Top o' The Parkway to Ya! Trivia Quiz

Answer: Captain Cornelius Mey - the English changed the spelling

New Jersey's southernmost County, Cape May, stretches below the Mason-Dixon Line. The Dutch Captain Mey explored the area in 1620-21, and erected the first European-built structure in what would become New Jersey. Dutch and Swedish forces fought over the area until both were ousted by the English.

It's nice to be wanted. Today, the town of Cape May is a beautifully preserved Victorian resort.

Answer: Sort of - Enoch "Nucky" Johnson

Enoch Johnson (1883-1968) came from a politically active family, succeeding his father as County Sheriff. In 1911, he became head of the Atlantic County Republican political machine (yes, the GOP in NJ) when the previous leader was convicted of corruption. Equally corrupt, Johnson enriched himself in various public offices including Clerk of the New Jersey Supreme Court.

Some details of the series are accurate - Johnson had a German valet and a suite at the Ritz Carlton - but he was less violent than his cable counterpart. Won't give away any spoilers, but the real Nucky lived to a ripe old age and succumbed to natural causes.

Answer: Cranberries

Despite its name, Double Trouble Park is a pleasant family destination. The Park features over a dozen restored historic buildings, including a sawmill and the cranberry packing house. Cranberries are still a major crop in NJ, thanks to the soggy bogs.

Answer: The Jersey Devil

The NJ hockey team's logo doesn't capture this vicious, leathery, flying, carnivorous, ravenous, stealthy - actually, there's no consensus as to what the Devil looks like. A Native American tribe called the Barrens "land of the dragon." Others tell of a spawn of the Devil, born to a local woman in 1735: bat wings, goat's head, forked tail, destined for politics. Made up the last bit, but that's what legends are for.

Answer: James Bradley - a New York manufacturer

In 1871, Manhattan industrialist and philanthropist James A. Bradley began developing this city, which he named for Methodist Bishop Francis Asbury. Bradley also founded the nearby town of Bradley Beach, but that's too easy. Under Bradley's influence, Asbury Park was equiped with electrical service and an artesian water supply - major advances for the time.

In the 20th century, Asbury Park experienced an economic decline, but is now being redeveloped as a pleasant shore resort. (Bruce Springsteen was born in Long Branch - that's Exit 105!)

Answer: James Garfield

James Garfield was shot and wounded by an assassin in Washington, D.C. on July 2, 1881. In September, he was transported by train to Long Branch's milder climate. The last part of the journey was on a rail spur specially laid to a cottage near the beach.

The medical knowledge of the time could not save his life. The other six Presidents to summer in Long Branch were Ulysses Grant, Rutherford Hayes, Chester Arthur, Benjamin Harrison, William McKinley, and Woodrow Wilson.

Answer: It's the widest highway bridge in the world

When first opened in 1954, the bridge had no name and only two lanes in each direction. In 1972, a second span was added, giving five lanes each way, but traffic jams persisted. In 1974, the bridge was named for Gov. Alfred Driscoll, who advocated construction of both the Garden State Parkway and the New Jersey Turnpike.

In 2009, a rebuilt Driscoll Bridge opened with a total of 15 travel lanes (8 northbound; 7 southbound) plus six shoulder lanes for police and emergency vehicles, making it the widest highway bridge on earth. New Yorkers still snarl traffic on Friday evenings in the summer, but it's way better now.

Answer: The Parkway, about 50 miles longer

The GSP is 172 miles and a bit long. It's easy to tell because GSP Exit numbers correspond to the distance north of "Mile Zero" in Cape May County. The Jersey Turnpike is a tad over 122 miles in length from the Delaware Memorial Bridge to the northern end near the George Washington Bridge. Turnpike exit numbers are sequential and not related to distances.

Some drivers claim that both highways grow significantly longer on hot summer days in heavy traffic, but the phenomenon has yet to be proven.

Answer: Gasoline stations

The team originally sported blue-and-gold uniforms. In the early 1960s, New Jersey oilman Leon Hess became a major stockholder. Under his leadership, the team switched to green-and-white, which was the color scheme of Hess gasoline stations. Mr. Hess passed away in 1999, but the colors live on, and so does the "New York" part of the team's name.

Answer: You join the New York State Thruway

The New York State Thruway - New Yorkers don't have the time to spell properly - extends a tentacle southward to link up with the GSP. When you reach the Thruway proper, you can head west to Suffern or east to the Tappan Zee Bridge over the Hudson River.

As of 2013, the Z-Bridge is slated to be replaced by a new and very expensive span. The bridge is at one of the widest points along the entire river. Silly New Yorkers.