A Final “Thank You” to the Jersey Shore
Over the past three months, we’ve experienced a series of “never would I have thought” moments. Never did we imagine visiting New Jersey, let alone living here for three months. Never did we think we’d have the chance to live within walking distance of the beach. And never did we expect day trips to New York City—let alone how simple and routine those trips would become. New Jersey surprised us at every turn. We spent much of our time exploring what this area had to offer, and one of our favorite activities quickly became beach days. As the weather cooled, the beach only became more exciting. Here’s to our final blog post about living in New Jersey—and to the Jersey Coast!
Mile: 52,348
Quote of the Blog: “Travel is about the gorgeous feeling of teetering into the unknown.” - Anthony Bourdain
Song of the Blog: “Wild Trip” - DENM x Landon McNamara
After Memorial Day, many beaches stopped charging for access, the crowds thinned, and exploring the Jersey Shore became more peaceful. Fall weather in New Jersey was perfect, hovering between 60 and 75 degrees. We were lucky enough to enjoy one of the driest falls on record. One weekend, we visited Seaside Heights during an Italian Festival. We wandered the boardwalk, explored the festival, and then relaxed on the beach for hours. Being in Seaside brought plenty of laughs with all the “Jersey Shore” references.
The New Jersey coastline feels endless, dotted with charming towns. One of our favorites was Sea Bright, a quiet little town with amazing restaurants. Woody’s Bar & Grille became a favorite, reminding us of another Woody’s Bar we loved in Missouri. The peaceful beach and lack of crowds made it the perfect spot to relax.
The place we spent the most time, though, was just outside our rental in Keansburg. The beach here, on the southern side of Raritan Bay, isn’t technically on the Atlantic but still offers salty air and sandy shores. While the water was too murky for swimming, we enjoyed long walks and sunsets. Half Moon, our favorite local bar, was just a short stroll away. Many nights, we walked home along the beach, marveling at the glowing New York City skyline. No matter how often we saw it, the view never lost its magic.
One unforgettable night, we came across fishermen pulling in dogfish, a type of small shark. They were hesitant to handle them, so I mustered up some courage, grabbed one by the tail, and released it back into the water. It was a small but significant victory over my fear of sharks.
Our favorite beach, however, was at Sandy Hook. This stunning peninsula, managed by the National Park Service, becomes free to visit after Labor Day. We explored several areas here, drawn back repeatedly by the fall migration of striped bass. Watching the water come alive with baitfish and birds was incredible. After a few failed attempts, I finally caught a striped bass on my fly line—a thrilling moment. One visit took us to Gunnison Beach, New Jersey’s only nude beach. Despite the chilly November weather, we were surprised to find a few brave souls embracing the elements.
Having such easy access to these beaches was one of the most unexpected joys of our time in New Jersey. The beauty and recreational opportunities were endless. Though our three months here felt too short, we cherished every moment. The Jersey Shore’s reputation precedes it—and now we understand why.
With this farewell to New Jersey, our journey continues. Amity’s next contract takes us to Peterborough, New Hampshire, where we’re excited to embrace mountain life again. From all the new memories we made in New Jersey to the new adventures ahead in New Hampshire, the East Coast is proving to be full of surprises. Here’s to the next chapter!