Watch the Tram Car, Please

Each summer my family made our annual summer trip down the shore.  We always stayed in quiet, Victorian Cape May but I could not wait for our night of boardwalk adventures and the other daytrip we would take to the Morey's Piers Water Park in Wildwood, NJ.  Neil Young tapes were the soundtrack of the drive over the bridge into Wildwood and past the neon lights and du-wop motels while I was bursting with anticipation of all the fun ahead of my brother and me that night.

 First, we always had the most delicious dinner at Groff's, our favorite family restaurant on the Boardwalk.  Then we would finally venture onto the boards with all the familiar smells, sounds and sights of summertime.  Nothing could beat the sight of the tram car and its familiar refrain of “Watch the tram car, please.”  It was even better if we took a ride on it.

 But the main attraction was still to come- all the loud rides and games to play would lure us deeper into crowds.  The night was not complete without a ride in the haunted house, the funhouse and the mini-rollercoaster which looked so big and imposing to me as a child.  After our patient parents dragged us off the rides we would try our luck with the carnival games.  Once in awhile we would hit the jackpot tossing coins on plates or winning the water gun race and bring home a stuffed animal or a framed picture of Michael Jackson. 

Then we had to make our final decision- which one of the delicious treats wafting through the air would we pick- cotton candy, waffles and ice cream, funnel cake, caramel corn, french fries and so many other delectable options.   We never wanted this night in bright, neon lit Wildwood to come to an end.  Luckily, we still had a little more fun in Wildwood on another day when we would visit the water parks on Morey’s and Mariner’s Piers.  

Every other day of our vacation was spent on the beach, but one special day was reserved for the water parks.  Thrilling water slides and a relaxing lazy river awaited us and it was more fun if we were joined by our cousins staying in Wildwood Crest for the day.  Climbing up all the steps to each water slide over and over, swinging on rope swings into pools and trying to walk on giant lily pads never tired us out, but when the time was up at  the water parks and we got back to Cape May we always slept well that night. 

Each memory I have of my time spent in Wildwood is cherished.  As child it was a magical and lively place overflowing with amusements.  Today all those wonderful memories come flooding back to me each time I go back and I feel like a kid again.