Planning My Beach Weekend 6/27-6/29

I'm looking forward to heading to OC tonight and staying there until July 6!  It will be my first whole week in my new house and my whole family will be joining me.

Since there are so many things going on at the beaches over the next week, I'm only going to take it a couple days at a time - starting with this weekend.

The Dew Tour is in Ocean City this weekend and it's bringing two free concerts on the beach with it.  Friday (6/27) night at 9, Cage The Elephant is performing with Skaters.  Saturday (6/28) night at 9, Griz is performing with Herobust.  Check out the Dew Tour website for a full schedule of events.

If I'm not feeling like sharing the boardwalk with the "youthful" Dew Tour attendees, I may head up to the Rehoboth Beach Bandstand to check out 7 Bridges:  The Ultimate Eagles Experience.  This cover band promises to be a "stunningly accurate tribute to the music of the Eagles".  The show goes on at 8 PM on Friday, June 27.

On Saturday and Sunday, the OC Convention Center hosts the Gift of Light Psychic Fair & Body, Mind, Spirit Expo.  This gathering of psychics, mediums, tarot card readers, and healers runs from 10-7 on Sat. and 10-6 on Sun.  Admission is $12. Children under 10 are free.  Click here for a $1 off admission coupon.

Saturday night, one of my favorite 80s cover bands, The Chest Pains, return to BJs on the Water.  Show starts at 9 PM.  Grab some apps and a drink and watch the dance floor for some real entertainment!

I'm not sure how much beach time I'll get this weekend.  The weather looks a bit threatening.  I'm packing plenty of books, food, and games to survive in case it rains.  No matter the weather, I will make the most of my beach weekend.  Super excited to get back to the sand!

Weekend Highlights: Ice Show at the Carousel Hotel and Dining Bayside at BJs

I survived Senior Citizen Week at the beach!  My mother and I arrived in OC on Friday afternoon after a stop at Go Brit in Lewes.  Mom tried the fish and chips and I had the chicken and chips (my favorite - yum!).  After taking Mom on a tour of my new house (she doesn't understand the wall hangings and have I considered new carpet?), we headed to the beach at 136th St. It took us a while to get to the water with our chairs (Mom's not the quickest walker), but we eventually made it and sat and relaxed for a while.

We had dinner at the Carousel Hotel in the "fine dining" restaurant.  Meh.

After dinner, we were able to catch the FREE Ice Skating Show in the Carousel Hotel Atrium.  Wow!  Those kids are good!  The show runs approx. 1/2 hour and features some cool music, costumes and choreography.  We were pretty impressed.  I'd like to check this out again some time.

Mom likes to watch HGTV, so I spent Friday evening on my couch listening to her criticize home renovations ("They spend $685K for THAT!??)

Saturday, we hit the boards and watched the construction of the Dew Tour facility for a while.  It's pretty amazing how quick that went up.  They were just loading the materials on to the beach when I was there the week before.  After snacking our way back to the inlet parking lot (Fractured Prune, Thrashers Fries, and Hot Dogs), I took Mom back to my house for a much needed nap.

Saturday night, we dined under the clouds on the deck at BJs On The Water.  I had a surprisingly good dinner.  I had only ever had apps and drinks at BJs, but the Terriyaki Chicken and rice was quite delicious, as well as my salad with homemade blue cheese dressing.  Mom decided to get a lobster tail dinner, which she said was the best she's had in a long time.  We topped it off with delicious desserts (I had Dulce de Leche cake and Mom had a giant ice cream sundae) and headed home to watch more HGTV.

It was a relaxing weekend and I think Mom had a good time reminding me how to drive!

6/20 - 6/22 Beach Weekend Planner: "Senior" Week Part II - Taking My 70 Year Old Mom to the Beach

Though the weather looks a bit threatening, I'm going to take the trip to the sand and hope for the best. The Firefly Festival hits Dover this weekend and I'm hoping that the traffic back-up on Route 1 is nothing like what I saw in the news from last years festival.

This weekend, I will be taking my mother down to OC to see my beach house for the first time. She hasn't had a real vacation for almost 12 years because she has been caring for my father after he had a major stroke. She deserves some R & R and I hope to be able to help her to relax.

When I asked my mother what she wanted to do most this weekend, she told me that she really only wanted to get some Thrasher's French Fries. She insists that we have to get them in Rehoboth because the ones in OC and Bethany are "not the same". So, I'm really looking forward to driving all the way to Rehoboth from OC just to get some friggin' French fries! This shouldn't surprise me. She believes that the Orville Redenbacher popcorn is fresher if you get it from Super Fresh and that milk from Rite Aid tastes better than milk from Acme. It's enough to make me crazy sometimes, but I usually appease her so I'm partly to blame!

What should I do with a 70 year old woman who has trouble walking and easts mostly junk food?

