The Jersey Shore...State 22!

 

I got to visit the Jersey Shore in April 2024!  And I ran the April Fools Half Marathon in Atlantic City on April 7 and it was my 22nd state.  My friend from New Jersey, Chrissy, went with me, and we had a great time hanging out in NJ!  

We left Charleston at 7:00 on Thursday morning.  We had stops at Buccees, Chick-fil-A, and a pizza place in Queenstown, MD.  There must have been a backup on 95 as the GPS sent us an alternative route.  We basically drove through the longest part of Maryland.  It seemed to take forever!  At first it was more relaxing than the 95 traffic, but then we hit long stop lights.  But worse was the Bay Bridge!  It was a tall skinny bridge that seemed to go off into the clouds.  And as we were going over it, we saw a boat going under it!  A little, or a lot scary after the Key Bridge collapse!  When we stopped for pizza, it was needed as we had been in the car for about 12 hours!  All the other times we got food we ate it in the car.     

When we finally arrived at Chrissy's parents' house, we were greeted by them and her sister waiting for us on their front porch holding a welcome home/to New Jersey sign.  It was super sweet of them!

Friday was hanging with the Cullen's!  We talked, laughed and enjoyed getting to know each other.  For lunch, we went to the Amish Farmer's Market. I got pot roast for lunch and bought butter, cheese, chocolate milk, donuts and a cream cheese filled cinnamon and sugar pretzel.  The pretzel was so yummy!!  I also bought pickles, jam and chicken in a biscuit crackers!  We ended Friday night with a birthday party for Chrissy's dad at her brother's house.  Her family is super fun and very hospitable.  I really enjoyed getting to know them!

Saturday was our Atlantic City day, but this was after we had a birthday breakfast with Chrissy's parents at their favorite diner.  Then off to Atlantic City!!  

We had a room at the Resorts Hotel but could not check in until 5.  So, we walked around the boardwalk and looked at the other casino hotels.  We each played a dollar in the slots, and I only lost 96 cents!  The house always wins! 

We went to the Steel Pier and rode the Ferris Wheel.  It was scary as it was high and windy!  This pier is where they used to have diving horses (Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken) and now it has different rides.  We visited the Hard Rock and Ocean resorts in addition to Caesar's Palace.  We ate lunch at Wahlburgers (since I also ate there in Vegas, this is becoming a casino town tradition!)  The Ocean resort was the nicest in my opinion and had a really cool outdoor area on top of the resort.  

Atlantic City boardwalk

The Monopoly Streets are named after streets at Atlantic City

Steel Pier

Inside the Wheel 

Views from the Wheel

Looking down on the boardwalk...an optical illusion at it is flat

The top of the Ocean Resort

This day on the boardwalk was cool and windy.  I was glad I had my coat and was a little anxious about how windy it could be the next day.  The other observation about the boardwalk in general is that is is a very smoky place.  Both in the casinos and outside people are smoking...regular cigarettes both places and weed outside.  I am surprised we did not get high!

We took a detour off the boardwalk (don't recommend this!) to see the tallest lighthouse in NJ...Absecon Lighthouse.  It was either moved or built before the resorts as it definitely can't be seen from the ocean now! 

We finished our boardwalk tour with Caesar's Palace and buying saltwater taffy.  

The Korean War Memorial.  Chrissy's dad laid the brick for this memorial.

Inside Caesar's Palace

The Wild West

The Saltwater Taffy Store

The Resorts 

We have our bibs...no turning back!

Our room

View from our hotel room...not exactly an ocean view!

After bib pickup, we were able to check into our room and rest some before dinner at The Sugar Factory.  Dinner was fine, but the mocktails and dessert were yummy!  It was a fun place to eat!  It is known for celebrities eating there (at more than just this location), but we didn't see anyone famous!  And because it is the most IG'ed restaurant, we put our pics on IG!  Guess we are famous in our own minds!

We had an early evening in because were both tired and needed rest for Sunday.  And when Sunday came, we were both thankful that it was not as windy as Saturday.  The pot smell was just as bad, but it was not too windy!  It was actually a very nice day for a run!  

Getting ready to head out to the start of the race!

Ready to run!

Chrissy was able to take my pic during the race.

This is the restaurant we like to eat at when we go to Carowinds!  Great crab fries!

Lucy the Elephant

When I reached this spot, I only had 4 more miles to go!

We made it!!  And we both were able to shower before we checked out!

Chrissy's dad (and her Uncle Jack) came to see her finish her half!

The course on this race was nice.  It was an out and back course, and the streets were blocked off nicely.  My time was not the greatest.  My legs are telling me to take a break!  This is my 5th long race since my full in October.  Each one has gotten slower!  But I have no other halfs until September!  So I will rest my legs!  (except for hiking the Grand Canyon in May!)  

After we both were cleaned up, we had a quick lunch at Home Slice before heading back to Williamstown to say goodbye to her parents.  The we went to Wilmington, DE to stay with her sister and brother-in-law.  They were also so welcoming and nice!  I definitely can tell where Chrissy gets her kind and fun personality!

Driving home was much easier than the trip up!  And we were able to pull over and see the eclipse!

It was a long weekend, but a fun trip!!  It is always fun to travel with friends and so glad I got to see New Jersey with a Jersey girl!!