Storm Watchers Disappointed In Earl

SEA BRIGHT, N.J. (CBS 2) -- Hours after Earl spared the Jersey Shore by straying from it, as CBS 2's Sean Hennessey reports, those hoping to take in Mother Nature's show walked away disappointed.

"Total disappointment. Missed the mark," said Bill Mulligan of Spring Lake Heights.

"It was nothing. Absolutely nothing," said Madeline Czachorowski.

Earl's winds were never fierce, leading those who boarded up homes to give up on the hurricane that wasn't.

"I think we dodged a bullet hopefully, you know which is good for everybody up and down the coast," said Bob Shipee of Brick Township.

Up and down the coast were wave watchers of all ages. "God's power. Come to see the waves going up and down. Beauty of the creations," said Levi Bolgin of Lakewood.

The waves crept closer than usual, but never threatened homes and left enough room to take in a book on the beach. "It's beautiful out here. It's exciting. I love the waves and the wind," said Jim McCarthy of Basking Ridge.

This daredevil loves the wave too, so much so that he took a dip in an angry ocean. "I'm a pretty good swimmer, lifeguard, so if you don't know what you're doing you definitely shouldn't go out there," said Colasurdo of Lacey Township.

The same could be said for one jet skier in Point Pleasant, where the fun park was temporarily closed as water got too close for comfort. "It's scary because if it gets any worse, it's going to go over the boardwalk and then everybody is going to get flooded," said Donna Gemma Williams.

That never happened.

Instead, Earl huffed and puffed but never blew anything down, or even came close.