Jenkinson's Boardwalk - Pt. Pleasant, NJ - Part 2

As promised, I am back with part two of my Jenkinson's Boardwalk in Pt. Pleasant, NJ trip report!  When I last left off, we were discussing the crazy amounts of fun you can have in the Fun House, especially when you're a bit inebriated and want to act like a child.  Let's face it, that's what this site celebrates.  For as much as it's about the different seasons and holidays that accompany them, it's also about embracing your childhood and enjoying the little things.  There's plenty of time for stress and responsibility throughout this life, so when you find the time to let loose and be whoever you want to be, take the opportunity and treasure it.

Now, let's get into part two!

As we exited the Fun House, the clouds were still rolling in and the sky was becoming darker.  The scent of rain and salt water was growing strong and we knew we were minutes away from a downpour.  So, we looked around and decided to take cover in one of the arcades.  We were going to wind up there anyway, especially because I wanted to hunt down Slimer, so we entered the first one we saw and beat the crowd before it got nasty.

How many times will you see me shooting baskets on Pop-A-Shot, this Summer?  Every single time I see one, somewhere.  So far, I've found one at Monster Mini Golf, Seaside, and Pt. Pleasant.  It's a guarantee that I'll spend money on these games whenever they catch my eye.  Unfortunately, this machine was a bit busted and the balls had too much air.  Every time we hit the rim, the ball bounced right back at us in a fit or rage.  We'd have one ball coming at our head, another bouncing toward the glass, and the last falling to the ground.  It became a disaster and, really, there was no way I was breaking any high scores in Pt. Pleasant.  I tried, but I failed.  We'll see what the next machine holds for me.  We have another adventure planned for today (one that is similar to a previous trip) and I know they have Pop-A-Shot, so I'll be sure to take some shots.  You, of course, will surely get tired of seeing us in the same exact pose.

Have you ever tried playing Skee Ball while taking pictures at the same time?  Up until Monday, neither have I.  But I gave I attempted to do so in order to get a cool photo of the ball going into the "100" slot.  Not only did I not get it in hole, I barely got any good pictures at all.  Then, after I got the high score and tried to pose like an idiot, the score flashed away and I wound up pointing at nothing.  So, needless to say, Skee Ball was not much of a success.  As my girlfriend said, "It's a fail."  Yep.

 The next competition was Cliff vs Eileen in a game of Air Hockey.  This is always fun and I started off strong.  I went up 5-0 early and was looking to shut her out completely.  But, little by little, she worked her way back into the game and my undefeated streak was in jeopardy.  Luckily, I was able to hold her off and end the game, but she's getting better!  I blame her comeback on the fact that I was, once again, taking pictures as we played, but I'll give her credit.  I'm looking forward to a rematch because she may just take the Championship.  But then again, she has me, so she's already the winner ;)

We looked everywhere for the stuffed Slimer that we found in Seaside, but he was nowhere to be found.  I'm sure I could Google it and order it online, but that's not the same.  There's something special about walking into an arcade, finding one of your favorite characters trapped inside a glass prison, and doing your best to wrap a crane around his body to assist in their escape!  That's what I was hoping to do for Slimer, but he's gone missing.  All I could find were these giant donuts and Monsters University characters.  I didn't have any interest in saving them, but those donuts did look cool.  Besides the fact that they look like they're from The Simpsons, I thought about trying to win one for our dog, Rocky, but I knew he'd just rip the stuffing out and there'd be a mess.  Better off without it.

Ahhh! Slimer!!  It's not the stuffed version, but there he is!  I got so pumped when I saw him, but knew he was unattainable.  This particular Slimer wasn't a crane game prize, but rather a ticket-based prize.  You know the idea; win and tally as many tickets as possible, turn them in to redeem points, and collect your prize once you have enough to do so.  The problem is, these prizes require wayyy too many points and you'd be better off just spending your money to purchase them in stores.  Try telling that to a little kid, though.  When they're spending hours inside an arcade, all they want is what they see, not what you claim you'll buy for them later.

