Seaview Bay Course

With travel more of a nuisance than ever, this year we decided to take our summer holiday in nearby Atlantic City. We spend the first half of our trip at the Seaview Resort in Gallaway.

Con and I played 18 holes at the Bay Course, one of the resort's two championship golf courses. Though the Pines Course is the more popular of the two courses, having hosted the 1942 PGA championship, we opted for the Bay Course with its strong ocean breeze keeping us comfortably cool despite temperatures in the high 80's. That afternoon, the girls enjoyed spa treatments at the Elizabeth Arden Spa while we relaxed poolside.

Top of the Trop

We spent the second half of our holiday at the Tropicana Resort in Atlantic City. We reserved two rooms in "the Quarter", the Cuban themed section of the resort. However, upon check in, Con managed to up-grade us to a three bedroom beach front suite in the South Tower so that Con and I, Jack, and the girls each had a room to ourselves.

Con and I played a quick 9 holes at May's Landing Golf and Country Club before heading back to the Trop for a family dinner at Carmine's, famous for their huge portions.

The following night we booked a table at Cuba Libre, an authentic Cuban restaurant modeled after 1940s Old Havana, complete with a live Latin floor show. Afterwards, we saw the new Batman movie, "The Dark Night" at the IMAX theater.

Concert in the Park

Con and I were fortunate to be among the 67,500 fans who flocked to Central Park's great lawn last night for a free concert by Jersey's 2nd greatest band, Bon Jovi (sorry, Jon, Bruce is still #1).

As we checked into our hotel, we heard the line to get into the park was 20 city blocks long. So, we headed to the Rock Center Cafe, for a leisurely dinner and around seven o'clock, we headed to the park. Contrary to the scene five hours earlier, we breezed through security with a half hour till show time. The park was divided into east and west side tickets with three sections on each side. We were in the third section on the west side.

Con decided the show would be much more enjoyable from the front section so, taking me by the hand, he walked up to security at entrance to the second section. Much to the amazement of on-lookers, the officer moved the barricade aside and waived us though. The same happened at the next section and we found ourselves about 100 feet from the stage, where we enjoyed the remainder of the show.

Afterwards, we headed over to the Whiskey A Go Go for martinis. I once again witnessed the power of Con, as we were ushered in the VIP entrance, by-passing the long line of hopefuls waiting on the sidewalk.

Pretty in Pink

Couldn't resist adding to my summer shoe collection. These Sperry Topsider mules are perfect in pink and Con will be happy I've finally tossed my old, worn favorites (well, not really but they are in the far reaches of the closet).

Now, if only I can justify those pink FootJoys. Con, honey, I know they will improve my game, if not in score certainly in attitude!

Bon Jovi Fever

Having spent my formative years in New Jersey, I should logically be an avid Bon Jovi fan. Somehow, I never jumped on the band wagon until this past summer when Con and I were blown away by his performance at the Live Earth concert. Ever since, I've been hooked.

When Con called to report a free concert in Central Park, I knew we had to go. An early morning queue for tickets was not an option, so after a quick purchase on Ebay we're counting down to 7:45 pm Saturday !!

Rumson and Fireworks

We spent a lovely July 4th at Mike and Dor's home "down the shore". I love the scenic drive down the Navesink River, past sprawling estates home to celebrities such as John Bon Jovi, Queen Latifa, and Con's favorite, Bruce Springsteen. No celebrity citings, today, since most were gathered on the banks of the Navesink to watch the Red Bank fireworks display.

Though the weather was a bit rainy, spirits were high both figuratively and literally. The cousins spent all afternoon in the pool while the "grown-ups" enjoyed Mike's grillin': clams, shrimp, chicken breast and london broil, along with his specialty dish, spicy jumbalaya, and Dor's fabulous home made potato salad, followed up with Grandma Grace's famous cheesecake, and a well timed visit from "the icy man".

We made it back just in time for our hometown fireworks, which we watched from a neighbor's lawn.

Take Me Out to the Ball Park

What better way to kick off the holiday weekend than a baseball game at our local Somerset Patriots followed by a spectacular fireworks show.

Though the Patriots were defeated by the Bears 11-6, a great time was had by all. Jack clocked the baseball throw at a screaming 15 mph and spun the wheel of fortune 6 times in his attempt to win the grand prize. He didn't win the big prize, but we did come home with several nice stickers and vouchers to future games.

The most enjoyable part of the night was the firework show set to patriotic music - where else can you sit in a nice comfy seat, (legally) drink a beer, and watch of the best firework shows in NJ?