Barnegat Beach

After a rainy Fourth of July in Atlantic City, we head up toward Barnegat Light where friends are waiting. Rick’s college buddy Jack and his wife Harriet are vacationing in Barnegat and have invited us for dinner at their summer rental house. Rick has seen Jack a number of times in the past few years, two years ago on an epic bike trip they took in Utah, in celebration (consolation) of them both turning 60. This spring they met for their 40th Yale reunion (yes, another geezer gathering), but it’s been a while since the four of us have gotten together. I am greatly looking forward to spending some time with them.

We’ve anchored the boat in Barnegat harbor several times, but have never visited the town. The shoreline here is built up with barriers, and the guide books are not helpful in pointing us toward a place to dinghy in. Luckily for us, a local couple notice that we are from Baltimore as they are dinghying past, and stop to say hello. They show us where a public dinghy dock is hidden behind some green rushes and marshland, and also tell us about the great cocktail hour at the only bar in town, right near the landing. Just think of what we’ve been missing!

Jack’s sister Connie is visiting as well, so there are five of us to enjoy drinks on their deck overlooking the bay, and then Harriet's herb-roasted chicken dinner. They sure make vacationing at a beach house seem inviting – they get the great waterfront views, but they also have hot showers and their house doesn’t move. We have such a good time with them that when they invite us to stay another day we jump at the chance.

Rick, Jack and Connie contemplating all the world's problems

The ocean beach is just a short stroll across the street from Jack and Harriet’s, and we all spend a gorgeous sunny afternoon there. I tend to hide under sunscreen and umbrellas, but I do love the beach, and the water is warm. Back at the house, Jack makes killer mojitos, and later we are treated to a grilled swordfish dinner and another glorious sunset. They’d better be careful - with treatment like this they’ll never get rid of us!