I remember, when I was a kid, my family was spending the week down in Pt. Pleasant.  It was my Mother, Father, Aunt, two cousins, and I sharing the house.  At the time, Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers was at the peak of its popularity and I was one of the crazy fanatics that never missed an episode.  I used to draw the Power Rangers, collect the toys, play the video games, and pretend I was one.  I even dressed up as the Red Ranger for Halloween after my parents looked everywhere for the crappy costume.  My favorite, in this year, was the Green Ranger and my eye was drawn to a prize up on the top shelf.  It was the Green Ranger's "Dragon Dagger!."

I wanted this damn toy so bad!  I knew it was available in stores, I knew it wasn't THAT hard to find, but I didn't care; I had to have it.  Looking back, I was just being a spoiled brat, but my entire family played every game they could just to win enough tickets to pull this box down from the top shelf.  In the end, I couldn't tell you if they were just using it as an excuse to play more great games, or if my Dad just paid them more than it's worth to speed up the process, but I DID get my Green Ranger "Dragon Dagger."  

But, of course, the thrill of the chase was more fun than actually attaining my goal.  From what I remember, the dagger didn't play the actual sounds from the show and, after a few hours, I was tired of pretending like I had any real ninja talent or weaponry skill.  I should have just kept the box sealed because, today, this goes for $300-$400!  That's probably what my family wound up paying, anyway, but it's a story that just goes to show what type of affect these arcades can have on you.  You get caught up in the excitement and play for things you don't even really want.  Regardless, I'll never forget it and I appreciate my family for doing it.  It was worth the memory.

The Candy Stands are our favorite to play because you can win something that you'll actually use.  Sure, we don't necessarily need a box of Blow Pops, but who says now when you can potentially win it for 50 cents?  There are a few other stands where you can win electronics, but the chances are slim and, if I'm going to start wasting dollars, I'd rather drive to Atlantic City and gamble it away at the Big Money Wheel.  

When Eileen and I first started dating 9 years ago, I was 16-years-old and she was 15.  Years prior, I had been addicted to a candy called "Crazy Hair."  It was like a push-pop that forced nothing but pure sugar through tiny pores to symbolize colored hair.  I remember telling her about it, but thought it was discontinued.  Then, we were dropped off in Seaside by her Aunt, and we found it at one of the candy stands!  I couldn't believe it!  We probably spent a good $20 trying to win that box and it wasn't until we said "okay, last try" that we finally won it.  I probably broke out for weeks, but it was worth it!  Just another throwback that represents the memories and emotions connected with the Jersey Shore and what the boardwalk means to me.  Even a candy stand can mean more than what they make in a Summer.

 We walked down to check out the rides, but the lightning was striking so often that they shut everything down.  It made for a few fancy photos, but it's unfortunate that we didn't get to ride the Himalaya or Tilt-A-Whirl.  Those are my favorites.  But it's nice to see that the rides weren't affected by Hurricane Sandy.  Unlike Seaside, the rides at Pt. Pleasant aren't on the pier and are placed far off the beach.  Still, I'm surprised there wasn't more damage done by the heavy winds and rain.  The storm was bad, and much more than flooding, so I'm very glad to know that the rides are up and running!

Soon, the Sun had reappeared, but the rain had done its damage.  The beaches, for the most part, began to clear and evening was upon us.  We weren't looking to stay too much later or into the night, so we had time for just a few more activities before heading for the exits.

 Always end your trip to Pt. Pleasant with Ice Cream!  If you're a traditionalist, you've gotta go to Kohr's and try one of their famous twists or, if you're thirsty, go with the Orangeade.  Oh man, that's so good!  I wish I had one, right now!

Eileen decided to stick with Kohr's and go classic with the vanilla ice cream with rainbow sprinkles.  Besides Mint Chocolate Chip, that's definitely her favorite.  I like it, but I'm more fond of the harder ice cream so I chose a different path and went with Dippin' Dots.  It's always a Jersey Shore stop for me and I always have a hard time deciding which flavor to choose.  My favorites used to be "Root Beer Float" and "Snickers," but they haven't had those in years.  "Banana Split" is also classic, but easy to find.  So I had to pick something new!

"Twix Dippin' Dots" for the win!  This was great!!  I'll admit, it's not my new favorite, but it's very good and I'll definitely be purchasing it again.  It's chocolate Dippin' Dots with little chunks of Twix' candy.  It's an obvious creation, but this is the first time I've seen it.

