[Editor's note: Jeff wrote this piece back in August after his visit to New Jersey, but for various reasons its publication was delayed. We present it to you now to commemorate the video release of the final chapter of Kevin Smith's "New Jersey" series of films: Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back.]

People like to make pilgrimages. They seek out holy places, family birthrights, and historical landmarks. But that's not all. There's also the pilgrimage of the die-hard fan. Folks flock to Elvis's digs at Graceland. I had friends that went every year to Athens, Georgia to become one with the birthplace of REM. People want to feel connected to something that entertains and inspires them. How many descended on Roslyn, Washington seeking mythical Cicely, Alaska when "Northern Exposure" was in its prime?

For me, it was Red Bank, New Jersey.

It all started one Sunday night about seven years ago. I was alone in my apartment watching an indie comedy about convenience store clerks. The sound was bad, the acting rough and I swear some parts were even out-of-focus, but I still loved it. Having done my time in retail hell, I related to the characters and their purgatory of stupid questions and prices ending in nine. Whatever the film's weaknesses, the script was sharp and funny.

Kevin Smith wrote and directed "Clerks." He wasn't a Hollywood scion or film school grad – just a guy from the 'burbs who liked movies and comic books. One day he decided to stop talking about making movies and actually made one. I'm also a guy from the 'burbs who likes movies and comic books so naturally, Smith became my new hero.

You may not like his movies, but Smith did accomplish what most guys his age only talk about. I'm sure there's some really brilliant art out there that will languish forever undiscovered because the artist never got off his can long enough to create it. Probably a lot of the people that slam Smith's movies are wannabe directors pissed off that he's living their life. Hey, I'm a wannabe director and I applaud him for living my life.

I don't want to get all mushy; it's just that I think this guy's pretty cool. He ranks right up there with Jesus, my dad and the guy that invented the Blow Pop. And it's not just because he makes movies. Roger Spottiswoode and Stephen Herek make movies and I don't find them extremely inspiring. I think it's more because Smith is a guy my age that pursued his dreams until they came true. He found the golden ticket.

I'm sure that every day isn't Christmas for this guy, but for the most part, he seems to be having a pretty good time. He makes movies with his friends, writes comic books and always tells the stories he wants to tell. Plus, he stays true to his roots. While every other director is weaving a tale in New York or LA, Smith sets movies in his beloved home state of New Jersey.

Like most of you, I've seen Smith's films several times. I own them all on DVD and get a big kick out of the extras, especially the commentaries that sound like a big party and the intros he stages at his comic book shop in Red Bank, New Jersey. Here's another reason why the dude rocks. Does Steven Spielberg have a comic book shop in his hometown?

When plugs for Jay and Silent Bob's Secret Stash started popping up at the end of Smith's movies, I was curious. Was this a real honest-to-God comic book store or just a front to shill merchandise from Smith's movies? Actually, I didn't really care. It sounded like a fun place either way. One of these days I was going to check out this wondrous land of New Jersey and discover what treasures awaited at 35 Broad Street in Red Bank.

My chance came this summer when my girlfriend and I were planning our vacation. She had some family business to take care of in Delaware and I was going along for the ride. Since New Jersey is just across the bridge from the D state, I convinced her that we had to check out the View Askewniverse for ourselves. We arrived in Delaware on a Saturday and by Tuesday – you can see everything you need to see in Delaware by Tuesday – set out for Kevin Smith country.

Being a "turn left at the 7-11" kind of guy instead of a "go northwest twenty kilometers" fellow, I really appreciated the incredibly specific directions provided by the View Askew web site. We found Jay and Silent Bob's Secret Stash nestled between other quaint shops in the quiet hamlet of Red Bank. When we first passed it, I got the same flutter of excitement as when I caught my first glimpse of the Grand Canyon. I know that makes me sound like a big geek, but I'm still impressed when I can find stuff on a map without my dad's help.

We parked around the corner and made our way back to the store. A word or two about Red Bank: Smith's films don't do this scenic little burg justice. Maybe I was on a high from finding the place or it could have been the three ginseng ice teas I'd guzzled on the way there, but Red Bank is idyllic. Small Town America at its finest.

We arrived the day before Independence Day and found the town draped in banners proclaiming the upcoming town picnic and fireworks display. The area nursing home was hosting a cookout for its residents complete with live music. The local park sits on a lake with a postcard-perfect view. We kept saying, "This is New Jersey?"

Forgive us, Garden Staters, but movies, stand-up comics and Springsteen songs haven't painted the prettiest picture of your home. We were expecting power plants, big hair and acid wash jeans. We found Mayberry. It was a pleasant eye-opener. We now know why Smith is so fond of this place. I'd make movies here, too.

We got ready to cross the street when I realized we were standing in front of Jack's Music Shoppe, one of the locations from "Chasing Amy." It's where Banky and Holden have their studio/apartment and the scene on the stoop where Banky and Holden talk after he finds out about Alyssa. It's a surreal moment when you find yourself standing next to something that's been immortalized on film. After some quick snapshots, we were ready to enter the legendary Jay and Silent Bob's Secret Stash.

If it had been open.

A little cardboard sign taped to the door said, "Be right back." Guess we caught them out to lunch. After a few minutes, the guy returned and unlocked the door. We had entertained ourselves on the ride down by debating who would actually be there to greet us. We weren't deluded enough to think Kevin Smith would be smiling behind the counter, but what about Jason Mewes a.k.a. Jay? Or Brian O'Halloran and Jeff Anderson, Dante and Randal from "Clerks"? Or would it just be some guy in a "Clerks" T-shirt?

