Smoke On The Water

They say that there's nothing worse than a reformed reformer.  For almost two months, I've been guilty of being "that person".  I am proud to report that I quit smoking and, amazingly, had very little trouble doing so. 

I always believed that I was horribly addicted to nicotine and would need to serious rehabilitation or hypnosis in order to overcome the urge to smoke.  I was happily surprised when I discovered the book , The Easy Way To Stop Smoking by Allen Carr.  Not only did this book make me want to quit, it actually made me happily anticipate how good I was going to feel after I did so.  Since it was so easy for me, I want to shout it from the rooftops and try to get the world to quit smoking.  For now, I'll start with promoting it from my little blog!

Now that I am a non-smoker, I can smell nasty cigarette smoke from a mile away - especially when I'm sitting on the beach.  Nothing is worse than having the wonderful smell of salt air and sand interrupted by cigarette or cigar smoke.

In Old Timey Days, smoking on the beach was so cool!

Fortunately, the DE/MD resort towns all have new laws when it comes to smoking in public.  For those of you who choose to smoke, here are the rules:


Ocean City, MD:  Smokers must smoke within 15 feet of the 153 designated receptacles on the beach and 15 feet off of the boardwalk.  The entire OC boardwalk is a smoke-free zone.  The smoking ban applies to cigarettes, cigars, e-cigarettes, pipes, or any matter or substance that contains nicotine.  Fines of up to $500 can be imposed on violators.




Ocean City's fancy new orange smoking barrels

Fenwick Island, DE:  By Ordinance, The Town of Fenwick Island does not allow
the burning of a cigarette, cigar, pipe or other matter or substance that contains tobacco on its beach or in its parks.  There is a $100 fine for each violation.

Bethany Beach, DE:  This was the first resort town in the area to put a no-smoking ordinance in to place.  You cannot smoke anything anywhere on  the beach or boardwalk.  Violators can be fined by Bethany Police (lifeguards don't usually police smoking on any of the beaches).  It looks like smoking is still legal on the beach in South Bethany Beach (for now), but they're asking that you kindly pick up your butts when you leave the sand.

Dewey Beach, DE:  Smoking is banned from the beach and town parks.

Rehoboth Beach, DE:  No smoking anything (cigarettes, cigars, e-cigs, pipes, etc) on the beach except in designated areas (not sure where they are), the bandstand, town parks, or on the boardwalk.  You're also not allowed to feed the seagulls (never knew that).

I would just assume that you shouldn't be lighting up anything on any beach or boardwalk in DE/MD, unless you see a sign telling you that it's o.k. to do so.  And, although these towns threaten hefty fines for violations, most of them admit during press interviews that they will give people verbal warnings and expect smoking visitors to be "self-policing". 

Now - if only the resort towns could ban these:

Enjoy the sunny and warm weather this week.  As they say on the boards (usually on a camouflage print T-Shirt), "Suns Out Guns Out"!

What Not To Do This Weekend @ The Beach

It's finally here.  Memorial Day 2015 and the start of the summer season.  We're not quite using the A/C every day, but I'm pretty sure we won't be needing to turn the heat on any time soon.  In other words, winter is over.




Instead of telling you about all of the events and happenings at the DE/MD beaches this weekend (don't worry - there's only a few boring events happening.  Mostly nature and museum shit), I thought it might be best to tell you what to avoid.  Here's a few things not to do on Memorial Day weekend:

Don't attend the OC Beach lights exhibit on the boardwalk in Ocean City on Sunday night.  It's not worth waiting to get out of the inlet parking lot for an hour when it's over.

OC Beach Lights Exhibit on the boardwalk in OC - not half as thrilling as it appears in this pic

If you ignore my advice and DO attend the OC Beach lights exhibit, don't be an asshole and not let cars in line in front of you when you're waiting to get out of the inlet parking lot for an hour when it's over.  (side note from 2014:  it's never o.k. to give a 10 year old the middle finger - no matter how hard they're laughing at you).

Avoid Seacrets.  This goes for every weekend - not just Memorial Day. 

Mmmm....Seacrets water.

Don't forget to pack sunscreen and other beach items.  The drug stores, beach supply stores, and Sunstations charge a fortune for these items.  You will, seriously, pay double or more for your Coppertone at the beach.  Same goes for towels, chairs, and coolers.  Hit up Target before you leave town.

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Parking on Rehoboth Avenue is going to be practically non-existent on Saturday afternoon.  If you want to shop there, don't go between 10 AM and 2 PM.  Best to go early, then get out of town and go relax on a beach somewhere.

Don't leave to go home from the beach on Sunday morning at 11:00 AM.  That's when everyone is preparing to leave (including me...if I go).  Don't want any traffic back-ups!

