‘New Jersey’ Articles at Sweetnicks, Page 3

Visit: Sahara Sam’s {West Berlin, New Jersey}

November 5, 2013 · Narrative

An indoor water park in South New Jersey makes a perfect escape for a day trip.

When I took the kids and a friend of Nick’s to Dorney Park in September, it was an overcast and dreary day. Luckily, all was ok in terms of riding the rides and doing sightseeing, but it was too iffy for the water park, so we skipped it.

And the kids were majorly disappointed, because they are all about water. Like they would seriously spend all day, every day at the lake, the beach, or any other small or large body of water if I let them.

So I promised them a consolation prize.

That I would plan a trip to Sahara Sam’s for the next month (October), and we would make a day out of it.

Little did they know, I already had free passes to Sahara Sam’s, tucked away for just the right time.

‘Cause I’m sneaky like that.

(And although people might think I’m silly for collecting Coke rewards, I’ve been doing it for about three years now, and that’s exactly how I got the free passes. So there.)

The indoor water park is open from 10 am until 7 pm, and our goal was to leave in the morning, when everyone was up, and be down there by lunch. It’s about an hour and a half away from us, but a pretty easy, mostly highway drive.

Which was totally narrated by two eleven year old boys in the back seat and their video game sound effects.

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Visit: Brookhollow’s Barnyard {Boonton Township, New Jersey}

October 1, 2013 · Narrative

One of the items on our Summer Bucket List was to visit a new farm, and we did during the last week before the kids went back to school. I first saw a newspaper ad for Brookhollow’s Barnyard a few years back, and it was in my wallet f-o-r-e-v-e-r. My only regret is that we didn’t get to visit it sooner.

If I ever live on a farm, it would totally look like this. (And living on a farm is totally a dream. I mean. Animals. Come on.)

The weather on the afternoon we visited could not have been more perfect, mid 80s with the most perfect blue skies ever. And this week, as we climb back up to the 80s, it’s a great time to visit if you’re in the area.

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Visit: Island Beach State Park {Seaside Heights, New Jersey}

September 25, 2013 · Narrative

Even though the calendar has officially closed the door to summer, I’d like to believe we still have a few more weeks that you can potentially visit the beach so I’m going to share one of our favorite Jersey Shore beach spots with you.

And when I say “we still have a few more weeks that you can potentially visit the beach,” I’m not thinking bathing suits because the weather isn’t quite warm enough for that. But this is also New Jersey, so anything is possible. Even with swimming potentially off the table, there is still lots to do in beach areas, just ask my kids.

Last weekend, we headed over to Island Beach State Park in Seaside Heights. Our goal: find sea glass. Both kids, inspired by their grandmother a few years ago, love to collect sea glass and each have their own small collections. It’s a fun, free activity, and a great way to spend an afternoon along the sandy shores.

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Visit: Morris Museum Mega Model Trains Exhibit {Morristown, New Jersey}

September 19, 2013 · Narrative

My Dad’s “thing” is model trains. That, and the Civil War. Well, ok, a few other wars too. But mostly the Civil War and trains. As we were growing up, we went to exhibits and train shows as a family, and he devoted his “me time” to his hobby. Now, years later, his collections sit in boxes gathering dust, just waiting for him to retire and break them out again.

One day.

So when I heard that the Mega Model Trains Exhibit was coming to the Morris Museum, I made a mental note of the dates so I could take the kids. On a Thursday afternoon before school started, we headed over to check out the exhibit.

Morris Museum holds a lot of fond memories for me as it is. They used to have a Christmas tree exhibit every year that my Mom would take us to. Rooms and rooms filled with small Christmas trees that had been decorated by hobbyists and local companies alike (my favorite was usually guaranteed to be the one decorated by Nabisco), it was an annual event that we looked forward to, which they have, unfortunately, seemed to discontinue.

Who knew the museum grounds would have been enough for the kids? Train exhibit? What train exhibit?

The 288-square-foot exhibit takes over a small room in the museum, not the largest train exhibit by any stretch, but unique in its own right. Interactive buttons around the perimeter of the exhibit allow you to switch lights on and off and work various other fun sounds and noises. The detail in these types of exhibits always amaze me. Mostly because I don’t have the patience to fiddle with teeny tiny things, and I love when someone else does, and does so well.

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Visit: The Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms

September 12, 2013 · Narrative

We still have just over a week until summer is “officially” over, and we’re busy focusing on finishing off our Summer Bucket List. We won’t get to everything, and that’s perfect because that’s totally the point. The idea behind the list is more to give us a jumping off point for summer fun and frivolity. We have several items that we plan to cross off this weekend, but in the meantime, last week we took care of the “museum” entry.

