Local Life

Retro Rumson Dock Summertime Coolness

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Rumson Dock summer days with a Rumson family and friends
Photo/courtesy of Paul Karinja.

Reprise from Aug. 23, 2022, because we’re having a July heat wave …

There’s nothing quite like sitting on the dock of the … river in Rumson. Though this was never seen as wasting time. Savoring it was more like it. Still is.

And, as the tide rolls away, this passel of dockers did the sitting just right in the summer of ’67. Armed with a six pack of Red Rock Cola, a mom with cat-eye sunglasses, a groovy plaid shell button-down shirt, a bag full of goodies and a furrowed sun-drenched grin, this crew knew the finer things in simple Rumson life.

A stroll down to the dock with your own kids and friends in tow meant a sit-down, sun up and suited-for-summer-fun session — and, perhaps, a little dive off the dock.

This is the longtime Rumson Karinja crew and company caught in that moment. Yes, there were beach clubs back then, but those daily dock trips were probably even more popular. Besides, dock time was a time-honored tradition. And the Karinja crew rose to the daily occasion and embodied the spirit of it in a Rumson kid. Mom, too, according to Paul, who shared it all on social media, calling this family snapshot back in time “one of my favorites,” especially Mom’s scarf over those curlers, he noted.

Classic contentment.

It’s a pretty simple summer dream come true that involved nothing but a walk, a little soda, suits and those smiles to cap off that dream well lived right in Rumson.

Know any of these Karinja and other kids? Did your mom wear curlers and a scarf to the dock or beach? How about those glasses? Got Red Rock Cola? Remember it? Hey, vintage Red Rock bottles are going for $35 each on eBay! That rocks!

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