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Many Flock To Jersey Shore For Papal Visit Weekend

OCEAN CITY, N.J., (CBS) -- Not everyone will be filing into Philadelphia to see the Pope.

Many people have decided to get out of the city.

"We wanted to escape the madness that is going on in Philadelphia right now," said one shore goer.

Many people from the Philadelphia area are trading in huge crowds, for moderate size ones - filling the Ocean City boardwalk Friday afternoon.

"We are on a Pope-vacation, Po-vacation, whatever. We're fleeing Philadelphia."

Chris and Pat from Warminster feared gridlock because of people trying to use the train station near their homes.

"I'd love to see the Pope but he's nervous Nellie so we're leaving," said Chris.

"I'm doing this for a mental health break because this is my yearly thing. I like to get away just to sort of like hide.

"And the crowds pushed him right out the door."

While many at the Jersey shore are seeking an escape, some people are actually here Friday as part of their total pilgrimage experience.

"I am here for a Pope-cation, my first time in Philadelphia and New Jersey. I came from South Dakota," said Patricia.

The shore can't promise sunshine and beach weather this weekend, but there is still plenty of things to do, see and of course, eat.

"We would have loved to see the Pope but just the crowds scared us away," said a shore goer.

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