Whenever The Ex and I were househunting, which was a total of three times during our marriage, I always kept an eye out for two kinds of homes: Craftsman-style homes, and other style homes that had stone as their primary exterior material (because I have a healthy fear of house fires, and I also happen to like the way they look). And, unfortunately, none of the three homes that we owned fit either of these two criteria.

There is something about a Craftsman-style house that just exudes the word home. From the ceiling beams and wood detailing throughout, to the giant fireplaces and mantles, it is everything I want in a home. One day, maybe it will happen. Unfortunately, not likely in this area. But in the meantime? I will just daydream.

The next best thing? Visiting The Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms. In 1908, Gustav Stickley, the genius behind the arts-and-crafts/craftsman style purchased huge tracts of land in Morris Plains, to set down new roots for his large family (six kids). With over 30 acres on his “country estate,” his dreams were fulfilled with its beautiful rose garden, cow pasture, separate smaller homes for his daughters, and more. Unfortunately, the rapid expansion of his brand, and going off in too many different directions eventually led to bankruptcy and a far different ending than the beginning of his story, but his aesthetic certainly lives on in furniture and homes across the world.

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Review: Boom Burger {Rochelle Park, NJ}

July 17, 2013 · Narrative

It all started with a Groupon.

Two burgers, two orders of fries, one jumbo cupcake, and one 38 oz (super size!) alcoholic drink.

$27

A new restaurant that we hadn’t yet visited. Boom Burger.

A bit out of our local area, but not too bad.

Easy decision.

The restaurant is very easy to find, right off the Garden State Parkway and near IKEA and the Garden State Plaza Mall. Ample parking in the lot, and we were greeted as soon as we walked in.

We asked for a booth, if available, and since there weren’t any on the “restaurant” side, they suggested a half booth in the bar area. Perfect. But holy short seats, Batman! I swear I felt like my knees were hugging my chest the whole time during our two hour stay, and it was definitely a little bit of a challenge when we got up to leave.

The waitress came over to take our drink order, and we asked for her suggestions on burgers. Although she pointed out several menu items that she loved, we ended up going with different selections, but kudos to her for being helpful and knowing the menu and offerings. Some days, that’s a rarity! The menu, while not huge, offers enough of a variety that everyone should be able to find something easily. I personally find the huge menus too overwhelming. Odd that the online menu doesn’t include prices. The burgers were between $7-10 each.

When we saw the Guido Burger (with roasted red peppers, mozzarella, and a balsamic basil spread), we felt it our obligation, as born and bred Jerseyans, to order it. We also ordered the traditional Boom Burger, which featured two patties with cheese in the middle, and Boom Sauce on the side (sauce that you may more commonly know as Thousand Island).

For the fries, we went with the Parmesan and Rosemary version, and the standard version.

The alcoholic drinks are all named by color, and we chose the “pink.” Good and strong. They also have Sangria Towers available, which are perfect if you’re going with a large group.

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Visit: World’s Largest Tooth {Princeton, New Jersey}

July 12, 2013 · Narrative

Over the last few months, we have visited the tallest and largest Buddha statue, the world’s largest frying pan, and a 34-foot tall statue of Mary. Why not the world’s largest tooth next?

Another find, courtesy of the awesome Roadside America app, we hit this oddity a few weeks back when we were in Princeton for the afternoon. It is a replica of a human molar and stands an impressive 15 feet tall. It is on Sloan Avenue, in front of an industrial-type warehouse facility, across the street from the train station, and was very easy to find. Standing next to it, there are statues of a couple, looking very confused. I would be confused too if I suddenly discovered a fifteen foot tall tooth on the side of the road!

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Visit: Harbor View 9/11 Memorial Park

April 5, 2013 · Narrative

We happened upon this memorial park completely by accident. It was a Sunday morning, and the kids and I were out for a drive, with the docks of Bayonne as our destination. At the end of the pier, we happened to see this huge structure (100 feet tall!), and since Madeline was in the car sleeping and we had some extra time, Nick and I got out to investigate.

It is the Harbor View 9/11 Memorial Park. It is a gorgeous structure, 176 tons to be exact, designed by a Russian sculptor to honor those who lost their lives on 9/11. The gold piece in the middle of the structure is a teardrop, and the names of those that perished are etched all around the base, including those who died in the 1993 World Trade Center bombings as well. There are nine walkways surrounding the monument, and the base has 11 sides.