1. Check out the FREE Live ice show at the Carousel Hotel. Shows run nightly at 6:30 through August 11. Here's some more info:

2. Ride the Tram Car on the OC Boardwalk. I actually tried this for the first time in my life a few weeks ago. It's something I've always wanted to do, but never did. The best part of the ride was listening to the conductor and his buddies in the back of the tram talking about the people on the boards. Hilarious! Sit in the back for added entertainment! Fare is $3 (you must have exact change! No exceptions!). 

3. Grab a Sundae at Dumsers Dairyland

I've been going to Dumser's for ice cream and casual dining since my kids were babies. They serve breakfast until 2 PM and offer a variety of ice cream treats. Sort of reminds me of a Friendly's - only cleaner. Mom will definitely want to grab a Banana Split and hang out here for a while.

4. Have dinner at Nick's House of Ribs
I like Nick's food. I really do. But, every time I go, I feel like I've been transported back to my youth. A time when every restaurant had brick, brass, dim tiffany-style lighting, and carpet. This is the kind of place Mom loves and where she can get a nice slab of prime rib washed down with a Coca-Cola. Ugh. I'll stick with the ribs (because they are quite good) and reminisce about my days of feathered hair and legwarmers.

Once I've fed her and exposed her to the salt air, I should be able to get her to nap for a while back at the house and I will be able to catch up on some yard work or take a walk to the bay. I can almost guarantee that, by Saturday afternoon, she'll be asking to go home early. Gotta love her!

How The I495 Closure is Messing With My Beach Ride

I've never been a huge fan or heavy user of I495. It always seemed to me that you only used it if you were driving a large truck or if you live in Pennsylvania. There's something a bit ominous about that stretch of highway that, especially at night, sort of bothered me.

Today, I have a new appreciation for I495 because, now, I have to share I95 with the truckers and the people from PA. When I495 closed two weeks ago, I really didn't think it would be a problem 'cause, ya' know, nobody uses I495 anyway, right? Wrong!I'm having to get a bit creative about my start and return times from the beach. Leaving Thursday evenings is always a good idea, especially if I go later (last week, I left at 8:45 PM and arrived at my beach house in OC exactly 2 hours later). Coming home yesterday after leaving OC at 11 AM was a different story. Although traffic was heavy heading north, we were all moving at a good speed and there were no delays - until we hit I95. From that point on, a leg of my trip that normally takes 10 minutes took 45. 

 

Now I'm trying to decide what to do next week. Do I skip I95 altogether and head up Route 13 to Route 141 to get to North Wilmington? Should I leave the beach at 6 AM to beat the traffic? Take a boat through the Delaware Bay and head up the Delaware River? I don't think that there are any easy answers for this dilemma.

Fortunately, everyone stuck on I95 yesterday (a hot, sunny afternoon) seemed to be acting pretty cool and understanding that we are all in this together. I only hope that feeling of brotherhood can last through Labor Day, when they claim that part of the I495 bridge will reopen.

My traffic survival kit consists of snacks (granola, yogurt, Tic Tacs and gummy bears) and bottled water. I keep a couple of "This American Life" podcasts on my iphone and ipod to help pass the time and calm the nerves. This will be my solution for the rest of the summer and, as long as I don't drink too much of the bottled water, my new 3-4 hour beach commute should go smoothly.

Highlights of Another Beautiful Beach Weekend / Grab N' Go Taco Review

It's Monday morning and I'm exhausted (in a good way) from my beach weekend. I feel like my fins need a soak and I can't stop smiling - sure signs that I had a good weekend!

Friday's weather in OC was quite nice for most of the day. My daughter and I headed up to Diamond Nails & Spa at 7209 Coastal Hwy in Ocean City for much needed pedicures. I was quite pleased with the results. The staff was very friendly and it was affordable. We walked out in to the sun with our clean, shiny feet and headed up to Rehoboth Beach, which was under a horrible storm cloud when we arrived.

After hiding out at the Purple Parrot for dinner and drinks, we ventured on to the avenue for some shopping and the sky grew dark again. We were fortunate to be near the First Street Station and hid under the roof there for about 45 minutes. By the time the storm ended, it was time to head up to Dogfish Head Brewpub to catch Bob Mould.

 

Bob Mould performing at Dogfish Head Brewpub

 

Bob played solo with his electric guitar (interesting) to a fairly large crowd. He looked and sounded good, but I had trouble hearing the vocals through the guitar. Could've been my seat, but I don't think so.

Saturday brought perfect weather - sunny and breezy - and we headed to Northside Park for the Arts Alive Fine Art Show. Although I didn't buy any art, it was great to stroll through the park on such a beautiful day. The festival had a good vibe and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves.

