Wednesday was our “do something in New Jersey day”. For us, that meant head to the shore to experience Atlantic City. Atlantic City is referenced often in movies, songs, and stories, so this was a good opportunity to create a first-hand reference. We were off to a great start before we even left the Tuckerton area because we lunched at a nice little place, The Patio Drive-In, and Ryan spotted a Bald Eagle flying over the Bass River. The Eagle also appeared to be having lunch!
It was an easy drive over to Atlantic City—pine barrens, marshes, and beach. We scouted the area briefly to find our parking spot so we could hit the boardwalk. But before we could even do that, we learned a new game (sure to be popular at family reunions across the country). We’re calling it “Brick Tag”. An unfortunate couple were quite obviously having a heated disagreement next to the parking lot. I don’t know what he did, but she was trying to hit him with a brick. After she threw the first one (miss), she ran back into the road and got another one to go after him with (I think it was another miss). We wisely were not actually following them, so the last we saw, she was zipping across the parking lot toward their car. Not sure who won the game, but there were no ambulances, so maybe it was a tie.
Anyway, off to the Atlantic City boardwalk for us. Originally started in 1870, the AC boardwalk was the first in the United States. It currently stretches much longer than the original one mile, and is surrounded by casinos, beaches, shops, rides, and attractions. We headed to Steel Pier first, the pier that has the amusement park rides and games. I was determined to do the Ferris wheel, and dragged the rest of the family with me. Although heights are not everyone’s favorite thing, the air conditioned cars may have been the winning point. The Ferris wheel does give you an excellent view of the area. I quite enjoyed it. I also made everyone ride the carousel. It’s the only horseback riding Audrey is getting this week. Even Gillian tolerated riding these horses. Ryan was our experimental guinea pig for the midway games. He was set to do the 2 minute hang—and he had it—but at 30 seconds to go, the bar you hold onto started turning. A little fact they fail to mention when you say you’ll play the game. House wins.
We also stopped in one of the Arcades. Audrey’s heaven—or nightmare? Claw machines on both sides of the entry for 25 feet or more. Of course she had to give it a go. 7 tries for $5.00. Audrey is a bit of a claw machine fanatic, and has a fairly decent track record. She picked up several stuffed animals, dead to rights, but the claw always dropped them right before they made it all the way to the end. House wins, again.
Atlantic City is also known as Monopoly City. I’m going to let Greg explain that more, as it was his fact that I didn’t know until today.
Monopoly was originally created to teach the 99% about the evils of monopolist corporations. It went through several integrations before it was finally sold to Parker Brothers by Charles Darrow. Many changes had been made to the original ‘Landlord Game’ before it was finally produced for the masses as Monopoly. The Quakers added hotels and a Real Estate agent named Raiford (ancestor of a high school friend) added actual property values for the streets of Atlantic City.
Back to Melissa--
Next, we went to the Atlantic City Ripley’s Believe It or Not. It had the expected collection of absurd, interesting, and odd. Shrunken heads, car part Hulk, a hair from each of The Beetles (music group, not insects). The obligatory look into the mirror where you aren’t supposed to know that they are taking your picture. Gillian, our performer, of course waved. What we really went to see specific to this location (or at least I did), was the skeleton of the Jersey Devil. Birthed by a witch, the Jersey Devil has been terrorizing New Jersey ever since. The head and horns of a ram, the wings of a dragon, cloven hooves—I’m not sure what it does if you run into it. I wonder if Skunk Ape could take it on?
Having enjoyed enough boardwalk, we headed back to the RV to save Kevin and get some dinner. Short note there, don’t be afraid to eat outside. There was quite a wait at the restaurant due to the limited number of larger tables. We were able to skirt part of the line by volunteering to sit outside (I’d say on the patio, but they were pouring concrete to make that, so it was more by the road.). Anyway, what is 80 degrees in NJ, when you are used to 95 in Tennessee?
Then to round out the day, Gillian’s favorite thing, “Loki Day”. If you don’t know Gillian well, you may not know that she has a bit of an obsession with Loki (the Marvel character). I believe Gillian has been looking forward to the Loki story line since before Marvel even decided to write one. Wednesdays are when the new Loki shows premier. Gillian will adamantly refuse to look at anything on the internet on Loki day until she has had a chance to see the day’s episode for herself. She is also a stanch believer that there should be NO SPOILERS blatantly posted; anything posted that may give something away should have at least two warning pages, and even then, content should be put upside down. Gillian has convictions and we support her all the way! Immediately after dinner, Loki day commenced. In this one, Loki and Mobius….
Just kidding. I wouldn’t do that. You’ll just have to see for yourself.
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