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Share tales of childhood at the New Jersey Shore as this author and granddaughter relive the past and together discover what's new and exciting in New Jersey.

One year, my annual trip with a grandchild transported then 7-year-old Marti with me to New Jersey, where I wanted to share the delights of my childhood summers "down the shore" and where newer attractions added much to Jersey's appeal. This child and I always have fun together, and her sponge-like mind constantly absorbs new experiences.

South Jersey - Six Flags is an Animal Adventure

We started at Six Flags Great Adventure & Wild Safari (732/928-1821; Route 537, Jackson, NJ, 08527), the country's largest Six Flags, since Marti couldn't wait to get there. Of its amusement park rides, the park boasts 13 roller coasters alone.

Marti's favorite part was the two-and-a-half-hour Wild Safari VIP Off-Road Adventure Tour.  Things got off to a great start when a dromedary camel poked its huge head in the window of our Land Rover, then batted its two-inch-long eyelashes at us. My granddaughter Marti shrieked in delight. "That is just so sweet," she exclaimed.

We lucked out and rode with Dr. Bill Rives in a striped Land Rover. Just like in Africa, he drove us over grass and off paths. Several giraffes poked their heads in the open sunroof, then licked the windshield with their long, purple tongues. Marti giggled hysterically. No wonder Rives says, "No one has complained about the high per-person cost."

He said that 10 in the morning is really a great time to see the animals and added, "This is the country's only Six Flags with a drive-through Safari Park." We were able to toss food to the elephants, and both Marti and I counted this as a highlight. In other sections, we spotted black bears and white tigers.  Fortunately, they didn't come up to our Land Rover.

We later chatted with another visiting family and Natan Weinberger said his favorite animals were the baboons, who climbed on top of their car. His brother Eli, who seemed to ape his older brother's every move, said his favorites were "the bamboons. They sticked their tails down on the windows," he said.

Marti had said she wouldn't go on a roller coaster, and I certainly wasn't going to push her. When her parents are around, a stubborn streak often emerges, but I use a hands-off policy. However, seeing the new friends she'd met at the hotel trying the coasters, she worked up her courage and suddenly dashed onto one. She counted her first roller coaster ride as another highlight.

Point Pleasant Beach - almost Bruce Springsteen Territory

When we had checked into our family-friendly beachfront hotel, the White Sands Oceanfront Resort & Spa (888/558-8958, 732/899-3370; 1205 Ocean Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742), it reinforced why I loved spending my early summers at the Jersey shore, even though this was not one of the better-known areas. Because the Gulf Stream is so close, the water is warm -- 20 degrees warmer than it is in Maine, for instance. And, the sand is silkier than it is where we live in Florida.

Stores and arcades remain open along the boardwalk from Memorial Day through September. Great fishing also lures people to the nearby inlet to the Manasquan River. The hotel offers a complimentary supervised kids' program during the summer.

Nearby, Jenkinson's Boardwalk & Aquarium, (732/ 892-0600; 300 Ocean Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742), offers a mile-long private beach, eateries, amusement park rides, a carousel, and flocks of birds for birders (it's on the bird flyaway from Cape May). The impressive aquarium features sharks, harbor seals, and penguins plus a touch-tank. Folks also hang out to watch the fishing fleet return. There's an admission charge to the aquarium and beach.

This is not New Jersey's most famous boardwalk. If you're interested in Bruce Springsteen, his family's favorite stomping grounds are farther south around Asbury Park. There you'll find a larger boardwalk with many public events scheduled in summer, and the Stone Pony club, which is known as the place The Boss' career took off.