girl, Daphne, who just danced her heart out to the music. Precious moments!

Lightning Jar's little tiny dancer!

Before heading back to get some sleep for the 12+ drive to Chicago.  We had one last enjoyment: Mogo Tacos!  The saddest day of our lives!  These Korean tacos made from this small building on the boardwalk are De-Lici-Ous!!!!

Saddest Moment Ever: Last Mogo Taco!

Saying goodbye to my friends in Ashbury was really hard.  But don't you worry, AP, it's not forever!  We'll be back!

Saying Goodbye to Jay-Man.

TheChristyBel