Snow Day, Fun Day

As we continue to endure Snowpocalypse 2: Return of the White Invader with far, far less anxiety than we did this weekend, it's come to my attention that it might be time for some sort of game.  Since 28 is probably a bit too old to inflate the old snow tube and find a good sledding hill, I'm proposing an indoor game.  Or, at least, a collaborative effort of sorts. Since just about everyone I know is at home and probably on the computer (or, will be on the computer some time in the near future to see who else is on the computer), let's see where this goes.

In response to yesterday's post about being from New Jersey and the phenomenon of "NJdar," as my friend Colleen called it, my other friend Kristina proposed that I write a post about filled with reasons why New Jersey is cool that aren't exactly typical reasons for liking New Jersey (and its residents).  She suggested that I get the ball rolling with a few reasons of my own and then others (like her) could add to it.  So, I'm going to go for it.  But, since not all my friends are from the Garden State, it seems like it would only be fair to open this up a bit.  So, while I'm going to start the list with some individual, hopefully different reasons why I think New Jersey is a nice place, I'm going to open this up to anyone who wants to talk about what makes where they're from special.  In a lot of cases, we might know something about where other people grew up, but that knowledge is probably limited.  I figured, let the people who were there tell it like it is.

Without further ado, I'll get things started.

1.)  For a small, relatively well-known state, New Jersey can still surprise even long-term residents.  A couple of years ago, while I was on a fall bike ride along the towpath of the Delaware River, I came up with a new state slogan, "New Jersey.  It has its moments."  In terms of scenery, things to do, and places to go, there's a lot more diversity to the state than people tend to realize.

2.)  I grew up being able to see this from my backyard.  That's just kind of fun and weird. 

3.)  For a large state with so much in terms of resources and industry, there are still a whole bunch of non-chain, individual places to get great food and whatnot.  To put it simply: Why does eating Subway make me angry?  Because I grew up with my pick of great sub sandwich places that I now return to as an adult to shame the sandwiches of friends who grew up elsewhere. 

I'm going to turn it over now.  Again, what makes where you grew up interesting or special?  What don't people know that they should?