Around Town
A taste of summer during the winter
Amy Rosen

CHRIS KELLY staff Guy Robinson, 11, of Freehold, races out of the water after jumping into the Atlantic Ocean at Donovan's Reef, Sea Bright, Jan. 7. The event was a fundraiser for Mater Dei High School, Middletown.

Mother Nature has been pretty kind to us so far this season, but she outdid herself on Jan. 6 when record-breaking temperatures reached as high as 74 degrees. On this glorious day my husband and I decided to take our youngest son to the beach for a taste of summertime in the winter.

When we got there it became apparent that we were not the only ones who had that idea. It was hard to believe it was just six days into the new year because from the looks of things, summer was in full swing at the Jersey Shore. The only people who didn't show up were the store owners who had closed up shop for the season - with the exception of the local donut shop which, by the looks of the dwindling inventory, did not expect such a barrage of customers that day. It was also the only place around that had an open bathroom and, needless to say, that line set some records of its own.

People who understand the saying "Seize the Day" did just that. When most of us would typically be hunkering down for the winter, putting away holiday decorations and preparing shovels and snow blowers, we got to see what winter is like in warmer climates. I'll take it over snow any day.

When the snowbirds in my family call from Florida, they invariably ask how the weather is. When we tell them it's 32 degrees and snowing, they chuckle and tell us they're off to the pool for a swim while I longingly wish I could trade places with them.

When they called on Jan. 6, we got great pleasure out of telling them we were on the way to the beach.

In Florida this weather might be the norm, but here the warm weather and sunshine brought out the best in people, as was evidenced in the smiles on all the faces I passed. Old and young were in good spirits.

I witnessed a mature woman begin to wave her arms and shake her hips as she danced across an intersection in front of a teenager in his car with music blaring, both grinning at each other the whole time. How often do you see something like that?

On the water, surfer dudes caught awesome waves while seagulls sat on the jetties watching. As the waves crashed into the beach at the jetties, you could see a rainbow in the mist.

Dogs romped in the waves as they retrieved the balls their caretakers threw. Teenagers sat upon mounds of sand and cheered as a young man did flips in the sand. I felt like flipping myself, but since I was born gymnastically challenged I chose to live vicariously through those who could.

Children played in the sand while kites flew above their heads. Others played football on the beach. My son played chicken with the waves as they hit the shore.

Couples sat upon the jetties and watched the majestic ocean as fishing boats bobbed up and down in the distance.

People of all ages and abilities crowded the boardwalk. I observed people on bicycles, in-line skates, skateboards and scooters, and seniors on tricycles, in wheelchairs and with walking aids. A very tall man rode past us on a strange looking three-wheeled tricycle without pedals. He was sporting a T-shirt that said "ask for a ride." I didn't see anyone asking, but I'm sure eventually someone will.

Motorcycles roared by in packs and convertible tops were down in cars.

Some say this phenomenon might be the result of global warming and this concerns me, but for that day I put those thoughts aside and enjoyed the simple splendor of a summer day in winter. (Besides, there's enough snow in other parts of the country right now for all of us).

Amy Rosen is a Greater Media News-papers staff writer.