Rumson and Sandy Hook

Bopping around Camille’s childhood stomping grounds on May 19 and 20 with Father-brother Joe

GRAND LADY BY THE SEA B&B

We stayed in Highlands in a nice old home with a view of Sandy Hook, the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge and the Freedom Tower. It had been two years since we had been in this neck of the woods.

TWIN LIGHTS

A must on our annual trek to family-land – this historic site figured heavily in our childhood rituals.

FREEDOM TOWER

While we were out of town, they built the Freedom Tower which blatantly sticks up out of Manhattan and is easily visible from the Twin Lights.

CHANGES

Things have changes since we lived in West Long Branch. The legendary Freddie’s Pizzeria is no longer owned and operated by Italians, the pizza wielding waiter no longer hangs off the front of the building and according to Brother/Father Joe, who ate there in January has lost it’s original flavor.

There is still sand on the Ocean Boulevard side of the sea wall – evidence of the destruction wrought by hurricane Sandy in October, 2012

FRANK’S SLICE OF HEAVEN

Another annual ritual is dinner at Frank and Shawn’s home where they prepare a delicious dinner and we enjoy the view from the back deck.

JOLLY GOOD FELLOWS

James brought dessert, a scrumptious fruit and custard tart. As per usual, we helped ourselves to much good food and delved into family reminiscing.

SANDY HOOK

Before driving to Pennsylvania, we went to Sandy Hook for a picnic. Earlier that day, Joe went for a bike ride and returned with part of a horseshoe crab.