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Visit: Concrete Ship “Atlantus” {Sunset Beach, Cape May Point, NJ}

March 28, 2013 · Narrative

During my childhood and teen years, our family spent many, many summers down in Cape May and Cape May Point. Or DTS (down the shore) as Jersey folk sometimes refer to it.

Since we were there so often, we quickly developed a list of favorite haunts. Frozen coke on the boardwalk. Uncle Bill’s Pancakes for breakfast. George’s for the best chicken salad and most gigantic cinnamon rolls known to mankind. A trip to Sunset Beach to find shark’s teeth and “Cape May diamonds.” And a visit to the concrete ship.

When the kids and I took a day trip to Cape May last Spring, I took them to a few of those places. Some, unfortunately, were not open yet for the season. But the concrete ship at Sunset Beach? A must.

The critical shortage of steel during World War I is what prompted the building of twelve concrete ships. Originally launched in 1918, the concrete ship S.S. Atlantus actually *did* float and was used as a coal steamer. Eventually she was pulled out of commission, because her weight made her go really slow. No surprise there.

After she ceased being a “working” ship, she was brought to Cape May to be used as a loading dock for a ferry service, but her moorings broke before she could be properly placed there.

And every year, since she’s made from concrete, the Atlantus sinks deeper and deeper into the sand. It’s amazing to see just how far she’s sunk since we first started going there some 30 years ago. Wish I had pictures from back then!

*what’s left of the concrete ship as of April 2012

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Review: The Pop Shop {Collingswood, New Jersey}

December 28, 2012 · Narrative

Now if you happen to find yourself at the Adventure Aquarium and need a bite to eat, you’re in the perfect area to check out The Pop Shop. Located just four miles away in the cute downtown of Collingswood, it’s a little throwback joint that has received some national acclaim by being featured on Food Network’s Throwdown with Bobby Flay. If you’re not familiar with the show, the chosen restaurant dishes up the dish that they are most known for, and Flay then competes, using all of his chef prowess (and two helpers) in a throwdown, to see whose end product really is the best. When The Pop Shop competed, it was with their grilled cheese (they offer 31 varieties of it!).

But beyond the brush with fame, The Pop Shop was popular in its own right. Soda fountains, decorating reminiscent of the 1950s, and breakfast served all day, it’s a cute spot with a fun, cheery vibe. They have won numerous “best of” awards for their pancakes and their grilled cheese. On street parking and an easy-to-find location, we were lucky enough to snag a booth with no waiting. Although we had to ask for them, they have soda jerk hats and crayons to keep the kids busy while waiting for food.

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Visit: Pumpkin Patch {2012}

October 18, 2012 · Ad-Free, Narrative

Madeline reminded me that we hadn’t gone pumpkin picking yet this year. An observation that needed to be rectified right away. I try not to buy them when they first start appearing, because then they mold and get all icky before Halloween is even close. Now that we’re two weeks away, it’s time.

We visited a local farm we haven’t been to in awhile, picking up some local fresh vegetables (golden beets! green beans!) while we were there. They have a lot of items that you can’t find elsewhere, but, like anything else, you have to know your prices.

We also picked up a few decorations to put outside. Apparently I’ve been lax in that department. Or so I’ve been told. It used to be The Ex’s thing (and I along with him) when we were together, but the past few years, I haven’t been as motivated to continue. So instead, I keep it small scale.

Loved this witch. Couldn’t get close enough to see the price, but there were some less than half her size for $50, so there was no temptation beyond “oh how cool!”

This year, the farm had put together these fun hay animals. Which, of course, my kids climbed onto right away. Which ended in bickering because Madeline didn’t feel stable with Nick on at the same time. And, well, you know how rambunctious 10-year-old boys can be. It almost didn’t end well.

And what visit to the pumpkin patch is complete without the requisite kids-with-pumpkins picture?

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Visit: Barnegat Lighthouse

July 23, 2012 · Narrative

When the kids and I were down the shore for Spring Break, I took them to some of my old stomping grounds. Light sightseeing gave way to a stop at the Cape May Point Lighthouse (that picture and its accompanying beautiful sun flare is at the bottom of this post here). Madeline was enamored.

Like love at first sight.

I didn’t know about her infatuation with lighthouses before then.

Otherwise I would have timed it so we arrived there while the lighthouse was still open.

Unfortunately, I didn’t.

And it wasn’t.

And she has reminded me I promised her a lighthouse visit. Politely. Nearly every day since.

And this weekend, I made good on it. Albeit a different lighthouse.

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