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USA · July 27, 2010

Tempting Tuesday: Long Beach Island Bliss with Lisa Fantino

Nothing speaks to the heart like the beach where we’ve grown up or spent many years of our life. It becomes something more than just a place to cool off on hot summer days. It is a place that soothes our souls, a place full of memories of picnics, time together with friends and family, and time spent dreaming alone. This week Lisa Fantino from Wanderlust Women Travel has stopped by to share with us about her favorite beach, Long Beach Island in New Jersey.

Welcome, Lisa!

________________________________________________________

I adore che bella vita in Italia. Don’t get me wrong. Yet, when it comes to beaches, my heart belongs to Long Beach Island in New Jersey. It has been the site of so many great events and great recuperations in my life that it would be silly for me to even think that there is any other beach like home.

 

LBI1

LBI, or Exit 63 (on the Garden State Parkway) as locals refer to it, is a 19 mile stretch of white sand, crashing waves and bliss for this solo traveler. I discovered this treasure during my college days and have relished every moment on it since then.

The Old Barnegat Lighthouse stands watch over the northern end of the island and the closer one gets to the bird sanctuary at the southern end, the closer the lights of Atlantic City come into view. It’s the big city which seems so close but is thankfully far away.

 

Old_Barney_Lighthouse

During the summer it can take 3 hours to canvas the Boulevard. Families crowd the amusement arcade of Bay Village or the mini-golf course, while everyone from 21+ hits the bar scene. The strip is lined with the old haunts that never die like The Ketch, Nardis and of course, rock ‘n’ roll’s finest, Joe Pops.

LBI is the Jersey Shore at its best and not at its worst as some recent entertainment references might lead you to believe. However, I avoid LBI like the plague between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Many people think I’m crazy because the summer is all about your favorite beach but not in this case. I wait until the tourists and daytrippers have left the clean white sand behind and all of the traffic lights along the Boulevard have gone from a steady stream of brake light red to a flashing mellow yellow.

 

Wanderlust_Women_LBI_bliss

Off-season LBI is about autumn thunder and lightning storms on the beach, as the bolts light up the night sky and the waves rock the stilt houses. It’s all about shooting stars so close you can almost reach out and touch them. LBI in the fall is about watching the seagulls stream across the turning leaves at Barnegat Light, where Victorian mansions still dot the sparsely populated end of the island. In winter, there is nothing prettier than watching New Years Eve fireworks sparkle the horizon as snow blankets the beach. In spring, you dust yourself off and watch the island, long closeted for the cold winter, come back to life, as the shops and restaurants come back one by one.

LBI_beach_escape_seagulls._F

LBI is perfection – it is catching a sunset down at the bird sanctuary where evening surfers ride the waves into a wave of purple, rose and gold. I can travel the world but Long Beach Island is where I come to find myself again.

_________________

Lisa Fantino is an award-winning journalist and attorney and the creative force behind Wanderlust Women Travel and the recently launched Italy destination wedding portal, Wanderlust Weddings. She also writes travel features for MNUI Travel Insurance and blogs as Lady Litigator.

Posted In: USA · Tagged: Beaches, Blogosphere, Guest Post, Tempting Tuesday, USA

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Comments

  1. Ciao Chow Linda says

    July 27, 2010 at 14:16

    Is it just me, or did you get a new photo at the top of your blog? In either case, I love the new look. And I love the white, sandy beaches of New Jersey too.

    Reply
  2. Saretta says

    July 27, 2010 at 17:29

    I had no idea there was such a lovely beach in NJ. Maybe because I've never been to NJ! Off-season is always my favorite season anywhere!

    Reply
  3. Global Butterfly says

    July 28, 2010 at 00:56

    I can't believe that I lived in NY for so long and never went to LBI ahhh!!! It looks amazing! Awesome pics and description.

    Reply
  4. Laura says

    July 31, 2010 at 08:57

    Ciao Linda! Thanks! I've been toying with the size over the past month and struggling with Blogger. I think I've got it settled now! It's a ceramic tile mural of the town of Vietri sul Mare.

    Ciao Saretta! I agree about off-season… it's the best time to travel. 🙂

    Ciao Andi! I've been close to LBI and I've seen that lighthouse, but I certainly didn't appreciate the beautiful beaches. I'll have to go back someday!

    Reply

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