Alexa Bayer, a 15-year-old sophomore at West Morris Mendham High School, spent her last 2 weeks of summer down the shore with friends and family. While there, she went to a collection of famous diners, the boardwalk, Wawa, and enjoyed various activities.

For 7 years, Alexa has visited Wildwood, NJ with family and has brought friends along the last 3 years. She disclosed that she went on many fabulous adventures, including surfing, parasailing, and bike riding, as well as watching the sunrise and sunset. When asked which activity was the most exciting, she said that surfing was because “it was [her] first time.” Alexa also spoke about her diner endeavors, explaining that she had been going to diners for a while with friends and that it became a kind of a tradition between them. She also described the disappointment she felt when some food wasn’t as good as it had seemed to be. Though this caused some dismay, they continued to a more jovial venture; Bayer and the mentioned company made their way to the famous Wildwood boardwalk for some fun!

While on the boardwalk, the group made sure to stay cautious of social distancing and wore masks when needed. Alexa and her friends traveled over to the arcade where they remained there for some time because of one friend’s good luck. Alexa recounted the occurrence as “a lot of fun”, expounding that her best friend won lots of prizes that night. Though they spent that night at the boardwalk, most nights came to a close when the girls watched the sun’s vibrant colors fill the sky. Then they would watch as it disappeared and shortly after, viewed the moon replacing it. Alexa and her friends also saw the sun take over the sky in the morning, waking up early to do so. 

The entire group seemed to have lots of fun but one thing did scare them a bit. Alexa had divulged that one of her friends had torn her ACL in the past and that while they were on the boardwalk, she had slipped. When she slipped, she fell in the same place where she was injured the first time. Alexa said that it had scared her but that the friend ended up being okay in the end. 

Alexa left Wildwood and went home with memories of the trip that she and her loved ones had appreciated so much. She was asked whether she would go on this trip again and she responded saying, “I would definitely go on this trip again!” After the initial question, she was asked if she would change anything about the adventure and she stated that “[she’d] probably just get some more people to come because it’s always more fun with more people”. Alexa plans to go on this trip once more, hoping to bring both friends and family with her again. She has considered the Jersey Shore and Wildwood her second home for 7 years and expects to call it that for many years to come.