Arriving at Sea Isle City, New Jersey with Family
After a busy weekend full of local events and gatherings, Michael and I awoke on Monday morning to gather some clothes, beach chairs, a few books, and venture down the highway toward Sea Isle City, New Jersey. My aunt and uncle had gathered up the funds to procure a house along Landis Avenue over a decade ago. Each summer, every family of the Palladino clan enjoys a rotating, week-long vacation down at the shore. This house has seen it all, from community beer festivals and wedding parties to hurricane-induced floods. But through it all, the structure remains a beautiful beacon of family, resilience, and good spirits.
The drive from Glens Falls, New York to the South Jersey Shore is a long, epic journey, cruising down multiple highways in a span of five hours. Given the long drive, we take turns at the wheel, with Michael navigating the beginning part of the journey. We usually stop part way through in New City, New York where Michael’s mother, Maryanne, currently resides. Michael and I always enjoying seeing the sights of the town he grew up, astonished at the constantly changing landscape of businesses.
Maryanne had sold the family home on Rheinlander Lane several years ago when Arthur’s Altheimer’s had become too severe and required dedicated medical staff. The community that she moved into has created friendships and support as she ventures into a life without her lifelong partner. When we arrived for a short visit, she provided a lesson on different kinds of sunscreen, imploring to use mineral-based sunscreens and avoid those with a multitude of harsh chemicals. We also discussed the exciting Biele family plans in October for Gabriel’s wedding who is Michael’s younger brother. Gabriel, and his fiancé Becca, are actually staying with us in Sea Isle City for the first time this week.
It was dusk when we finally arrived, exiting off the Garden State Parkway and over the bridge that connects Sea Isle to mainland New Jersey. Rolling down the windows, we breathed in the salty air, admiring the bustle of activity all around as vacationers and locals enjoyed the nightlife. We passed by the Fish Alley sign that marks the road where fish markets and restaurants stood, as well as the promenade that follows the shoreline. When we arrived at our destination, we unpacked our belongings, stashing drinks into the fridge, and hugged my family. After reconnecting for a couple hours, Michael and I went to bed, making plans to walk together to the promenade tomorrow morning.
Rising early on Tuesday, Michael and I ate some breakfast, electrified are senses with caffeine, and headed out the door to walk toward the center of town. The walk was enjoyable though longer than we anticipated, clocking in at four and a half miles roundtrip. We took in the sights of other vacationers strolling along the sidewalks. About a mile and half into the journey, I made two young boys smile when I relinquished a dollar to procure a cup of handmade lemonade from their makeshift stand. The older of the two snapped a picture of the younger boy pouring a cup, most likely to share it with their parents.
We ventured into the shops ahead, snagging some books from the local bookstore, The Book Nook. I bought John Green’s Turtles All the Way Down, a novel about a girl solving a mystery while dealing with the turmoil of her obsessive-compulsive disorder. I also picked up a paperback edition of Homer’s The Odyssey since I had recently seen a teaser trailer for director Christopher Nolan’s next film project. I do not recall reading the book in school, but I am excited to delve into Greek mythology with Homer’s classic epic.
As we headed back home, I chatted with a gentleman giving out pamphlets about the empowering ideals of the Bible for redemption. He had been a drug addict and dealer for years, lost in the sea of a tumultuous life, before heeding the call of God’s grace. I told him about my own journey of salvation and the power of sobriety. He appreciated the kind words, as both of us wished each other well. By the time we got back to the beach house, Michael and I were thoroughly exhausted.
My cousin, Anthony Palladino, had just parked his car, heading inside with a bag to begin his own vacation. His beard is just as epic as my own, though sporting a distinguished look with hints of grey. His twin brother, Dan, also cultivates a bearded persona, though his is significantly longer. We reconnected with Anthony for a bit before he hauled luggage to the northside of the beach house, excited to spend a day or two at the beach. Michael and I rested after the excursion to the promenade before Gabriel and Becca arrived.
It was a surreal experience to introduce my brother-in-law and his fiancé to the family beach house. The Palladino and Biele clans have, finally, begun to intermingle, starting last August when Maryanne and Michael’s sister, Katrina with her family, stayed at the beach house. It was unique and memorable, especially since Katrina and her husband, Ben, brought along their two young kids, Justin and Daniel. Katrina and Ben now live in Illinois, where Ben works as a professor at a university. Reconnecting with Gabriel and Becca at the kitchen table spanned the gamut of conversations, whether the planned bachelor, bachelorette, and wedding parties, past recollections, and current events. After our conversation, Gabriel and Becca unpacked as my brother, sister, and dad started to arrive back from a day relaxing by the ocean.
Within a short hour, we all gathered upstairs to eat some burgers, hotdogs, watermelon slices, and chips. Afterward, we moved onto the deck as the sun began to set, enjoying the company of my cousins, Tina and Anthony, as well Tina’s other friends. It was well after ten o’clock by the time some of us headed to bed, hoping for a good day tomorrow. I’ll continue recollecting the week in Sea Isle City, hoping to bring awareness to the sights and experiences that this lovely place offers. Stay tuned!
