This Boardwalk Life Is Through

Hello Sunshine Edition

Monday, September 16, 2024 Entry #113

I woke up early the morning after seeing Bruce Springsteen at the Sea. Hear. Now Festival, anxious to spend as much time as possible soaking up Asbury Park vibes before catching my noontime train back to New York City. I had checked into my hotel room during the night, so the view from the Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel window was revelatory. I was able to see from above much of what I had just experienced on the ground-the Convention Hall, the beach and ocean, and some of the remnants of the weekend festival, now in the process of being dismantled.

As I checked out, I inquired about a breakfast place, and I was informed about a diner. Turns out, the recommended eatery was adjacent to the Asbury Lanes, the venue I skipped last night, finding out later I missed a chance to party with Little Steven. I was seated next to two women, lifelong friends as it turned out, who were excitedly talking about yesterday’s monumental event. They graciously invited me over to join their Springsteen-dominated conversation over coffee, eggs and toast, which was a fantastic way to dine in Asbury Park!

The Bruce Springsteen Archives & Center For American Music (see Entry #65) houses its collection and hosts programming in various locations around Monmouth University in Long Branch, NJ, the town where Springsteen penned “Born To Run.” Earlier this year, the organization announced their plans to build a facility which will eventually hold an official Bruce Springsteen Center on the campus with an anticipated opening in spring 2026. In the interim, they are sponsoring a Bruce Springsteen Archives “pop-up” exhibit and shop inside the Convention Hall complex on the Asbury boardwalk.

As you might imagine, I spent quite a bit of time there, enjoying the memorabilia and merchandise as well as meeting fellow Springsteen fans from around the world. Restraining myself, my only purchases were a t-shirt with the Archives logo (I’m wearing it right now, lol) and a keepsake postcard.

Then, I walked the length of the boardwalk, alternating between thinking about the here and now, and imaging Springsteen’s coming-of-age on these very planks.

I thought it was a pretty genius move on my part to make the Stone Pony my last stop of this whole adventure. I still haven’t seen a show there (and I missed Springsteen making one of his mythic appearances by a matter of hours), but I reckon putting my eyes on this place twice (one of those times I actually got to go inside!) in a couple of years basically makes me a regular. Seriously, it was gratifying to see the Stone Pony, now celebrating its 50th year, still alive and kicking, complete with a summer stage that annually attracts exciting rock shows on the shore.

I had an Uber pick me up right in front of the Stone Pony, feeling amazed, gratified and completely blessed. I would be back in St. Louis by evening. However, you can leave Asbury Park, New Jersey but it doesn’t easily leave you. I still have a few “aftermath” posts in me about seeing Springsteen in the town that raised and shaped him, so stay tuned.