It still can't compete with "Root Beer Float."  That was the best!  It was vanilla dots mixed with root beer dots.  I guess they took root beer soda and froze them into dots because, as they melted, they returned to their liquid state.  Now you had vanilla Dippin' Dots mixed into actual soda.  It was amazing!  Bring it back, Double D!

So, after 3 alcoholic beverages, cheese fries, 2 zeppoles each, a walk through the Fun House, competitions in the Arcade, traveling the boardwalk, ice cream, and walking back through the parking lot, our trip to Jenkinson's in Pt. Pleasant, NJ came to an end.

This was one of the better times we've had at Pt. Pleasant and, in reality, we didn't do half of what is offered.  Jenkinson's has an aquarium, a variety of shore shops, and rides that are fun for the whole family and people of any age.  There's plenty of fun to be had in Pt. Pleasant, including a fireworks show after the sun sets.  Not to mention the concerts and events they have planned throughout the Summer.  There's always something going on, but they can't compare to the day we shared together.

To finish our night, we stopped at Walgreens on the way home and saw these beauties in the refreshment aisle.  We were looking to grab something quick, maybe a bottle of Pepsi or cans of coke, but how do you turn down vintage bottles of Coca-Cola?  I couldn't!  Even though they're more expensive and harder to open, the classic look and feel of both the box and bottles are worth every extra bit of hassle.  Just look at how much the picture pops because of the colors and style!

I had to Google why it says "Hecho En Mexico."  I knew that it translated to "Made In Mexico," but I didn't understand the significance on the label.  Apparently, these bottles of Coke were truly imported from Mexico and have a different flavor than those made in America.  I thought there was a difference in taste, but I blamed it on my own mind games due to the awesome bottle.  But it's true!  Coke imported from Mexico is made with Cane Sugar rather than High Fructose Corn Syrup.  I'm telling you that like I know what I'm talking about and capitalizing everything to emphasize my knowledge.  The truth is, I have no idea what makes them different, but I love the packaging and that's all that matters.

The funny part is that the employees at Walgreens, including the manager, had no idea these bottles were even in stock.  They asked me where I found them and agreed that they were cool.  I believe the word "classic" was used just as many times by them as it was in this entry.  The manager even agreed that "they taste much better."  He must be up to date on the whole cane sugar corn syrup confusion.  Good for him.  Now he just needs to know what items he has in stock!

 

To conclude this two-part trip report, here's a giant Budweiser from me to you!

Jenkinson's Boardwalk - Pt. Pleasant, NJ - Part 1

As I've said before, I usually don't keep up with The Holidaze through the Spring and Summer months, but this year I'm attempting to change that.  So far, I'm having a blast.  See, I think I've avoided these months for so long because there aren't many seasonal products released this time of year.  Compared to the Halloween and Christmas seasons, Summer products usually don't compare.  But that doesn't mean we can't focus on the Summer, we just need to change our direction.

To stay on course and along this new path, I am continuing with the theme of "adventure" and "mini-vacations."  Even if it's only for a day, there is so much to do in New Jersey and New York throughout the Summer that I've obviously been overlooking this aspect of The Holidaze.  Sure, maybe there aren't as many cookies and cakes on the shelves as there are in October, but we do have 90 degree heat, beaches, rides and countless opportunities to have fun.  That's what I've been doing so far and I'm having a great time sharing my experiences with all of you.

This passed Monday, the weather was gorgeous!  It was really the first nice day we've had for the beach.  There are lots of people who don't mind sitting on the beach on a 75 degree day, but I'm not one of them.  I like a scorcher.  I need the sun beaming down on me.  I need that hot, sweaty, heat that makes you want to dive right into the ocean.  Give me all of that, keep the humidity, and I'm good to go!

We were originally planning on going to Belmar which is a much more secluded beach without the hustle and bustle of the boardwalk.  It's much less congested than other beaches in NJ and, if you're looking for relaxation and a good tan, it's one of the best spots on the coast.  But we wanted more out of such a beautiful day so we decided to keep driving and head straight for Pt. Pleasant, NJ!

