The Turnpike

Simon and Garfunkel,Philip Roth have inspired me,oh and the use of an eighteenth century English word in modern America.

Lower the road surface under the Pulaski Skyway.

So I love the turnpike. Worth visiting? No. But it gets me around and it’s a huge part of Jersey.

A truly massive highway surrounded by truly massive industry from exit 11 or so on up.

It’s a cultural experience. New Jerseyans are defined in large by their relationship to the Turnpike. There is not one New Jerseyan alive who doesn’t have a story about the Turnpike- sneaking on, sneaking off, driving up to the Vince Lombardi rest stop to see the model of Lambeau Field in popsicle sticks (no longer on display).

When I was 18 or 19, the employee gate at the Molly Pitcher rest stop (between exits 8 and 8A) was usually open all the time- not unlocked, open. Most people who knew about it would smeak off the Turnpike there. My friends and I, however, would sneak into the rest stop, because they had the best video games in the arcade.