Alright, let’s talk about my little adventure trying to get into Colts Neck tennis. It wasn’t exactly what I thought it would be, let me tell you.
So, I found myself living near the area a while back. Didn’t know a soul, really. I kept seeing these tennis courts, looked pretty neat, well-kept. Figured, okay, maybe this is how folks meet around here? Get some exercise, smack a ball around, maybe make a friend or two. Seemed like a plan, right? Simple enough.
Getting Started (or Trying To)
First thing, I started poking around. Tried to figure out the deal with the courts I saw. Are they public? Do you need some secret handshake? I drove by a few spots. Some looked like part of fancy clubs, probably needed a membership that cost an arm and a leg. Others looked like they might be town courts.
I tried searching online for info. Found some town recreation links, but it was all kinda confusing. Nothing straightforward about just playing tennis. So, I tried calling the parks department number I dug up. Left a voicemail. Waited. Heard nothing back. Not surprising, I guess.
Next step, I actually drove down to one of the parks with courts. Walked right up. Gates were locked. There was a sign, something about needing a resident tag or making reservations, but zero info on how to actually get the tag or make the reservation right there. Felt like I was trying to solve a puzzle just to hit a tennis ball.
Hitting a Wall (Figuratively)
Okay, so maybe the free public route was a dead end, or at least way more hassle than I expected. I asked someone who lived nearby. They mentioned a specific club, confirmed it was pricey. Then they mentioned another place, kinda semi-private. You could pay to play by the hour, but you had to book it way ahead of time.
- I looked into that second option.
- Signed up for their booking system online.
- Found a time slot a week later.
- Booked it. Cost more than I thought it should, but hey, I was committed now.
Went down there for my booked time. The courts were nice, yeah. But the vibe felt… off? A little exclusive, maybe? Everyone seemed to be in their little groups, already knew each other. Tried a couple more times, but it just felt awkward. Like trying to crash a party where you weren’t invited. Wasn’t really getting that social connection I was hoping for.
Moving On
Then, life did its thing. Work got crazy demanding. Had some family stuff pop up that needed my attention. Suddenly, spending energy chasing down court times, paying per hour, and feeling like an outsider just didn’t seem worth it anymore. The whole Colts Neck tennis dream kinda fizzled out.
So, what happened? Did I master the courts of Colts Neck? Nope. Not even close. My big tennis experiment turned into more of a lesson about finding your place. Sometimes the obvious path isn’t the right one for you.
Funny thing is, I ended up finding this great hiking trail just a little ways away. No booking, no fees, no weird vibes. Just show up, walk, clear your head. That worked out way better for me. So yeah, that’s my Colts Neck tennis story. Less tennis, more just… life happening.