As expected, the beach was packed!  Even on a Monday, Pt. Pleasant beach gets crowded, especially  opposed to Belmar, but it's the small price you pay for having such an awesome boardwalk behind you.  Unlike Seaside, Pt. Pleasant is much more family-friendly and evokes a "nice" environment than the other boardwalks I've been to in recent years.  When I was 12-years-old, my family rented a shore house just blocks away from the Pt. Pleasant beach, so I'm a bit biased, but as soon as I walked up the wooden ramp and on to the boardwalk, it felt like I had never left.  The memories come flooding back and, you just know, it's going to be another great time!

Another reason we chose to spend our day in Pt. Pleasant was because of Martell's Tiki Bar.  I'm 26-years-old, my girlfriend is 24, and, believe it or not, we've never been to Tiki Bar.  If you're from NJ, or even the tri-state area for that matter, your jaw probably just hit the floor.  I know.  I get it.  Tiki Bar is a rite of passage for people on the east coast and, honestly, I couldn't tell you why I've ignored this place for so long.  When I was younger, I used to want to walk through that entrance SO bad!  I saw so many people laughing, dancing, and having a good time!  I wanted to see what it was all about!  But then, I turned 21, and never gave Tiki Bar another look.  What was I thinking?

As soon as we walked in, I knew we were in for a treat.  The bar was fully stocked, good people surrounded us, the bartenders were friendly, and you could drink on the beach.  How could it get any better?  Well, I'd like to be built like some of the meatheads showing off their guns, but that's besides the point!  Tiki Bar is a phenomenal time and, really, I can't believe I've overlooked this place for so many years. We walked all the way to the back, grabbed a table at the end of the pier, bought a few drinks, and basked in the sunlight as we looked over the Atlantic Ocean.  Beautiful.

Unlike Seaside, where the beers were only $1.50, Tiki Bar isn't cheap.  I had a vodka Red Bull, my girlfriend have a vodka cranberry, and the total was $25.  They didn't skimp on the alcohol, though.  They were strong drinks and, with the ice melting so fast, you had to drink them quick to keep that cool chill.  Despite the price, we enjoyed the drinks and felt like we were paying more for the experience and atmosphere than anything else.  That was more than worth it.

As we talked and laughed, we heard the lifeguard blow his whistle and run toward the beach.  He yelled and pulled everybody out of the water.  We really didn't know what was going on, but in a matter of seconds, everybody had swam back to the shore and stared out, in a perfect line, as they awaited further word.  What was going on?  We're still not sure, but what's up with the ocean in that picture?  Take a look at the horizon and notice how wavy it is.  I've never seen that before.  I've only ever seen the horizon lie straight so I thought this was odd.  Maybe it had something to do with the current, but I just read that NJ had a mini Tsunami on June 13th, so this was very interesting.

Because it was so crowded, and the ocean drama attracted a crowd, we happened to find a new friend.  This man, who I've named Don, decided to take a seat at our table.  He said he thought the commotion down below was being caused by a Great White Shark.  Now, you might laugh, especially when you consider the source being a beach biker, but he might have been right.  Just a few weeks ago, there was an 18-foot Great White Shark spotted off of the Atlantic City coast.  Another guy, who used to lifeguard on the beach, agreed with Don the Biker from NY.  He said that it was the only thing that made sense and, just a week ago, a whale was seen from that very beach.  That's incredible.

These are the types of stories that keep me out of the ocean.  A few years ago, we went into the ocean countless times and, every time, I thought about being eaten by Jaws.  Every time a piece of seaweed grazed my leg, I flipped the hell out!  I thought my leg was being chewed off or attacked by an electric eel with the face of a dragon.  The ocean is a spooky place, one that I tend to avoid.  Thanks to even more stories like these, I think it's safe to say that I won't be entering the ocean this year.  The Great White Shark can't attack me if my ass is safe and sound on the beach!

Eventually, they allowed swimmers to return to the water and it was business as usual.  Then, out of nowhere, the clouds began to roll in.  Thunder began to boom and lightning started to strike.  Luckily, there were plenty of spots at Tiki Bar that provided cover and we were able to stick around and drink some more.

