Castle Dracula - Wildwood, NJ (Guest Post by Sean Gallagher)

When I was a child, my family and I often traveled to the Jersey Shore to bask in the Summer sun.  For us, a trip to Pt. Pleasant or Seaside, NJ was a quick break from the everyday hustle and bustle of the real world.  But, just a bit further south, was Wildwood, NJ.  My time there was rare, but one thing I'll never forget was this giant castle that stood out head and shoulders above the other attractions.  I was far too small and even more afraid to get anywhere close to it, but I'll never forget my Father and cousin entering what I considered Hell's gates.  Although I was too young to understand, I was looking at one of the most beloved New Jersey landmarks of all time!  Given that I don't have the memories or knowledge to truly capture what this place was, I reached out to one of my best friends, Sean Gallagher.  Today, in this very special guest post, I invite you to sit back and read from his point of view.

Take it away, @Writer_Sean

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! 

Seaside, New Jersey

The Summer is all about activity and, this year, I'm attempting to feature more places of interest on The Holidaze.  In my life and where I'm from, there's no better Summer spot than the Jersey Shore.  It's a place than I've been going to since I was 2-years-old, maybe even younger.  The boardwalk is one of the most amazing places in the world.  The sights, the sounds, the smells, it all makes for one hell of a roller coaster ride and, yes, that pun was certainly intended.

If you've never been to the Jersey Shore, you probably immediately associate it and Seaside, NJ with the MTV series "Jersey Shore."  You're probably thinking of Snooki, Pauly D, and The Situation and there are a lot of people who will tell you Seaside is nothing like that.  Well, for the most part, they're right, but I'd be lying if I didn't mention the few guidos and guidettes walking around with their shirts off.  They're certainly down there, but the Jersey Shore is much more than that.  It's a place for family fun and memories.  Whether your a 90-year-old grandmother or a fist-pumping 21-year-old, the Jersey Shore has something for you.

Unfortunately, it's a place that I've taken for granted in recent years and, after Hurricane Sandy, it's nothing like what it was last year.  Just look at the destruction Sandy caused for Seaside, NJ Seaside After Sandy.  The Roller Coaster fell into the Atlantic Ocean, the piers collapsed into the water and on to the beach, the boardwalk was ripped up and, yes, even the Jersey Shore house was affected.

Governor Christie said that they'd get the Jersey Shore back open for business by Memorial Day Weekend and, believe it or not, he did it.  It's not the same at Seaside, the rides are gone, but NJ is "Stronger than the Storm" as is on their way to overcoming a major natural disaster.

As soon as we got the chance, we got on the Garden State Parkway to check out a childhood landmark.

First thing's first, if you're going to the Jersey Shore, you gotta look the part.  You don't have to be a jacked up meathead to rock the boardwalk, you just have to have style.  Well what says style more than Slimer?  As soon as I found this shirt, I knew I had to have it and knew exactly where I'd wear it.  The Jersey Shore was the perfect spot and, with those kicks, I received compliments all day long.  Pauly D aint got nothing on CK ;)

As soon as we got to Seaside, it was somber.  It was a surreal moment.  Seeing the disaster on TV and on the Internet is one thing, but seeing it up close and personal is another.  I couldn't believe it.  I felt as if I just walked into a wake or a funeral.  My childhood memories had taken place in these very spots.  This is where so many people shared moments and experiences together.  I'm sure countless couples shared their first kiss on the Ferris Wheel that once stood mightily on this pier.  I'm sure children laughed and loved on these rides and made their parents proud to be parents.  Its amazing how much was ruined by a storm, but this disaster could have been much worse and if the loss of attractions is the worst of Seaside's problems, then they're in good shape.

 

In 2008, I stood in the exact spot those two photos above were taken.  Look at the roller coaster in the background.  Look at the rides!  They're all gone now and I'm glad I have this picture to remember what was.

The damage is severe and it's safe to say that Seaside is only half open, but the construction crews are hard at work and on their way to rebuilding the boardwalk and piers to be even better than they were before.  And despite what you see, Seaside is far from sad.  Yes, when you first see it, it's a shock.  But then you realize that the stands are packed.  The arcades are pumping out their usual jams.  The restaurants and bars are open and, of course, the beach is full.  For as bad as Seaside was, and still is, it's far from closed and far from dead.  You may not be getting 100% of what the Jersey Shore had to offer a year ago, but you're getting more then half of what was there.  It's still a great atmosphere and experience.  It's still fun and you soon forget about what happened.

Now what are the chances that Slimer would be at the Jersey Shore the same day I wore my Slimer T-Shirt?  That was awesome.  You don't know how happy I was to see that giant stuffer Slimer hanging from the boardwalk stand.  I had no interest in attempting to win something so big, but I looked all over for a crane game in those arcades.  If I could have found one, I probably would have spent whatever it took to wrap that claw around him just to take a picture and post it here on The Holidaze.  Unfortunately, one was nowhere to be found, but we'll see what Point Pleasant, NJ has to offer when we make it there this summer.  I will put on that shirt again just to act as if it's a coincidence when I find it.  "Ohh Slimer? Wow, he's so old that's crazy he's here, whoa.."  Little will they know!

