When talking with a friend the other day, we were talking about places that always bring us a sense of joy. When he asked me what place that would be for me, I had one answer: Long Beach Island, NJ. A barrier island of New Jersey, with only one entry point via Rt. 72, Long Beach Island (LBI) has always been one of my happy places. My mother and her family has been vacationing on LBI, specifically Beach Haven and Brant Beach, since the 1980s and has quickly become one of the premiere vacation destinations for my family and I. Whenever I tell my friends about the amount of fun I have had on LBI, they’re quick to laugh and list the reasons why their shore town is better. For me, however, LBI is perfect.
Yes, that’s baby Harrison soaking up the rays in Beach Haven. I’ve been going to Long Beach Island, more so Beach Haven, for the majority of my life. Throughout my childhood, it was a happy place where my family and I escaped the hustle and bustle of daily life, all for a relaxing week at the beach. I remember telling all of my classmates, as a kid, how amazing Beach Haven was. I always looked forward to seeing my family, all of us coming together for one week of awesome fun. I also loved being able to connect with my cousin, Charley. It’s because of those vacations that we became so close. I finally knew what it felt like to be needed and loved and finally became the older brother I always wanted to become. Whether it was our trips to the Woo Hoo, Fantasy Island, Bay Village, or walking down to the dock to watch the boats fly past us, we always had a blast. Here’s to even more fun in the sun, as always on Long Beach Island. Below I’ve compiled some of my favorite photos from my trips to LBI. Let me know what you think in the comments below!
