Jersey Shore Magazine

J e r s e y s h o r e • S P R I N G 2 0 2 2 38 F JERSEY SHORE LANDMARKS For most of my first twenty-five years, I lived at the Jersey Shore, literally close enough to hear the surf through my bedroom window at night. Then I traveled and adventured, living at various times in South Carolina, Hawaii, California, Florida, Pennsylvania, and, currently, in Delaware. Yet I always felt that my feet were most at home at the ocean's edge along the Jersey Shore. During my travels, many people I met expressed pride in their home states. Their dominant impression of New Jersey, however, was formed by traveling on the Turnpike. I was struck by the low opinion people had of my state and how often it was the butt of jokes. Little did they know of what is here! Now, whenever I can get back to the Shore, I try to bring along friends who are unfamiliar with the Garden State and give them a tour of what I selfishly refer to in jest as the "Gordon Coast"—the forty-plus-mile stretch from Sandy Hook to Island Beach State Park where I grew up. I refer to it this way as I'm proudly showing it off—it is "my coast" and "my home." Anyone who calls this place home can substitute their name in pride instead if they wish, and most of these unique locales can all be seen in a single day. The view towards Barnegat Bay at Island Beach State Park. Gordon and guest at the 9/11 Memorial at Mount Mitchill Scenic Overlook. Gordon Hesse Gordon Hesse Traveling the "Gordon Coast" Monmouth & Ocean Counties' Shore Highlights by Gordon Hesse Sandy Hook - Gateway National Recreation Area Mount Mitchill Scenic Overlook Twin Lights of Navesink Sea Bright Asbury Park Ocean Grove Shark River Inlet and Bridge Manasquan Inlet and Point Pleasant Beach Bay Head Station Lavallette Boardwalk Seaside Heights Island Beach State Park Atlantic Ocean B a r n e g a t B ay Sandy Hook Bay 36 35 36 Garden S t ate P k w y 36 35 18 18 33 138 33 195 35 70 37 9

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