Brigantine

Going to the beach is like breathing for me. I can't survive a summer without doing it continuously. One of my trips this month was with the "girls"(1,2,3,5). We found each other through a neighborhood book club and it has been "besties" ever since. We wanted to plan a little trip and lucky for us a set of in-laws happened to own a condo on the beach. I hadn't heard of Brigantine previously but it is an island just past Atlantic City. Upon arrival I found that it is beautiful and filled with private beaches. And so because we had one injured among us(9)- she threw out her back the week before, we are at that age I suppose- what was to be a wild weekend filled with dancing and karaoke simmered to something even better. We spent hours on the beach and at the pool. We ate ourselves practically into a diabetic coma, or at least that is how it felt, alternating between amazing seafood cuisine - a little shout out to Cellar 32(4,8,12) - and junk food galore mixed with the best Italian bakery. I feel all euphoric just remembering the food.

At the beach talking was minimal as we all sat and read furiously, this is was brought us together after all(7,11). At the pool we entertained ourselves with noodle assisted physical therapy and laughing till I almost drowned on pool water(12). And in the evenings we took a short trip to the Atlantic City boardwalk, but mainly played card games like Spoons and BS, and trivia games like Who Wants To Be A Millionaire(6). Crazy me in all my excitement forgot my New Moon Trivia Game that they had given me for my birthday, but I know we'll play it again, even though I lose continuously because among these girls I am in the kiddie pool of Twilight Trivia.

Highlights of the trip were spotting the gems on the Atlantic City strip. Middle aged friends who wore identical outfits, a family who decided to go swimming without bathing suits, and then decided to walk in dripping clothes along the boardwalk, and all kinds of other crazies. My favorite is this gem(below) who yes she is donning what looks like a swimsuit. But because pants are required in the casinos she has carefully picked this stunning pant which is basically black nylons with a flower design to wear over top. The picture I know is horrible, the lighting and distance provided a challenge, but I still laugh as I look at it. Because I remember stalking her like a jungle cat to conspicuously get this picture. Imagine that. I'm sure your laughing now too.
Pictures are still forth coming as Linds, our in house photographer, has way better photography skills as well as hundreds more pictures some even including me, and a camera I only dream about.