Vacationing in Avalon

The family made it to New Jersey. Can't believe its been something like 30+ years since I first came to Stone Harbor with my parents for vacation. Of course at that time we lived much closer and the commute was by car. Now, I have to load the family up on a commercial flight and fly into Philly. Made a day trip into the Philly downtown and spent the day at the Franklin Institute. It's a great museum with plenty of hands-on exhibits for the kids.

After a quick drive from the city we made it Avalon early on July 3rd. Spent the morning on the beach and picked up the keys to the rental house around 2 PM. There it is down there:

On the 4th we went down to Stone Harbor - it is the neighboring town which shares seven mile island with Avalon. We entered our kids into the 4th of July parade and won first place in the most colorful display. My brother has a friend who owns a house on the island. She did all the leg work. All we had to do is roll into place and follow directions. Pam rocks - we just rolled in, donned outfits and walked away with a trophy.

Later that night we watched an amazing fireworks show from the third floor deck of the house. The firework barge was literally a few hunderd yards off shore from the house. In this shot it was being towed past the house and doubled back much closer to shore where they anchored it. We have absolutely the best view in Avalon for the fireworks display.

The next morning I took Noelle to her first of three surfing lessons. By the end of an hour long session she was up on the board. The folks at the surf shop are so cool - they are willing to lend us a board for the remainder of the week if it is not needed for lessons.

Anna taking my daughter Noelle out to practice.

There's my girl up on the board.

Tonight we go into Stone Harbor and have ice cream at Springers. That stuff is homemade and absolutley the best on the island. When I came back to Stone Harbor last year for the first time in decades this is the one place I absolutely had to take the children - lots of fond memories. Off for a nap now as the kids have worn me out, believe I'm becoming like my parents. They would have loved to have been here with their grand kids.