I grew up at the Jersey Shore, so every childhood summer was usually spent there, with family and friends coming to visit us. Later years in NY and DC had me a bit land-locked, so I was happy to be able to drive to Jersey for the occasional vacation. I have taken the kid a few times over the past few years, but last year was the one she really remembered, and now she wants us to start our own tradition. So in honor of my booking an August vacation at the Shore, here are some pics from past beachy times. I wouldn't even be here if it wasn't for mom (left) and her girlfriends thinking that the Shore was a great place for a summer vacation from the city Hanging out poolside at the Avon Inn, where my grandmother always stayed when she would visit us One of my mom's effortless pastels, of me trying to fly a kite on the boardwalk The kid checking out a jetty Having fun on the rides at Jenkinson's pavilion