Ash Wednesday! Asbury Park: October and It is Still Hot As Hell

​Written By: Ash Catcher 

     Cute, and Artsy, vegan coffee, heavily tattooed people who make me feel like I am not worthy- sounds like a magical land, while that may sound true that is just Asbury Park New Jersey. I have been here more times than I can count, each time I think the same things: 1) this is a great place for a photoshoot and 2) I end up freaking out over how stinking cute the ungodly pricey beach houses are in the town one over: Ocean Grove. Everything looks like it is off the set of Shrek, which still follows me way too much for my liking still. I swear I am going to have a vacation property there one day, even if it is a little beach bungalow. 

     Asbury Park reminded me a lot about that one show Boardwalk Empire it's not the best movie but the area has mad Gatsby vibes mixed with that just right amount of artsy alternative vibe: in other words It is what I envision a scene from Flapjack, just more sunny and bright! Known also as one of the most Unofficial Gay Towns in New Jersey, Asbury PK- it is not just all about Bruce Springsteen or Brian Fallon, although I have seen both these guys here, which was pretty dope. 

     Founded in 1871, Asbury Park quickly became a hot spot for people to vacation too- and still is I guess, although I am always here for a day, but each time I try to do something new. This time it was my mission to acquire postcards, and at least two magnets for my ugly ass fridge. Mission was a success! The town layout which bleeds into the next town essentially: Ocean Grove is inspired by European Cities, which is coincidentally like the town I have been living in for the past few years. Okay Ash focus….

​     In more recent years Asbury has gotten a huge face lift. It is pretty genderfied now. But why gentrify the shore? It literally seems like almost the edge of humanity, the last stop- something about the ocean and the end of the world. Idk why my head always goes there but it does. But now there is no reason to fear coffee roasters, vegan hot dog venders, crystal shops, and the always closed fortune tellers kiosk. Yet the record store was nowhere to be found WTF. 

     Traces of subtle Victorian architecture, sandwiched around colorful works of art on the wall, honestly there is just something e3rie about this place- that I always find myself saying “I cannot wait to go back.” 

- Ash Catcher