 

Arts Alive Fine Art Festival at Northside Park in OC

 

After a quick lunch break, it was up to the inlet to find parking for the OC Air Show. This wasn't as good an idea as I thought it would be! The inlet parking lot was so full that they were only allowing cars in after others had left. This created a huge jam-up before the gates. Since the planes are visible from the entire boardwalk, it might have been a better idea to find parking on a street near the end of the boardwalk or, better yet, take a boat out to the ocean and sit anchored on the shoreline (like many others did)!

 

 

OC Air Show view from the boardwalk. 

 

Saturday night, we tried the new Grab and Go Taco in Fenwick Island. I was quite pleased with my chicken fajita taco and chicken quesadilla. The taco was overstuffed with marinated chicken, cheese, and red cabbage. I got some Green Crack (sort of a thin guacamole sauce) on the side and found that to be a tasty addition to both dishes. The salsa that came with the quesadilla was mild and chunky - just the way I like it. Prices are good and the staff was very friendly. This would make a great stop heading out of town or on your way back from the beach.

Since Sunday was Fathers Day, we stopped at Fishers Popcorn and Candy Kitchen to take home treats for our Dads. Both seemed pleased with their gifts, although it's probably not a good idea to load senior citizens up with junk food!

Great weekend and already looking forward to Friday when I head back!

Plans for the 6/13-6/15 Beach Weekend

This weekend is one that I've been looking forward to for quite some time. Although the beach weather forecast for Friday looks "iffy" (possible scattered thunderstorms), there's still nowhere I would rather be!

I'm sort of hoping for a little bit of rain so that I have an excuse to walk up to the Sun and Surf Theater to see "Ping Pong Summer". This movie was filmed completely in Ocean City a couple of years ago and made its premiere on May 31. It was released in theaters on June 6. The film stars Susan Sarandon, Lea Thompson, and Amy Sedaris and seems like it might be one of those feel-good, underdog wins in the end, coming-of-age, summer movies. But how cool will it be to see OCMD on the big screen?!

Here are some other things I'm going to try to cram in to my three day weekend:

 1. Catch Bob Mould at Dogfish Head (remember him from Husker Du?) He is headlining Analog-A-Go-Go on 6/13. Check out details here.

 2.  Drink some wine in the park.  Friday 6/13 through Sunday 6/15 is the 2nd Annual Wine in the Park event at Northside Park in Ocean City. For a $25 admission fee, you get

a complimentary wine glass and sample coupons that you can use to sample a wide array of wines. There will be food available for purchase and live entertainment. The event runs from 12 PM - 8 PM each day. For more information, visit:
http://ococean.com/events/wine-in-the-park

3.  Watch the OC Air Show.  Saturday 6/14 and Sunday 6/15 you can catch the OC Air Show (oooohhhh!!). From 1-4 PM on the boardwalk, you can watch the show free of charge. The OC web site claims you can see the show from the entire length of the boardwalk, but the best seats are at 16th St. VIP seating is available for a fee. Here are the details: http://www.ocairshow.com/

4.  Check out some fine art.  Saturday 6/14 and Sunday 6/15 also happen to be the dates for Ocean City's Arts Alive, which is also in Northside Park (where the wine is!) This is a fine arts festival with over 100 vendors.. You can grab a bite to eat and listen to live music while you wander the park looking at the art (or wander over to where the wine is!). Hours are 9 AM to 5 PM and admission is FREE!

5. Head back to Rehoboth for a free concert.  If I'm not too tired from fighter jets, wine, and art on Saturday night, I may head up to Rehoboth Beach and check out Love Seed Mama Jump at the bandstand on Rehoboth Avenue. Their show starts at 8 PM and is, of course, FREE.

In between, I'm hoping to put in some time on the sand with my new Tommy Bahama umbrella and a good book. Let's hope for warm temps and no rain!

Water Views vs. Great Food

What’s better than dining at a bayside table at sunset?  With a great view and a cool drink, you can’t really go wrong.  The problem is, most of the resort areas bayside eateries focus on quantity vs. quality.  They pack in as many people as possible and serve mediocre (at best) food and hope that their patrons will drink enough Orange Crushes not to notice.  I admit that it’s easy to get so caught up in the reggae music and swaying palm trees that are shipped in for the season that you don’t care about food quality.  But, I have to say that, some of the restaurants that I’ve liked the most are not on the water and don’t have a man-made “beach” in their backyard.  If you’re willing to sacrifice the fake tropical feel of the busy bayside restaurants, here are a couple of gems that I’ve tried recently that could be a good alternative:

 Jules

11805 Coastal Hwy., Ocean City
www.julesoc.com
Located in a strip mall, but offers a unique menu and great specials.  Great for a special dinner out.

One Coastal
101-6 Coastal Hwy., Fenwick Island

https://www.facebook.com/onecoastal

Don't blink or you'll miss this hidden gem.  It's located in a little corner next to Ruddo's Golf.  Delicious homemade specials, great menu selection, best potato salad at the beach, super friendly staff, and they serve breakfast too!

