4th Of July On Green Island, Toms River

Early morning clouds gave way to mostly sunny skies by about 11 am in the little community I call home. So, the wife and I along with one of my kids packed up the golf cart and headed out. Our destination? One of the two private beaches in Green Island. The Point Beach, as it's known, is my favorite. You can fish, crab, play volleyball, bocce, horseshoes, ect. Or just chill in the bay or on the beach. It's pretty sweet as far as bay beaches go, I must say. We love it.

By about 3:30, the beach was pretty packed. The wife and I  decided to head out and get dressed for a bike ride around Silverton. However the weather Gods had other plans. A couple of miles into our ride, we were struck with a deluge! We were soaked! In fact, I imagined every car passing us on Kettle Creek Road leading back into Green Island was laughing at us. "Look at those poor wet saps"! Meanwhile, I could still hear my wife's voice in my head when I said it was starting to look gray ahead of our ride. "Jim, it's gonna pass over, and besides, it's only water!" Yeah, water.

By the time I was firing up the grill, it looked like the fireworks were a go at the Jersey Shore! My daughter was heading out with her friends to do what 22 year olds do at the Jersey Shore on the 4th of July, and my son wanted to stay home with our dogs. One of our pups, Cash, is very scared of fireworks. So my son took one for the team. With that, the wife and I packed up our beach chairs and some beers, and of course bug spray! We headed back down to the Point Beach. Once again it was packed, but this time by families all dressed in their 4th Of July best. Sparklers, kids, parents. Locals and vacationers, all together to witness a truly original site.

Starting south from Seaside, through Ortley Beach, Lavallette, Brick Beach, Mantoloking, and even a little bit of Jenkinson's fireworks in Point Pleasant. Meanwhile, a 180 degree head turn and behind us are the Brick Township fireworks in full display. Just when you think it can't get anymore intense, one of the locals starts firing off mortars from their dock! It was a display worthy of Macys!

In the end, it wound up being one of the best Independence Day celebrations I have experienced in my 20 years here. Just another magical day and night in a magical place called Green Island. Please drive 25. :)