Journeys Near and Far

Atlantic City's Salt Water Taffy

Historians Finally Agree on the Origin of Atlantic City's Sticky Treat

During a recent stroll along the Atlantic City Boardwalk, I wondered about the origin of Atlantic City's famed Salt Water Taffy, and decided to learn more about it.

Salt Water Taffy, like the world-famous Boardwalk, is synonymous with Atlantic City.  Many people don't know why they picture these colorfully-wrapped confections when Atlantic City is mentioned, but the beach resort has much in common with these chewy treats.

While stories abound about Salt Water Taffy's origin, it seems that historians have finally come to agree that a man named  David Bradley was the candy's creator.

The year was 1880, and Bradley, a young candy merchant, arrived at work one morning to find that this his candy stand, located just a few steps from the ocean, had been swamped by a storm.  Later that day, when a child came to ask for some taffy, Bradley replied sarcastically, "You mean Salt Water Taffy, don't you?"

The child's mother, who had overheard, thought this would be a great new name for his candy.  When Bradley asked her who would want to buy taffy soaked with ocean water, she suggested he use fresh water and just add salt.

The new name for this sticky treat stuck and the rest was history.

Throughout the years, this famous confection has been pulled, perfected and modified in a variety of ways.  Now, visitors to the famed Atlantic City Boardwalk can find taffy in wild, outrageous flavors, such as root beer, buttered popcorn, chocolate chip cookie and caramel corn, to name a few.

One of the most famous shops selling Salt Water Taffy is the family-owned James' Original Salt Water Taffy, which has been manufacturing the candy in Atlantic City since the 1920s.  Another Atlantic City icon, the Boardwalk Peanut Shoppe, sells seashore-themed items such as a miniature lifeguard boat filled with a variety of sweets.

One of my favorite places to shop for taffy is at the 6,000 foot It's Sugar located on the Pier at Caesars.  The store is a destination unto itself, offering taffy in dozens of flavors, racks upon racks of sugary delights, and a counter where kids of all ages can make their own candy bars.

No one knows what Bradley would think about this taffy phenomenon if he were here today.  But he certainly would have a lot to chew on.

For more info:

Visit the Atlantic Convention & Visitors Bureau website, and the New Jersey Tourism website, or check out my Atlantic City guides.  You might also enjoy the articles I write as the Atlantic City Travel Examiner.

Photo courtesy of the Atlantic Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Two New Jersey Guidebooks You Should Own

Explore the Jersey Shore or New Jersey's Nature Areas

It might seem strange to buy guidebooks to your own state, but I have several. 

You see, sometimes it's nice to just hop in the car and go for a day trip.  And from these books, I've learned about many places in my state that I wasn't aware of. 

For example, I knew about the sunken concrete ship off the coast of Cape May, but I had no idea there was a beachfront alpaca farm there.

I guess that I, like most people, don't always remember to explore what's in my own backyard -- something I should try to do more often.

So here's a brief rundown on two helpful guidebooks:

Wonderwalks: The Trails of New Jersey Audubon

The first book I'd like to tell you about is Wonderwalks:  The Trails of New Jersey Audubon.  My first reaction when I saw this book was "that's not for me."  I'm not a birder, and I thought that was it's sole focus. 

I picked it up to take a peek, however, and read author Patricia Robinson's words:  "You don't have to be a birder to enjoy New Jersey's Audubon nature centers and sanctuaries."

It turns out this book is great for anyone who enjoys not just birding but strolling, hiking, or simply getting out in nature for some quiet contemplation. The book devotes a different chapter to most of the Audubon preserves and sanctuaries throughout the state including a description of their nature trails.   It also gives directions on how to get there, and provides lists of birds that can be seen (by season) in each area.  In some cases, it gives lists of plants and animals as well.

The book has an inset of stunning color photographs from several of the sites.  Many of these sites are free, making them inexpensive places to spend the day.  And you can easily stuff this guidebook in your pocket or backpack.

The Jersey Shore:  Atlantic City to Cape May

I met author (writer and journalist) Jen A. Miller on the ACES Train between Atlantic City and New York City.  I recognized her as one of the people I follow on Twitter(@JerseyShoreJen).  We struck up a conversation and she told me about her book, The Jersey Shore:  Atlantic City to Cape May. 

Jen not only explores her own backyard, but specializes in writing about it, and in this book, she takes you on a journey from the gaming tables of Atlantic City to romantic, Victorian Cape May.  Covering 47 miles of the South Jersey shore region, the book (which I obtained a copy of later) is one of my favorites. 

The Aviation Hall of Fame & Museum of New Jersey

Preserving the Garden State's Aviation Heritage

Today when you board an airplane, you can stow your carry-on, buckle your seat belt and drift off to sleep, knowing almost exactly what time you'll arrive at your destination.  Despite the seats in coach being a little bit cramped, you'll be comfortable, warm and (occasionally) well fed.  But flying wasn't always this easy.

Visitors to the Aviation Hall of Fame & Museum of New Jersey can learn all about aviation's precarious beginnings, and the remarkable milestones achieved through the years by the many New Jerseyans who played epic roles in the history of flight.

Located at Teterboro airport in northern New Jersey, the recently expanded museum is jam-packed with historic air and space equipment.  It also houses artifacts, photographs, art prints and an extensive model collection. 

Founded in 1972 by Pat Reilly, the Public Relations Director of Pan American Airways, the Aviation Hall of Fame & Museum of New Jersey is dedicated to the preservation of the Garden State's renowned aviation and space heritage.

To learn more about the history of flight, I visited the museum with some friends.  Lt. Col. Stephen F. Riethof, the museum's Associate Director, met our group and led us into the 60-seat Ray Wells Skyroom Theater, where he told us about the beginning of aviation in New Jersey. 

He explained that the Garden State has had many aviation firsts.  For example, in 1912, Oliver G. Simmons carried the first official sack of mail in a Wright Flyer, across the Raritan Bay from South Amboy to Perth Amboy.  And did you know that in 1921, America's first dirigible, the USS Shenandoah, was built in Lakehurst? 

So what can you see at the Aviation Hall of Fame & Museum of New Jersey? For starters, look in the Hall of Fame Gallery which contains 120 bronze plaques honoring the people who contributed to New Jersey's rich aviation history. 

In the Museum's Great Room, you'll find the largest artifacts.  There, we saw a New Jersey built Wright Aeronautical J-5 Whirlwind engine, similar to the one used by Charles Lindbergh in his 1927 solo flight across the Atlantic.  Discover what else is in the Great Room here.

Upstairs, women in aviation are featured with exhibits honoring Amelia Earhart and the NJ Chapter of Ninety-Nines women pilots.

And in the museum's backyard, you'll find the M.A.S.H. exhibit, New Jersey's only "living" memorial to Korean War veterans.  It includes a replica surgical tent complete with surgical equipment, trucks and a Korean War-era Bell 47C helicopter.

Outside you can also examine a Bell AH-1S Cobra attack helicopter, and board a Martin 202 36-seater short-haul airliner. 

Whether you're an aviation buff or not, a visit to the Aviation Hall of Fame & Museum of New Jersey will definitely give you a newfound respect for all the courageous people who played a part in the state's aeronautical history.

Find out more about New Jersey's other aviation museums here.

If you are interested in New Jersey, you might also like the articles I write as the Atlantic City Travel Examiner.