Our first time “down the shore” was a different experience for us. We were all used to the quiet and boredom of Cape Cod. At the Jersey Shore it was fun and there were lots of things to do besides baking out in the sun. There was a real wooden boardwalk with game parlors, food smells, and gift shops. You could win new music albums, towels, and cool T-shirts by only betting a quarter on a number. It was gambling, but somehow it was legal. There were great rides, particularly at the Steele Pier. The Wild Mouse was a scary roller coaster, The Zipper, ferris wheels, and my favorite, bumper cars. Bumper cars are still at the shore now, but in the 1960’s there were no safety harnesses or guidelines. It was a every man for himself and take no prisoners mindset. If your car stalled, or you were jammed in a corner, good luck. The most you could do is pray for the ride to time out and not die in the process of being ruthlessly rammed by every enraged teen and girl scout. It was different story when you were running fast and spied a timid driver, or even better, a stalled brother, then it was time to unleash hell and let the Devil sort out the pieces.

NEXT UP – Gator Gal