Sunsets & Ska

We have a finite number of sunsets that we will see in our lifetime.  Even though the sun sets every night, we usually miss the beauty of it due to weather, tall buildings, Jeopardy, or simply not looking toward the west.  This summer has given me some of the most beautiful evenings that I've ever experienced - all of which started with a gorgeous sunset.  Beach sunsets are extra breathtaking when the pink and purple sky is reflected on the water.  So, take a quick moment to check out the amazing color display that's there for us to view almost every evening.  It's one of the coolest things to do at the beach - or wherever an open sky is available.

One of the many beautiful sunsets of Summer 2015
over a canal in Caine Woods OCMD

This past weekend was filled with walks on the boards, to the beach, through the park, and in the neighborhood.  We had drinks on the deck at Hanna's, dinner by the sea at Mango's, Ska at sunset on the boardwalk in Bethany, and a refreshing dip in the ocean at 136th St. beach (that felt great!).  It was a beautiful weekend that I didn't want to end.

This Thursday (July 30) is the night I've been waiting for all summer.  Two of my favorite things in the world will converge on that evening - Ska and the beach - when English Beat performs at the Bottle and Cork in Dewey Beach.   The show starts at 9 PM and tix are $20.    Click here for tickets.

Also in Dewey Beach this weekend (Saturday 12-8 PM) is the Dewey Beach Scavenger Hunt.  This event sounds like it's part pub tour and part costume party.  You can sign up a team of 4-8 people and register via the link above.  

If you're in the mood for more ska, Dogfish Head Brew Pub is hosting The Toasters on Saturday night @ 10 PM.




The ocean in Ocean City, MD is clear, green, and warm.  It is, for sure, the most clean that I have ever seen it.  With water temps in the 70s and air temps in the 90s this week, you have every reason put a toe or two in the water.  Just watch for the strong rip currents that seem to be the norm now in our area.

I leave you with this little bit of cuteness provided by my Yorkshire Terrier, Rudy.  He likes to hide in the pillows on my couch and fall asleep.  In fact, that's pretty much all he does.  I guess you could say he woke up like this.  

Old dog by the sea

7/24 - 7/26 Beach Weekend

I can't believe that July is almost over already.  I feel like summer just started. In a few short weeks, peak vacation time will be over and kids will be going back to school.  The resort towns will become quiet again and fall will be on the way.  As much as I love sitting on the beach on a hot summer day, I have to say that I'm looking forward to the crisp, cooler days of fall in OCMD.

Until then, there is much to do at the beach.

On Saturday (7/25), there is a Seafood and Arts Festival at the Indian River Marina (which is a really cool place that I just discovered this month).  There will be art by local artists, live music, crafts, and seafood.  Admission is free and it runs from 10-6.

Indian River Seafood and Arts Festival

On Saturday night, you can catch the Bullbuckers twice.  First, they are playing on the Bethany Beach Bandstand (their web site says 6 PM, but Bethany's web site says 7:30 - I'm guessing it's probably closer to 6).  At 10 PM, they are playing at Dogfish Head Brew Pub in Rehoboth Beach.

Bullbuckers in Bethany 2014
Beautiful sky and ska

If you're in OCMD this weekend and you have kids to occupy, MAC (Maintaining Active Citizens) is having a Fun Day at Jolly Roger Amusement Park from 10-6.  Tickets are $25 and are available by advance order only.  Ticket price includes:  Unlimited Splash Mountain from 10-6, amusement rides from 2-6 (limit two rides on the roller coaster, excludes Speedworld and Extreme Zip Line); and unlimited golf at two courses from 10 - 6.  Sounds like a pretty good deal and it benefits the Richard A. Henson Wellness Center.

I leave you with this recipe for the most popular drink in OC, the Orange Crush.  Legend has it that it originated in West Ocean City at Harborside Bar and Grill.  Apparently, the key to a good crush is to use fresh oranges (not juice).  Bottoms up!

Orange Crush

1.5 oz Smirnoff Orange Twist  

1.5 oz triple sec

juice of one fresh orange

top with Sprite or other lemon-lime soda

Combine the orange juice, vodka, and Triple Sec in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Pour contents of shaker in to a glass.  Top off with lemon-lime soda.  Mix and garnish glass with orange slice.