Be sure to check out the summer music line-up at the Bottle & Cork in Dewey Beach. There are a few good shows coming up (ex. Citizen Cope, Buddy Guy, Parliament Funkadelic, and - my favorite - English Beat!)  Follow link above for tix. 

Due to unforeseen events up here in Wilmington, I may only be going for a quick overnight this weekend. Everyone have fun, and be safe!!

Bitchin' Camaro, Bitchin' Camaro!

OC Inlet Parking Lot during Cruisin' Ocean City

If you like loud cars, crowds, no parking, and "The Dukes of Hazzard", you might be a redneck.  Or - you could just simply be in Ocean City, MD this weekend for the 25th Annual Cruisin' Ocean City.  This event boasts that it will attract over 3,500 custom cars from over 20 states.  From my experience last year, it will attract an additional 5,000 douche bags from Maryland and Pennsatucky.  Not saying that the custom hot rods aren't cool - just saying, if you're heading to OC this weekend, be sure to pack your patience.  I plan to make a short trip down on Thursday night to do some cleaning and yard work and try to get out of town before it gets too crazy.

For a quieter experience (and mostly imported cars), you can always head to Rehoboth Beach to browse the 32nd Annual Spring Sidewalk Sale.  I actually checked this out last year and found some good deals.  

The weather in the resort areas is predicted to be warm and partly sunny this weekend, which makes it perfect for a walk on Rehoboth Avenue or a trip to the outlets.

Scary Fog

Last weekend, the whole coast was covered in fog all weekend.  It was, seriously, the worst fog I have ever been in.  Friday morning, I almost turned around and drove home because I was concerned for my safety while driving in it.  Saturday morning, my daughter and I took a walk to the beach to see the sunrise and could barely see the surf through the thick, foggy mist.  Later in the day, we ventured to the inlet to check out Springfest and noticed that, despite the sunny skies, there was still a slight haze blowing across the island.  



Springfest seemed to be well-attended and offered something for everyone - from funnel cake to fairy figurines.  Next year, I'm strapping on a fanny pack (mandatory Springfest accessory), putting my Mom and any other senior citizens who want to go in my car, and heading to the inlet a bit earlier in the day so that I can grab a parking space without circling all of downtown OC for an hour.  My daughter, Amanda, really seemed to enjoy the sights and smells of Springfest and even got to try some of her favorite cuisine - carnival fare.

Amanda loves Springfest and beautiful blown glass craft creations

We took a trip through the Trimper's boardwalk Haunted House and got a good view of the busy inlet from the haunted balcony.  

OC Springfest from the Haunted House balcony

Ahhhhh!!!! Springfest!!!

It was a great time at the beach last week.  I'm only sorry that I didn't have tickets to see Pat Benatar on Saturday night.  Although, I did have a deliciously perfect dinner at Liquid Assets instead (thanks to my generous daughter), so my perfect weekend did have a perfect ending.

I'm super excited for next week.  In honor of Memorial Day and the start of the summer season, you will be able to follow Suburban Mermaid on Facebook.  Stay tuned for more details and get your flip-flops ready!

Mothers Day Beach Weekend 5/8 - 5/10

You know that you want to take your Mom to the beach this weekend.  What better gift than spending a couple of days with the woman who raised you?  (OK - maybe just take her for a day trip or....perhaps you can just go alone and tell your Mom how great it was when you get home)



With or without your Mama, there's some pretty cool stuff happening in the DE/MD resort areas this weekend.  The weather is supposed to be cloudy, but no real chance of rain. 

Ocean City, MD is hosting its annual Springfest this weekend.  Looks like the Vince Gill and Pat Benatar concerts are sold out, but you can still enjoy some of the other bands scheduled to perform.  Or, check out the arts/crafts and food vendor tents that will be set up at the inlet.  Don't even think about trying to park near there.  Take the bus!

On Saturday, May 9, check out the free (free admission/free parking) Dewey Beach Arts Fest/Lions Club Community Day.  It runs from 9:30 - 4:30 on Dagsworthy Ave (bayside).  It's supposed to have an outdoor artists market (40 artists), live music, magicians, and - I hope I'm reading this right - free food from Dewey Beach restaurants and free Rita's Water Ice between 12:30 and 2:30.

I'm planning to head down Thursday night (can't wait!) and spend some more time sprucing up my beach house (this weekends chore = coating the patio with slip-proof paint).  I'm hoping to see at least one of my babies during the weekend but, if not, I'm sure I'll catch up with them when I'm back up North on Sunday night.  Sunday also happens to be my husband's 50th birthday (how the hell did he get so old?), so we both get to relax!

I'm hoping to find something cool for my own Mom when I visit Rehoboth Avenue on Friday afternoon.  She probably won't like anything that I pick out, but I really don't want to get her another outfit from Kohls.

Happy Mother's Day to all of you Mermaid Moms and, to everyone else, enjoy this beautiful week and weekend to come!