We realized, just before the rain began to fall, that we had enough to drink and should probably get some food before we sober up and head home.  So we took one more picture, one of our red tongue's, and headed for the boardwalk.

Like I said in the Seaside review, you can't be on a diet when visiting the Jersey Shore.  Just look at the awning! "Zeppoles, Funnel Cakes, Fried Oreos!"  Come on, now!  You know you can't resist that type of indulgence.  I know we couldn't!  Cheese Fries, Zeppoles, and a coke, to begin!

When you're a bit tipsy, food tastes so much better and, at this point, we were starving!  Those cheese fries were amazing, but those zeppoles were even better!  In recent years, we've been unable to find any traditional zeppoles at the Jersey Shore.  It's like they've lost the recipe or started to use a different batter.  They've been more like cake than a zeppole, but that seems to have all changed for the better!  These were some of the best we've had in a very long time and, because they're a childhood favorite, I couldn't be happier over fried dough and powdered sugar!

Up next, we headed for the Fun House!  What happened to the classic fun houses that were so prevalent back when I was a kid?  This one at Jenkinson's is the only one that lives up to tradition, these days.  Now, all I ever see are those traveling fun houses that feature a few moving stairs, a hamster wheel, and a slide.  You can get through them in a good 3 minutes and, the worst part, they're too small for man children like me to walk through!  What's the deal, brotha?

Thankfully, the Fun House in Pt. Pleasant is pretty awesome and includes all the traditional attractions you'd expect to find in a classic fun house.  For only $5 a person, it's a must-see because, if you embrace your inner child, you're going to have a hilarious time exploring the interior.  I know we did!

The Hall of Mirrors isn't really all that hard to get through, especially when another family is leading the way in front of you, but that doesn't mean it can't be fun.  Take pictures in the mirrors and try to stray from your adopted family leaders in an attempt to get lost.  We actually did, a little bit.  We had a great time and it led to a lot of laughs.  Until a little 6-year-old looks at you like you're two grown fools.  Once that happens, you can only look at him, nod, and agree.

My favorite part throughout the entire Fun House is this part right here.  I'm sure there's a more official name for it, but I just call it the "Blacklight Tunnel."  If you've never walked through one, you stand on a tiny bridge while the walls around you spin.  It's basically just a giant garbage bag with black lit stickers, but the feeling is surreal.  You're not moving at all, but you feel like you're flipping upside down.  As you stand there, a grimacing clown stares back at you.  It's a scene right out of "Are You Afraid of the Dark" and I love the thrill.

 What is it about me and these funny, silly, warping mirrors?  I have no clue, but they're fun.  Look at me.  In the first, I have tiny legs.  In the second, I have a tiny body.  Hilarious, right?  Eh.. yeah.. maybe you had to be there.

I'll accept the argument that warping mirrors aren't all that funny, but what about stepping on butts?  Okay, what about stepping on butts that make fart noises when you push on them?  If that's not hilarious, then somebody should tell Adam Sandler because he's been making millions off of jokes like these for years.  Trust me, it's fun!  Go in there, jump around, push kids out of the way, and make music to the sounds of farts.  Just be happy they don't emit an aroma when you do!

Another aspect of the Fun House that I enjoy is the artistic direction.  These two photos stand out, specifically.  First, take a look at the alien trapped inside that test tube. That's something you only find inside Haunted Houses!  If I didn't know any better, I would have expected him to jump out from the top and reach out for me.  But he'd have to be about 3-foot-tall and weight 67 pounds so that wasn't happening.

How about the guy on the right?  What happened to him?  This is supposed to be a Fun House, but kids are witnessing an explorer being burned in a witch's cauldron.  He's also being mocked by placing those expensive jewels so close to him without being able to grab them.  Obviously, he's tied up.  Talk about torture!  This guy isn't going anywhere.  But the oddest part is that he looks like he's fine with it.  He doesn't mind the fact that he's being cooked for that Alien's dinner.  Such a unique place!

Now, at this point in the entry, I realize this trip report has been very long and I may have lost a few readers along the way.  So I'm going to end Part 1 here and return with Part 2, tomorrow!  Stay tuned for ice cream, the arcade, cranes, stands, and coca-cola!