Wow! What fun we had in those years. “Where the Boys Are” was where the girls were.
I drove a 1964 Pontiac LeMans, a black convertible with a white top. I was a spoiled young lady. The top was down when driving to my folks’ house in Brick Township on the Barnegat Bay. All my girlfriends came and spent weekends with my family and me.
My brother Ron had a 22-foot boat, and I loved to water ski. My brother Joe drove the boat in circles, trying to make me fall down. I actually could slalom ski with one ski.
My friends and I would go out at 9:00 at night, cruising to car hops with the convertible top down. What a feeling, with the breeze blowing in our hair! We really had our share of fun. Good clean fun with fellas we just met and picked up. We could ride along the oceanside, talk, and stop to buy a soda.
Our destination was from the Surf Club to Hoffman House in Point Pleasant, and to Murphy’s Bar in Ortley Beach. We were of drinking age at the time. We made friends and danced all night ‘til we were exhausted. One night, my friend Gerry and I went to Murphy’s and couldn’t sit because the place was packed. The fella next to Gerry said, “There are four seats available. Would you like to sit with us?” She said “Yes,” and I looked across the table to see a handsome young man opposite me. He introduced himself and told me his name was Ray. I was a happy camper because I thought he was cute and very pleasant to talk to.
When the bar closed, they asked if we would like to meet at the Holly Diner (which no longer exists).
That evening was the time I met my husband of 55 years. We were complete opposites, for which I thank God. Three children and six grandchildren later, I can reflect on the good times, rough times, and the blessings of a happy marriage. Times were a lot different then, but how blessed I was to meet some really nice people and enjoy a wonderful summer vacation—dancing, drinking, going to the beach, the boardwalk—truly having fun.
Thank God for protecting us, and that we all met our husbands at the shore. We all stayed married, too.
How about that!
