Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1880-07-21
(For the HERALD
OCEAN GROVE. n. j. [
tJuly 18th, 1880.

hJNAJ A--t
Editors of Herald:
AS the hot doys Of mid
summer approach the question upper
most in the minds OF the dwellers OF
cities, is, where shall we go to spend
the summer 10 avoid such weather as
we experienced in the closing days OF
June? My heart naturally turns TO
my own native mountains and our
beautiful valley Of TIE Shenandoah
I" the dearest spot on earth to me"
yet never having looked on old Oceans
broad and deep blue waters, joyously
accepted trip and sojourn for a sea-
son by its turbulent waves. Quite JOY
ously we left the heat and dust OF
Washington City, behind US at s A. NJ.
July Cd, and by G P. NJ. arrived at this
city by the Sea, the great camping
ground of the Methodist Episcopal
Church lin reality a city Of no mean
pretersions, } called Ocean Grove. 1t
IS situated on the coast of New Jersey,
about fifty miles from New York, and
six from Long Branch. The next
mWnlng l took my first view of tne
Ocean. How shall describe my feelings.
What can 1 say to convey TO those oil
your readers who have never looked
upon its endless waste of waters even
the faintest idea of its granduer' Sail
ing and steam vessels are continually
passing. Every Sabbath evening
meeting OF singing and prayer Is held
near the surf. Imagine the grand mels
ody produced by the commingllng Of
sacred songs with the roar Of the bill
lows. The "GroYep Is a mass Of cosy
cottages aud tents in the centre OF
which is large Audivoviuue or Taber-
nacle which is said to seat 10000 per-
sons. Here they hold service three
times on the Sabbath and every morn
ing at 9 O'Clock. There are several
beautiful lakes near us, The most attrac-
tive of which is Wesley Lake, it is II
miles long, t mile broad and 4 feel
deep, upon its bosom may be seen al
any time as many as one hundred tiny
boats, rowed by the hands of the fail
sex, fair did 1 say, ah, excuse me, bui
that is hardly fair, for never, no nere'
saw such sun burnt people in my life
1t is very fashionable to become sun
burnt and it is common sight to sec
ladies lying on the sand with face ant
hands exposed in order to brown them
Last, but not least comes the surf bath
ing, it is simply jolly, but don't let m
sh ock you when 1 describe the bathing
costu mes and tell you that 1t is quit
the thing that a gentleman should com
and ask the pleasure of going in th
surf with you. The costumes are made
of navy blue flannel, trimmed in white
braid. ladies' is a pleated blouse, bloom
ers knee pants and full over skir
reaching to the knees, some wear stock
ings and canvass slippers. but the ma
iority of them are minus such encum
brances. Gentlemen's suits are sim
ply a sailor blouse and close Citing
knee pants. They look quite prett,
and stylish as they go in, but by tn
time one or two big breakers go owe
them there is quite transformation
| can assure you. There are three larg
piers erected on the beach (about
mile aparD from which extend far int
the sea, large ropes for the benefit
inexperienced bathers. A life boat i
always stationed near to rescue am
one OF the hundreds in case OF danger
And now If any Of your readers woul
enjoy breezy breezes let them come u
at once. a. H. H.