Something about being in the salt air always brings me peace and relaxation. My mother-in-law has lived in Somers Point, New Jersey, for the last two years. This past Memorial Day weekend my wife, son and I went to the beach and stayed with her. My daughter was invited to go with her friend to their beach house in another town. My son and wife got a jump on the weekend and went down Friday morning. I stayed behind and worked, then met them down there.

I met them in Ocean City, New Jersey, on the boardwalk. They had already been to Gillian’s Wonderland Pier, where there are rides for my son. Usually he drags me on the rides (okay, maybe he doesn’t have to encourage me too much), but I did not get there in time. He told me all about the rides he enjoyed. I think he liked Canyon Falls Log Flume the best this time. Some other rides he usually enjoys are Moby Dick, Haunted Dark Ride, Musik Express, Kite Flyer. and who doesn’t enjoy the swings?

One morning we rented a surrey and rode on the boardwalk. For those of you who do not know, a surrey is a multi-person bike. It looks like a little buggy where everyone has pedals to help it go. What is great about the 13th Street Bathhouse and Bikes is it allows you to park in its lot while you ride. So my son and I sat in the front and my wife and mother-in-law in the back. All four of us pedaled up and down the boardwalk. That morning the boards where crowded. I had the steering wheel, which was a challenge as some people walked slowly and others went fast. Trying to go around people while navigating people riding bikes was crazy. My son wanted to steer, which my wife encouraged me to have him take control — a little nerve-racking as I thought he was going to run people over. Thank goodness, I still had control of the hand brake!

The food on the boardwalk is always fun — not so healthy but always tasty. Funnel cake, fresh-squeezed lemonade, ice cream and, of course, as many different pizza places as you can imagine. There are toy stores, jewelry and so much more. The candy stores are always interesting to see the old-fashioned candy. There is usually a candy store window where they make fudge. There are miniature golf places, as well.

We did actually make it to the beach. It was a great day, great weather. Usually I love going in the water, but on this trip I did not go in. It was a little too early in the season as the water was too cold for me. That did not stop my son. He used his boogie board and rode the waves. It took us several times to get him to come out to eat lunch as he was having so much fun. He definitely could be a beach bum!

— Eli R. Shapiro, director of sales