357/8

Celebrating this first full day of winter was made so much easier by the mere fact it was near 60 degrees today! Getting out of work early, B and I decided a walk along the boardwalk was in order. This is the place Bruce Springsteen mentions in his version of Santa Claus is Coming to Town. Today there was no “wind whippin’ down the boardwalk”.  ~ Christmas Greetings from Asbury Park.

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Due to a conflict in our work schedules, it has been nearly two weeks since Phriend and I have had a chance to get out together and explore the world through our lenses. Phriend was off yesterday, I was not. So using my charming personality a bag of M&Ms, I begged my boss to allow me to leave work early. Success!

After little debate over our destination, we ended up in Asbury Park. The last time we visited, it was while bundled up in our winter gear and knew we would be back during the warmer days. We strolled around the town, window shopping the small shops but we could hear the sound of the ocean calling us.

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Asbury Park is not a place which is currently frequented by many. In it’s day it was claimed to be the “Jewel of the Jersey Shore”. Sadly, over the past two decades it has become an area of high crime, full of fallen, decaying buildings.

After my recent trip, documented by many photos, and a local program featuring this town, B’s interest was peaked. Photos of the ornate carousal house, the old Casino building, and the artful graffiti begged to be visited. Today, bright and sunny, proved to be an excellent day to venture up to this lost town.

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In it’s heyday Asbury Park was glorious, full of summer vacationers from both near and far. At nearly a mile long, the boardwalk is one of the smaller ones down the shore but it had the Casino. A grand building featuring a carousel, race track cars, roller rink, arcade and ocean side restaurants. Over the last 20 years the town has fallen into poverty and the crime rate is at an all time high. Many of the boardwalk buildings are currently in a state of disrepair.

This town was made famous by Bruce Springsteen. He can still be heard playing at the legendary Stone Pony. He has sung about the “wind whippin' down the boardwalk” and used several of the town landmarks on his album covers. Still the town is not one in which most people have on their must visit list. I did say most people. Phriend and I knew it would be full of many photo opportunities and included it on ours. With fingers crossed, we ventured into town. We captured some wonderful photographs of the old buildings, had a fabulous time looking around and I am glad to say returned home unharmed.

55/310

Last year when I purchase my DSLR, it came with 2 kit lens, a 18-55mm and a 55-200mm. While these lens have functioned well and fit many of my photography needs, I found I was forever changing between the two. Jokingly, I call B my “camera boy”. He, ungrudgingly, would carry and hand the lenses off to me as needed. Phriend even made me a fabulous lens bag to carry them so they were both at the ready. During my 50 + years and as a general rule, I don’t find I envy others.

Recently, after Phriend purchased a 28-300mm, I got a major case of the “I wants, I need to haves”. This lens covers most of the range I shot in and as an added bonus it ups to 300mm!

After pining for sometime and doing much investigating, Phriend and I went to our favorite camera shop. There sitting in the show case was this “must have“. I touched it, played with it, took several photos with it and drooled all over it. I treated myself to it! In celebration, Phriend and I just had to get out. Luckly for me I found this roller blader out practicing his skill too.