Welcome to Atalantic City

With the kids away for the week at their father's for vacation, John and I wanted to find a place where neither of us had been to celebrate our anniversary.  We wanted a place were neither of us had been.  Eventually we narrowed down our choices to settle on Atlantic City.

 Jame's salt water taffy, truly delicious, originated in Atlantic City.  Who knew!  The name does not come from the use of salt water to make the taffy.  Rather the name comes after the taffy was soaked in ocean water after a major storm flooded the store.  When a little girl entered the store asking for taffy, the owner jokingly offered her "salt water taffy".

 Adult only cupcakes... Boozy-Cakes.

 Built in 1898, Steel Pier has been a destination for family entertainment ever since.

Atlantic City was the inspiration for the Parker Brothers board game, Monopoly, because of the fondness for childhood vacations spent in the beachside city by the inventor.  Most of the "real estate" for sale in the game is based on actual streets in Atlantic City.

 Absecon Lighthouse - New Jersey's tallest lighthouse (the country's 3rd tallest) is also one of the oldest built in 1857.  John and I climbed the 228 steps to the top for a view of the boardwalk.  The light keeper climbed this twice daily.  It houses the original first-order Fresnel lens imported from France, the largest and brightest of lens.

We made it!

 One the main reasons for coming to Atlantic City is to enjoy the beach.  This is where we spent most of the day... lounging, reading, and sipping on cool drink specials.

 As a family we enjoy picking up sea glass.  This was not on our list as the beach is quite sparse of rocks or shells.  But, low and behold, John found a piece of sea glass when we were strolling along the ocean.

A fun way to cool off.

 Most meals were low key during our trip.  However, we made reservations at Cuba Libre one night before taking in a show.

 It wouldn't seem right if we didn't gamble a bit.  On the slots we came up $20 ahead.  However we lost and won on three games we bet on.  We bet on Oregon to win against Auburn and lost at the last few seconds of the game.  Should Oregon have won, we would have tripled our bet.  Bummer.

 As it was nearing the end of the tourist season in Atlantic City, there were not as many shows available.  On a whim, we took in Legends in Concert along with a few hundred AARP members.  Regardless, we both enjoyed the performers and songs.

 George Michael

 My favorite... Elvis.  In addition to simply loving Elvis, he was quite entertaining with his side commentary.

The rest of the performers included David Bowie, Donna Summer, Bruno Mars, and Aretha Franklin.



 According to msn.com, Lucy the Elephant is one of the best road stops in New Jersey.  She is the oldest roadside attraction in America built in 1881 and is on the National Park registry of historic landmarks.  She was built as a lure for tourists and real-estate sales.  The inside was an impressive small house equipped with a bathroom.

A view of the New Jersey shoreline from Lucy's observation area.

 Sometimes spontaneity is the best.  On the drive home, we made a pit stop after seeing a sign for the Pez Visitor Center, located at the first manufacturer of Pez in the U.S.  Her is located the largest and most comprehensive collection of PEZ memorabilia on public display in the world. 





1 Year Anniversary

 The day after returning from Six Flags, John and I celebrated our one year anniversary.  Similar to our wedding, this was a family affair.  It was a treat for the kids to ascend 52 stories to dine at the Top of the Hub with a glorious view of Boston.  This was also an excellent opportunity to work on our dining manners.  Our waiter was ideal as he entertained the kids and even encouraged Micah to hold up his shrimp for the picture.

A picture by our budding photographer.. Micah.

 Izzy was probably the most ecstatic about the menu choices deciding on the monkfish special.

 Another bonus of our waiter, he asked the chef to make Victoria a cheese pizza as there was nothing on the menu she desired.  Hard to believe that's what she wanted at such a fancy restaurant.

 John's selection... duck, the same as what he ate one year ago.

 One of my favorites... a sushi grade tuna steak.

Another picture by Micah.

One Last Summer Fling

 

John and I asked the kids what they would like to do with the last weekend before school started.  All three of them agreed that they wanted to go to Six Flags.  That's not quite what John and I were expecting.  Nonetheless, we surprised the kids by picking them up early from camp to drive out to Springfield.

 Oddly enough we never knew that Six Flags had bumper cars as it was tucked away in a dead end corner.  That was one ride we all enjoyed... it was the first ride of the day and the last on our way out the park.

 Izzy rode two roller coasters... one with me and one with John.  While doing that, the twins frolicked in the Looney Tunes kids area with rides perfect for their age and size.  Izzy and I rode on the Wicked Cyclone which had not one but three unexpected, upside down twists.  That was a first for her.   

This was the perfect roller coaster for Micah and Victoria.  They loved it so much we rode it three times consecutively.

 Another family favorite as the kids are able to drive the vehicles... sort of.

 Blizzard River raft ride... before.

 Blizzard River raft ride.... after.  Need I say more?



Sometimes the best fun is impromptu and in unexpected places.  While packing to leave the hotel, Micah and Victoria performed a synchronized diving routine.