MESSAGE CENTER

Shore Things in Jersey

YOU MISSED the best beach on the Jersey Shore, at Sandy Hook ["The Jersey Shore," June 24]. Admittedly it is a clothing-optional beach, but it is so popular with people from all over the Northeast who have no place to go for a nude beach that it is impossible to find a place to park on the weekends. My family and I have had to walk a couple of miles to get to it on many weekends since it is not easy to get to early if you leave from D.C.

Jack Adams, Washington

YOU TOTALLY overlooked Bradley Beach. Vic's, a restaurant that has been around for many, many years, has some of the best pizza (similar to those found on the Amalfi Coast of Italy) around. Also, the Beach Cinema (formerly the Palace) is a great place to view movies on a rainy day. In the summer, there are music concerts in the gazebo on the boardwalk.

Rochelle Gershenow, Potomac

I LOVED YOUR section. I go with my family every summer to Ocean City, N.J. You cannot leave Mack & Manco pizza out. We look forward to it all year; it's the first place the kids want to eat. Really, the best pizza in town.

Jodie Brendlinger, Ashburn

I HAVE vacationed in Lavallette for 55 years (started going annually when I was 2), first with my parents, then with my kids, now with my grandkids. It isn't summer without splurging at our two favorite seafood restaurants.

The Lobster Shanty in Point Pleasant has amazing seafood and great scenery overlooking the water. The Crab's Claw in Lavallette (in the original Lavallette Hotel) is incredible. I was disappointed that your great article neglected both of these landmarks. Of course, maybe I should be thankful -- they are already too crowded. Let's keep them a secret!

Chris Cochran, Herndon

Travel With Kids

I ENJOYED your article on family travel ["We Had to Ask," June 17]. It was interesting to read travel perspectives from the younger generation, which is, sadly, sometimes not given the opportunity to make decisions on family destinations. I thought you might enjoy another candid opinion on travel "from the mouths of babes."

When our children were younger and whenever possible, my husband and I made a special effort to include our two boys in all foreign travel plans. For the most part, our family vacations took place in the winter months. Of all the countries we visited, our younger son, Matt, seemed to love the Latin and South American countries the most, where he was able to partake in "beachy" activities like surfboarding and swimming.

In Europe, though, winter weather meant great skiing and snowboarding, indoor cultural activities like museums and plays, and steaming cups of hot chocolate and rib-sticking local fare along the way.

We always seemed to have a ball wherever we went, and we triumphantly reviewed the photos of our smiling children after returning home with the sense that our "missions" had always been a success.

Imagine our surprise when we approached our beach-loving son with a proposition for another European vacation next year. Matt said with disgust, "No more Europe in winter, Mom and Dad! I hate it! It's old and it's cold!"

Jody J. Beck, Capon Bridge, W.Va.

I'M SORRY, but I simply have to speak up. I am absolutely sick and tired of travel stories about kids: traveling with kids, coping with kids, appeasing kids, entertaining kids and everything else about the progeny of others.

We have a well-traveled, worldly population in this area. How about some articles on the far-flung places that D.C. residents like to travel to? Let's have articles worthy of a cosmopolitan audience, not this stuff that is more suited for Des Moines, Indianapolis, Cleveland or Pittsburgh.

Mike Frederick, Gaithersburg

Write us: Washington Post Travel section, 1150 15th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20071. E-mail: travel@washpost.com. Provide your full name, town of residence and daytime telephone number. Letters are subject to editing for length and clarity.