It was time for a pilgrimage to Asbury Park. Along the way, we stopped in Hightstown to go to the Hights Bohemian Cafe IMG_0619 where Dr Len IMG_0620 ordered the oatmeal drink IMG_0621 and I had the Inca Kola IMG_0622 IMG_0623 in pineapple flavor. The corn meal cakes IMG_0624 were followed by the fried sweet plantain IMG_0625 which showed better without the flash IMG_0626 and then I had my salad IMG_0627 and Len had his pork IMG_0628 that fueled us for the journey ahead. After getting this picture IMG_0629 for the collection, we drove on.

Our first view of Asbury Park was of the last attempt at redevelopment IMG_0630 which seems to have failed. While recording the Paramount IMG_0631 this truck asked to be recorded IMG_0632 as we aimed for the HoJo's IMG_0633 and the convention center IMG_0634 which still operates IMG_0635 and has a boat on top IMG_0636 from which closeups IMG_0637 can be captured. While Dr Len checked the door IMG_0638 I looked down the beach IMG_0639 because Howard Johnson's didn't seem open IMG_0640 despite the sign that said otherwise. The beach warned about swimming IMG_0641 and the beer was probably cold IMG_0642 but Howard Johnson's IMG_0643 has seen its better days as we looked at the beach IMG_0644 and down the boardwalk IMG_0645 and even Madam Marie IMG_0646 showed no signs of life. The boardwalk IMG_0647 didn't seem to need this usage sign IMG_0648 but the Stone Pony IMG_0649 IMG_0650 seemed to be alive as we ambled on to the antique store IMG_0651 and then captured pictures of the worn down rotunda IMG_0652 as Dr Len demonstrated the 4 foot rule IMG_0653 for which he overpaid. Back to the rotunda IMG_0654 and adjoining buildings IMG_0655 and the old salt water taffy shop IMG_0656 by the pizza store IMG_0657 none of which gave any sense of life. But, we saw our goal IMG_0658 the greatest wall neon anywhere coming into sight.

We recorded the long view IMG_0659 IMG_0660 and then the windows of the rotunda IMG_0661 IMG_0662 before getting closer IMG_0663 and zooming IMG_0664 and getting closer IMG_0665 and zooming IMG_0666 until we were almost there IMG_0667 and could record the size sideways IMG_0668 and work our way IMG_0669 to head on views IMG_0670 from broader angles IMG_0671 IMG_0672 IMG_0673 IMG_0674 all of which amused Dr Len IMG_0675 who was still happy to have his four foot rule IMG_0676 we recorded the local environment IMG_0677 and then zoomed in on the major face in this great sign IMG_0678 IMG_0679 IMG_0680 IMG_0681 which is no longer an inviting locale IMG_0682 possibly because there is no one buying beach badges IMG_0683 these days. On the way back to the car, we passed the senior citizen center IMG_0684 bid farewell to Madam Marie IMG_0685 and the Salt Water Taffy shop IMG_0686 IMG_0687 before heading downtown to see Sonny's IMG_0688 in the midst of a snow covered street scene IMG_0689 where Louis Farrakhan IMG_0690 is too present and toys IMG_0691 and sinks IMG_0692 line the sidewalk.

When I got home, Suzanne was knitting IMG_0693 as the kids gathered IMG_0694 and Daniel Suo IMG_0695 promised that he would win in Utah while Ben watched Justin and Ned IMG_0696 get the chess game to this situation IMG_0697 while Rosie, Kevin (birthday boy) and Stephent IMG_0698 watched the basketball game IMG_0699 and Jane and Lucy made weird faces IMG_0700 IMG_0701 and Lucy watched IMG_0702 the birthday boy IMG_0703 IMG_0704 negotiate the crowd IMG_0705 as the laptop ran fsck IMG_0706 the chess game continued IMG_0707 and Jane got up IMG_0708 to serve the pizza IMG_0709 and brownies IMG_0710 and everyone wished Kevin a happy birthday.