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B and I took a drive over the bridge to the barrier island. To our surprise the road blocks were down, we traveled south to the State Park and again to our surprise we were allowed entrance. After a brief discussion with a State Trooper, we learned the park still has a large population of red fox. They have survived the storm. Although the temperatures are in single digits and the wind chill made it feel like negative numbers, we took a brief walk to the beach. The smell of salt air was refreshing.

Backtracking we found ourselves at the southern end of the boardwalk. Like the northern end, it too suffered great damage. Funtown pier was ripped and torn apart. It’s amusement rides falling to the ocean.

Nearly three months have passed. We have read about, heard about and seen photos of the massive devastation which occurred in the beach front towns. Today the previously off limits ocean road was open. Nothing could have prepared us for what lay ahead. Our hearts are heavy, our hopes are high and we remain thankful lives were not lost.

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Since Sandy reeked havoc over two months ago, I am still amazed by two things. First, and I know this may sound strange as I live at the beach, but the massive amount of displaced sand. There is still sand everywhere, roof tops, roads, and covering street signs. It resembles freshly fallen snow. And sadly a sight which I will not soon forget, that of all the personal belongings which are now trash. The piles yesterday’s treasures reach high in the sky and stretch for blocks in the many make shift landfills. It will be months, perhaps years before our beaches and towns are restore to their prior state a beauty.