a return to normalcy

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After a rather harrowing two days of head congestion, parts of which time was spent driving east through the flatlands, we arrived in our state's most populous region. We were far from the only ones visiting the beach in April, but an evening stroll on the "boardwalk" was a pleasant affair that included only a few others.

The next morning, after the free breakfast - during which an inordinate number of individuals exhibited incredible patience to brave the waffle experience - far more people were out taking in the air and the views. The weather had improved over the previous day's as well...

I won't deny that we've contributed to the commercialization of this area. We stayed in a new hotel with the ocean nearly at our feet. The hotels do a fine job of blocking the view - unless you are willing to pay the tariff, and become part of their clientele.

My other pet peeve? City vehicles driving on the beach, driving on the boardwalk, driving everywhere pedestrians should have exclusive access. Another reason it's hard to consider this thoroughfare a boardwalk.