Hubba’s Pit Beef, BBQ, and Seafood

11805 Coastal Hwy., Ocean City
www.hubbasinoc.com

Located in the same shopping center and a few doors down from Jules, you'll find the best pit beef in OC.  Friendly owners and staff and a relaxed, casual atmosphere.  A great value - especially for families.  Try the brisket too!

Liquid Assets

94th & Coastal Hwy, Ocean City
www.la94.com

I only recently tried this eatery because I had a gift certificate.  Now, I wish I'd found it sooner.  With house-made doughnuts on the dessert menu, how can you go wrong?
94th & Coastal Hwy, Ocean City
www.la94.com

 

Purple Parrot

134 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach
www.ppgrill.com
This place has actually been a go-to for me for quite a few years.  Besides the fun atmosphere, quirky decor, and relaxing bier garden, the food is really tasty.  Lots of interesting stuff on the menu including some unexpected items (like Schnitzel!).  They have karaoke every Friday and Saturday night and a drag show on Sundays at 10 PM.  Fun!!
 

Weekend Countdown starts NOW!

It’s Wednesday and time to start planning my beach weekend!  Since Ocean City will be dealing with an influx of graduating high school seniors AND the “unsanctioned” College Beach Week Takeover, I think I might just head north to Rehoboth!

 



June 1-6 is Restaurant week in Rehoboth.  Over 25 restaurants are offering fixed price meal deals at $25, $35, or $45.  Click here for a list of participating eateries:
http://www.downtownrehoboth.com/

 If you prefer to eat on the run, you might want to try the Eating Rehoboth Walking Food Tour.  It’s 3 hours long and you get to sample food and drinks at 5 eateries and stop at a specialty food shop.   I checked their website at www.eatingrehoboth.com and it looks like they offer tours on Friday and Sunday in Rehoboth for $49 per person. 

 It looks like I will have to hit Dewey Beach on Friday night to see The Legwarmers at the Bottle and Cork.  They bill themselves as the ultimate 80s tribute band and, well…anyone who knows me knows that I couldn’t miss this!  Tix are $15 and can be purchased here:  http://www.ticketfly.com/venue/7925-bottle-cork/

 

Welcome to Summer 2014!

For most of my life, I have headed to the beach for vacations or special day trips.  It is where most of my fondest memories were formed and where I feel most at home.  There is a moment, every time I go there, when I see the ocean, take a deep breath, and feel like my soul has been “reset”. 

 For many years, my husband and I dreamed of owning a home near the ocean.  This year, that dream came true when we bought a house in Ocean City, MD.  It’s within walking distance of the beach and the bay and, when I’m there, I don’t want to leave.  I try to get there every weekend and carry my good “beachy” feeling back to North Wilmington with me.  Usually, by Thursday, I’m ready for another fix! 

 

My beach house!

 

 This blog is the perfect way for me to share my discoveries and document my adventures in this amazing stretch of sand that I now call my second home.

 I’m heading back down this weekend and looking forward to the predicted perfect weather.  The past few weekends have brought us some beautiful, breezy beach days and I never thought I’d be so thrilled to have a car trunk full of sand!

 Review:  Barn 34

This past weekend, we decided to try the new Barn 34, which is housed in what used to be the Christmas Spirit store at 3400 Coastal Highway in Ocean City.  It has a rustic, barn-like décor and a fun and friendly atmosphere.  On the night that we were there, the place was slowly filling up with Baltimore Ravens fans in town for the 2014 Ravens Beach Bash.  Since I bleed Philadelphia Eagles green, I had to respect that I was outnumbered by the purple people, relax, and enjoy their excitement.  The lunch/dinner menu is not extensive – mainly sandwiches, burgers, and salads.  We shared a delicious, warm dip with corn, cream cheese, peppers, and a cheddar topping as an appetizer (so good I was searching for a recipe for it when I got home).  My grilled chicken breast sandwich that was tender and tasty with lots of yummy toppings.  The hand-cut fries reminded me of boardwalk beach fries – in a good way!  My husband tried one of the 1/3 lb burgers and found it a bit pink in the middle for his liking, but seemed to enjoy it. 

The only negative I will mention is the glaring sun coming in through the front windows while we were dining.  There was really no way to get away from it and it seemed to be bothering other diners in our section as well (if you have to wear sunglasses inside, it’s too bright).  I would imagine, as the weather gets warmer, this might become a bigger problem for them.  I’m sure they don’t want to ruin the bright, airy, rustic feel of the restaurant, but blinds or shades wouldn’t detract much if they’re only down during the sunny time of the day.

 Barn 34 also serves breakfast/brunch and lunch. We’ll definitely visit again soon!  Find them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/barn34oc