The fishing trawler Catherine Lane heads through the Manasquan Inlet on its way out to sea.
Photos (10)
Photos
What is it about the Manasquan Inlet?
The movement of the water?
The boat traffic? Aren’t we jealous of those beautiful, privately-owned yachts?
The party boats? The Norma K III is a popular one, as is the Gambler.
The fishing trawlers? A thankless job in cold or stormy weather.
The calm water? Ahhhh.
The rough water from an offshore storm (which I love to see)?
Personally, I find it relaxing, just watching the soothing flow of the tide.
My longtime friend, Carmen Scharibone, and I usually dine out on Thursdays (guys' night out, you know) and we often (weather permitting) end up at the Inlet, enjoying a quality cigar while chatting about nothing specific, certainly never politics. Or we try to avoid some issues, like the economy.
Most times, it’s a one-cigar visit to the Inlet, unless the weather is so good. Then it might be two cigars. Needless to say, we always come prepared.
Carmen always stops for a coffee between the restaurant (most times Due Amici in Brielle) and a favorite bench, close to the jetty on the Point Pleasant Beach side.
Of course, we’re never alone. There’s always a crowd along the Inlet side of the municipal parking lot, where you have to pay to park, which annoys me to no end.
That’s what I hate most about living at the Jersey Shore. You have to pay to park. You have to pay to get on the beach. I can never understand how anyone can own the beach. But that’s a debate for another time.
I’m happy sitting on one of the benches, enjoying my cigar and chit-chatting with Mr. Scharibone, a friend of about 40 years or so, from back home in Hamilton Township, just east of Trenton.
He now resides in Point Pleasant, and still owns one of my all-time favorite bars – Jo Jo’s Tavern in Mercerville, in a town where I was the president of the Mercerville Fire Company eight times and where I am still a member, now in my 42nd year.
I’ve often wondered what lures so many people to the Inlet, even Carmen and myself.
Are they looking for a place to relax, too?
To unwind from a world gone mad?
One day I’m going to ask some of those people.
Or you could tell me here.
If you are an Inlet visitor, whether during the day or night, tell me why.
I’m curious to know.
Please, share your thoughts with me.
You can reach Don Wino at donwilno@yahoo.com
Mary Ann Kelly
6:51 am on Monday, May 9, 2011
Thanks for this post. Love the location,the activity,the constant movement of the water,the smell of the sea(and gas fumes from the boats). Had my son take me for a visit for Mother's Day!
Patti Leclercq
7:03 am on Monday, May 9, 2011
My partner and I have not missed a trip to the Point Beach Inlet every single weekend for at least three years now. In storms and blizzards, or 96 degrees. You will find us there with our little Yorkie, Molly. I just added one of the pictures we took when the inlet overflowed into the fishing area. Thanks for the post.
Beach_N8iv
8:27 am on Monday, May 9, 2011
Why do people just stare at the water? I don't know. I like to grab a cup of coffee and sit at the inlet and watch. Watch what? Whatever is going on. Calm weather or rough weather, the inlet has a show going on 24/7/365 AND it's free! I added a picture of a gull during a storm which, if I remember correctly, was Thanksgiving morning a few years ago.
Scott
9:45 am on Monday, May 9, 2011
Don't forget about all the surfers, body boarders and amazing sunrises..
Laura
11:01 am on Monday, May 9, 2011
Watching the water is like watching a fireplace, its therapeutic and relaxing. I believe its from the caveman era that we are reminded the ocean gives us food and fire cooks it and gives us warmth. I love it. Our bodies are made up of mostly water. I love the Point inlet as well as the Manasquan side. And, who can forget the ghost story of the maiden waiting for her lover to return to shore on his boat on the Manasquan inlet side in the 1800's. He never returned. All the men on board were never found and lost to the sea. They say every year on that sad day you can hear her ghost crying and some see her ghost walking the shores of the Manasquan inlet still waiting for him to return. Oh, who am I kidding I like the inlet because its a great place to make out with a boyfriend.....there I said it. Lol
Laura
11:01 am on Monday, May 9, 2011
You can always tell the "natives". We are the ones going up to watch the waves come over the jetty after a hurricane or nor' easter as they are trying to evacuate those who live in the flood prone area. Doesn't everyone know what time each boat will be going out or coming in? lol
I bring my dogs up there now. They love to sit in the car and watch the gulls.
poppapiz
9:39 am on Tuesday, May 10, 2011
I wish Point would do a better job cleaning up their side, it is always full of trash and over grown weeds. The Squan side is very nice...Point side not so nice...
Mike Ryan
9:44 am on Tuesday, May 10, 2011
I've loved going to the inlet since I was a kid, playing in the rocks... as a teen, parking with my girlfriend... and now as a father relaxing or fishing with my sons. When I hear the Jimmy Buffett song "One Particular Harbor", Manasquan Inlet is the harbor I see in my my mind.