The genial fellow who let us in looked familiar, but I couldn't place him. It took me awhile before it clicked and then a neon bulb went off in my brain. It was Walt the Fan Boy! Yes, true believers, Walt Flanagan– the guy that introduced Kevin Smith to the joys of comic book collecting, the template for Brodie Bruce, View Askew's answer to Lon Chaney (he played about four parts in "Clerks" alone) – was running Jay and Silent Bob's Secret Stash. His dog, however, was nowhere to be seen.

Remember when I wondered if the Stash was going to be a real comic book store or just a joint hawking movie swag? The Stash is not only a legitimate comic book shop; it's one of the best I've ever seen! They've got a great selection of titles– not just the popular stuff– and stacks and stacks of back issues. Most places these days have only a modest collection of titles, preferring to push figurines, cards and other collectibles. You can tell the Stash is a comics store run by fans.

It also doesn't disappoint as a showcase for View Askew memorabilia. There's stuff everywhere. Props from all the films, like Jay's T-shirt from "Clerks," Alyssa's hockey jersey from "Chasing Amy," and a pair of bloody angel's wings from "Dogma." There's also a copy of the original script to "Clerks" with the itemized budget for the film ($27,000). It's a movie fan's dream come true. Like Planet Hollywood, but without the high prices and mediocre food.

My girlfriend and I loaded up on souvenirs. Okay, I loaded up on souvenirs, but she did help me carry them. There were T-shirts from every flick as well as all the View Askew comics and added bonuses like a Buddy Christ statue for my car dashboard. I was giddy. Lost in a haze of unbridled fan boy consumerism. I dropped about $200 in all, but it was worth it. When was I going to get back to this oasis? Plus, you can always use more T-shirts.

After paying, I introduced myself to Walt. Told him that we'd come all the way from Florida to check out the store. He could not have been nicer to us. Apparently, it's not rare for people pop up in Red Bank and gush uncontrollably about Kevin Smith. We chatted briefly about the films and his part in them. Walt says he shot a cameo for the new flick, "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back," but he doesn't know yet if he made the final cut.

Before leaving, I slipped Walt one of my Stomp Tokyo business cards (never miss a chance for marketing) and asked if he'd mind posing for a picture. He graciously agreed and then inquired if we'd had a chance to stop by the stores. Any View Askew fan worth his comics collection knows Walt was referring to Quick Stop and RST Video, the setting for "Clerks"– where it all began. He provided us with handwritten directions and also a tip on how to find the Marina Diner, where Alyssa haggled for the Dyksiezski in "Chasing Amy."

Walt Flanagan, we salute you.

Quick Stop and RST Video are about a twenty-minute drive from the Stash. We found them pretty easily despite a minor setback when we got lost on Route 35 (or was it New Monmouth?). The stores looked just like they did in the movies, except in color. From the flicks, you'd think they were stuck in some urban area, but they're actually sitting on the fringes of a suburban neighborhood. It looks like the kind of place where kids ride their bikes to get sodas and baseball cards.

The interior of both places is very small. Quick Stop has narrow aisles while RST Video is maybe twice the size of a walk-in closet. You understand why most of the action took place at their front counters. There's an acknowledgment to Kevin Smith in both stores. In Quick Stop, there is a framed magazine article about Smith making "Clerks" posted near the front above the aspirin and condoms. On the front door to RST, they've taped an article on "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back" with a handwritten note that says "Filmed here on location March 30– April 2, 2001."

The guy behind the counter at Quick Stop was kind of surly and bitter. Maybe it was sour grapes or he was just weary of tourists coming in to walk around and take pictures without buying anything. Out of respect for the establishment that launched my hero's career, I bought a ginseng ice tea. My girlfriend put a Stomp Tokyo sticker somewhere in the store. You'll have to go there for yourself to find out where. It was our own way of paying homage to View Askew.

The Asian lady running RST was much more pleasant. She asked us if we were "Clerks" fans and then left us alone as we walked from one end of the store to the other. I would have rented something, but the late fees would have killed me. Here's a little bit of trivia: the clerks do walk from one store to the other, taking the time to lock the door – just like Randal in "Clerks." We stood outside for awhile, taking pictures, and wondering if you could really play hockey on the roof.

The Marina Diner was just around the corner. It looks exactly the same. I think the waiters even dress like they did in the movie. We sat diagonally from where Alyssa and Holden ate dinner. We had lunch and, just so you know, neither of us ordered the French Dip. There are actually cheesy oil paintings on the walls and they are for sale although we weren't compelled to buy one. I was tempted to ask the lady at the cash register if she was an "authorized deal maker in this establishment," but figured she wouldn't get it.

Following lunch, we drove for awhile soaking it all in. We had toured the View Askewniverse, visiting the sites that had inspired one of our favorite filmmakers. Plus, we'd discovered Red Bank– one of the nicest places on earth and home to the coolest comics shop I'd ever seen. My pilgrimage was complete. If anything, this trip had increased my appreciation for the talented Mr. Smith.

Besides, Walt Flanagan wouldn't hang out with just anybody, now would he?

Now, we're back home and impatiently waiting for the premiere of "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back," Smith's last movie to be set in the View Askewniverse. Like most of you, I'll be there opening night– clad in my Jay and Silent Bob's Secret Stash T-shirt and clutching my Buddy Christ statue. When the lights go down and the fun starts on Jay and Silent Bob's swan song, I'll be looking for the familiar sites of Red Bank. As America says goodbye to the View Askewniverse, I'll be saying hello to a happy memory.