A Site for Shore Eyes

A good friend expressed some alarm after reading some of my latest blogs. She feared the possibility that I could ruin the entire vacation industry for the island comprising the Wildwoods and Lower Township at the Jersey Shore. Additionally, she lamented the possibility of a mass exodus from the island. Because I live here and own no tourist-related business, my response was, “Well wouldn’t those be good things?”

Ha, ha, I’m only kidding. Previously, I listed a few reasons why moving here would be ill advised for most people seeking a higher standard of living. My motives were entirely ulterior, whatever that means, but I’m pretty sure it has something to do with benefiting me. Anyway, I’m now ready to expose my deceit, because I felt really bad about what I said about my home town, but mostly because this individual threatened to cause great harm to my Peke-a-poo, if I ever get one, although I’m now leaning toward a pit bull.

Enough said. Jackie and I don’t really live in North Wildwood, we only vacation here. Yes, that’s correct, we own a vacation home at the shore, and we live in it year-round, because we’re on a permanent vacation. (Note: For literary ease, unless otherwise specified, “Wildwood” will mean the entire island, including Wildwood, Wildwood Crest, North Wildwood, West Wildwood, East Wildwood, South Wildwood, and any Lower Township communities sucking up space on the island). Oops! I’ve just been informed by my literary assistant that East Wildwood and South Wildwood do not presently exist, but they could in the future, especially if the beach keeps expanding and Lower Township gets tired of trying to be something it’s not.

Anyway, there’s more to do here than sit around and watch the seagulls poop on the pilings, although I consider that a worthwhile enterprise for anyone with a covered deck or porch and a good book. In case that’s not your thing, but you like to watch things that look like fish, such as whales and dolphins, you can book a ride on The Sightseer, or The The Cape May Whale Watcher. I generally only recommend business enterprises that I like, unless I’m getting a kickback, and in this case I’m not, so you’re on your own in selecting the most suitable craft. I can tell you that The Sightseer is run by Captain Schumann, and I’ve known him since we were kids at the same time. He probably won’t remember me, so don’t mention my name, unless maybe you can talk him into setting up a referral fee thing with my site.

For you lighthouse people, Hereford Inlet Lighthouse occupies space in North Wildwood, and Cape May Lighthouse sits at Cape May Point.

Wildwood (remember the meaning) also schedules events, many of them free, throughout the summer, including weekly concerts and fireworks. For more information, visit the official Wildwood, North Wildwood, Wildwood Crest, or West Wildwood web sites.

The Wildwood boardwalk also offers fun for just about anyone, with amusement piers, water parks, shops, and lots of food! For more information on Wildwood, especially the boardwalk, visit the Morey’s Piers site, or visit Splash Zone, another huge water park. For those not able to get around, or anyone who’s just too darned lazy to walk, read about the other Sightseer, AKA The Tram Car, which runs the entire length of the boardwalk. The famous, “Watch the tram car please,” is a cutesy thing, but an air horn would clear the path more effectively.

While on the boards, it’s imperative to visit Lime Ricky (they have a cool website, too). For salt water taffy, visit James’ and Fralinger’s Salt Water Taffy (they used to be competitors). I won’t mention all of the candy stores selling salt water taffy and fudge, but if fudge is your thing, I recommend Laura’s Fudge, just off the boardwalk at Wildwood Avenue, and at locations along the boardwalk. Several other places sell good fudge, so figure it out for yourself. In case you can’t get to the island, salt water taffy, fudge, and other candy can be ordered on line at the respective merchant sites.

Anyway, I just figured out that it would take a few days to write about everything good about Wildwood, including one of the best beaches in the world. Okay, so there are no palm trees, but you can find some fake ones at some of the still existing doo wop motels, which reminds me that another must see is the Doo Wop Preservation League, so visit their site and see what they’re all about.

Okay, I’m stopping, but not without mentioning The Wildwoods Convention Center, which is both conventional, in that it hosts conventions; and somewhat unconventional, because it hosts many other things, such as concerts, especially featuring entertainers from the Golden Years of Rock and Roll, although not limited thereto.

Enough said. Many people already know about this place, so it’s not exactly a well-kept secret, but once you come here, you’ll want the entire island for yourself, but you’re just going to have to share it.

This entry was posted on Sunday, April 22nd, 2007 at 6:53 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.