Believe it or not, I've never had a beer at the Jersey Shore.  I'm 26 years old and have never had an alcoholic beverage at the Jersey Shore.  I may be the furthest thing from The Situation that you can find on the boardwalk.  But after seeing the recovery process, and an awesome rooftop bar, we had to sit back in the sun and toast to a new beginning for Seaside.  Not only did that ice cold beer hit the spot, but it was only $1.50 and makes for a great photo with the beach in the background.  If that doesn't sum up the perfect day, I don't know what does.

As you can see, it was a beautiful day and there were plenty of beach goers enjoying the weather.  Despite the damage done to the piers, the boardwalk is in perfect condition because they've completely rebuilt the structure in less 6 months.  That's impressive and I have to tip my cap to everybody who took part in the process.  Whether it was fundraising, donating, or physical labor, the boardwalk at Seaside wouldn't be back without any of you.  Thankfully, the people are coming back and supporting the rebuilding effort as well.

While taking everything in and enjoying our beers, this little lady decided to land on my girlfriend's watch and remind us that not all nature is a disaster.  This was a pretty cool moment and, for some reason, there were lady bugs everywhere.  Are the attracted to new wood or something?  Are they attracted to shiny objects?  I've been going to the shore for years, and I don't think I've ever seen one lady bug, let alone 7 in one day.  There must be a reason.  Regardless of why, it made for a pretty picture of two pretty ladies.

Speaking of pretty... here I am.  Before leaving the rooftop bar, I had to take my picture in the funhouse mirror.  Why?  Because it was there!  You don't see a funhouse mirror and NOT stand in front of it!  You're not human if you don't want to see what you'd look like in a funny, distorted, body!  I still look awesome, but I don't know if my girlfriend agrees.  I think she's more impressed by Slimer!

Like I said in the last post, I will never ever turn down a game of Pop-a-Shot as it's one of my favorite things to do at the arcade.  This one, with the NBA logos on the backboard, is one of the best designs because I know exactly where to bank the ball.  And seeing that the high score was only 63, I knew I could beat it.  My personal high is 99, so I was going to at least hit 64 and become the new Seaside Champion!

Challenge accepted!  Challenge won!  The new high score is now 71 and, of course, I had to put my hand over the New York Knicks logo because I am a huge Brooklyn Nets fan and never miss out on an opportunity to cross out the Knickerbockers.  It's always an added bonus!

Now, if you're going to Seaside, you better not be on a diet.  You better not be trying to watch your weight because, if you're going to truly embrace the experience, you have to chow down on some classic boardwalk sweets and treats.  Just look at what this menu has to offer.  Zeppoles, Fries, Funnel Cake, Pizza!! And that's just the tip of the iceberg as you walk up and down the boardwalk.  In this case, we were looking for real food (as real as it gets at Seaside) and split Cheese Fries and a Coke.  But we were just bracing ourselves for what came later.

 

I'm not a fan of hermit crabs, but I love the designs people paint on their shells.  On this day, there were two that stood out to me and those were the Teenage Mutant Ninja Hermit Crabs.  For as disgusting as that crab's legs or claws are, the Turtles' shell makes up for it.  Because there are two of them, and they're wearing the red eyebands, I have to assume that they're based on the Mirage Comics.  And you can assume that I'm a giant geek.

Hermit crabs and cheese fries are all well and good, but do you see what I see?  Do you see that box on that shelf?  Could that... be? Is that... a box of.. Twinkies??  Noo way.. It can't be.  This was at "Fry Me Up" where they will essentially fry anything.  Oreos, Reeses Peanut Butter Cups, Pickles, Raviolis, you name it.  But their menu still said "Twinkies," so I had to ask..

Hey man, are you actually selling the REAL Twinkies? You have them?

He said... YES!  He said that he bought 150 boxes before they sold out and still has a few more left.  He also informed me that Drake's was owned by Hostess and also went out of business.  I didn't know that, but it explains why I haven't seen Devil Dogs anywhere.  He had those, too and was willing to fry them up!  The guy was nice and had cool stories, but he said that he turned down a $300 offer for a box of Twinkies last week.  Um, are you crazy?  A fried Twinkie is only $3.50.. You're not making that much profit to turn down an offer like that!  If I were him, I would have put them all up on Ebay when I had the chance.  Now, Twinkies will be back in about a month or so and the novelty will have worn off.  Oh well, I'll gladly give you $3.50 to have my FIRST Twinkie ever!

This was the highlight of the Seaside experience.  Believe it or not, I have never had a Twinkie before.  I'm not a huge fan of cake, so I guess I never thought to go out of my way for a Twinkie.  I knew how popular they were, but it never lured me in when Hostess was in business.  Then, when they went out of business, I searched everywhere for a damn Twinkie.  I guess you always want what you can't have, because I became a mad man and was unable to find one anywhere.  Then, of course, everybody told me how crazy I was for never having one and what I missed out on.  Blah blah blah... Well, now, thanks to the Jersey Shore, I've had my first Twinkie ever and it was fried in all it's glory!!  We also had fried Oreos so, suffice it to say, we were pretty full.  But what a great way to end our trip back to the Jersey Shore!

So yes, the rumors are true!  The Jersey Shore is on the rise and will be back stronger than ever in the days, weeks, and months to come.  We only went down for a quick visit, but will surely get more out of Seaside, as we've always done in the past, as the Summer progresses and the weather heats up.  Until then, make sure you do what you can to create your own carnival experience.  I suggest deep frying something.