My Other Trips - Tourism Office of New Jersey- Maps of New-Jersey - Contact Me - Submit Travel Stories

My Trip to New Jersey (1981?)

When I lived in Quebec with my sister Lidia and her husband Fernando, I had the privilege to come to Newark, New-Jersey a few times. Those were my first trips out of Canada and to me at a young age, this was truly a great adventure. I remember crossing the border and thinking that the scenery was going to change once we got to the U.S. I was a bit amazed that things did not look much different the other side. It was a boring trip to Newark in some ways. We never really stopped anywhere. I got somewhat excited when we reached Albany, something different than rows of trees, endless forests and a couple of mid-size mountains. I also loved the area of Lake George with its great cottages surrounding its shores. I never remember stopping there just driving by.

As soon as we reached Newark, We were surrounded by a very strong smell of burned oil. Coming from a small Quebec town (La prairie), I was not used to this kind of pollution.

We always spent a lot of time visiting family from back home. Fernando's family and our family. We visited my godfather, Fernando Francisco, tio Joao Santos and his family, tio Aleixo, Tia Fernanda , Tia Altina and Tio Vitalino. My sister Lidia loved her family so much she tried so hard to not forget anybody. I always loved Fernando's family. They always treated me great. When Fernando's brother Manuel died in a construction he left a tremendous hole. Everybody miss him very much especially is family.

My Godfather Fernando was always very generous with me. He always gave me generous gifts. We often stopped at his liquor store on Ferrry street at one time, if I can recall , he had a doughnut shop in Jersey City. My dad's uncle (o Tio Cabecos) or cousin had a popular Portuguese cafe on Ferry Street.

A couple of times we went to the ocean. We went to the Sandy Hook beach. We brought fishing rods. My sister Lidia loved fishing. my cousin Mario caught his first fish there. Most fishes we caught looked like soles.

and we also looked for clams. One time, I will always remember when we filled up buckets. When we were done, somebody mentioned that was illegal. We started running in all directions with our contraband. Actually, it was illegal because the clams had a high level of mercury. No wonder you could see New-York far away. There was also a nude beach nearby. I walked into it by accident.

I went back a couple times after that. Florida and New-Jersey feel like my own home in the States and I always love to visit. lived in Quebec with my sister Lidia and her husband Fernando, I had the privilege to come to Newark, New-Jersey a few times. Those were my first trips out of Canada and to me at a young age, this was truly a great adventure. I remember crossing the border and thinking that the scenery was going to change once we got to the U.S. I was a bit amazed that things did not look much different the other side. It was a boring trip to Newark in some ways. We never really stopped anywhere. I got somewhat excited when we reached Albany, something different than rows of trees, endless forests and a couple of mid-size mountains. I also loved the area of Lake George with its gret cottages surrounding its shores. I never remember stopping there just driving by.

As soon as we reached Newark, We were surrounded by a very strong smell of burned oil. Coming from a small Quebec town (La prairie), I was not used to this kind of pollution.

I went back a couple times after that. Florida and New-Jersey feel like my own home in the States and I always love to visit.