Stay Outta The Sharks House!

With all of this talk about shark and Man-O-War sightings at the DE/MD beaches lately, you'd probably be smart to be aware of your surroundings when swimming in the ocean.  Here are some helpful summer safety tips from Veronica Pooh-Nash:

While at the inlet this past Saturday, I saw a stingray swim by.  It was heading from the ocean to the bay and my daughter and I thought that it was a two-finned shark (duh - shows what we know about sea creatures).  We asked a couple of people around us and they assured us that it was a stingray.  I hope they were right.

Stingrays swim here

We also saw a shark, but it was made out of sand.  It was part of the DE State Seashore Park Sand Castle Contest (sooo cute).  

Sand Shark

Other interesting things that I experienced this past weekend:

• Lap dancing at Harpoon Hanna's
• Late-R Night Improv Show at Clearspace Theatre in Rehoboth Beach 
• A fire in the marshy area at the base of the Indian River Inlet bridge 
• A Shooting star
• A murder confession (I think)

Oh...and this:

Frontier Town Covered Wagon and Horse

I probably won't be at the beach this weekend since I have some things to do up north.  I may sneak down Thursday night to mow the lawn and get my weekly fix of salty air - all depends on how much it rains in OC this week and whether or not the grass will be long enough to justify the trip.

If you're lucky enough to be at the DE or MD beaches this weekend, be sure to check out Surfer Blood at Dogfish Head on Friday night or The Mekons on Saturday night.

Enjoy and watch out for those two-finned sharks!!

7/10 - 7/12 Beach Weekend: Bulls, Billy Joel, Buckets & Big Band

I survived vacation and July 4th and I'm hoping that my beach house did too.  We left town around 11:30 PM on Saturday night so that we could beat all of the traffic that would be heading out of town on Sunday.  When I left, there were still drunken idiots launching fireworks on my street.  I was a bit nervous about leaving, but my nervous Yorkshire Terrier was pretty happy to take off.  

My beach vacation had a lot of laughs and good time spent with family.  The weather was nice for most of the week.  Like everyone else, we headed for the outlets in Rehoboth on the one really rainy day.  After a wet and crowded shopping trip, we went in to town and tried Otto's Sandwich Shop on First St. (and I'm really glad we did...yummmm.....).

Otto's Sandwich Shop in Rehoboth.  A little bit of Philly @ the beach.

Other highlights include:

• Sitting on the balcony at the Grotto Pizza in Bethany on a beautiful evening
• Sitting on the deck at Harpoon Hanna's in Fenwick for Tiki Bar Karaoke on a beautiful evening
• Sitting on the sand at Ropewalk in OC on a really beautiful evening
• People watching on the beach and boardwalk
• Papa Grandes Nachos
• Northside Park fireworks
• Art's Alive 
• Harris Teeter Pie Sale
• Construction Baby (My daughter-in-law's new "pretend friend")

This coming weekend will be pretty busy at the beach.  We're now in the peak vacation weeks, so I expect crowds and traffic.  Everyone needs to seriously slow down and be careful of pedestrians and cyclists.  Many of the people in the resort towns right now may not be familiar with the area and they're acting like they don't know what the hell they're doing. 

On Friday 7/10, there is a Billy Joel tribute band (guy) named Michael John performing at the Bethany Bandstand.  His show starts at 7:30.

Michael John's Billy Joel Tribute is coming to Bethany this weekend

On Saturday 7/11, start the day by stopping by the Delaware Seashore Sandcastle Contest at 9:30 (judging is at 2 PM) at the South Inlet Day Area.  Then, head to Dewey Beach for the 19th Annual Dewey Running of the Bull at Starboard.

Pretend you're in Pamplona and run with the "bull" in Dewey 

In Rehoboth Beach, the Delmarva Big Band is performing at the Rehoboth Bandstand at 8 PM.  At 10 PM Clear Space Theatre (20 Baltimore Ave, Rehoboth Beach) opens their first, late-night comedy improv, the "Late-R Night Show".

If you're in Ocean City, you can help support the Greek economy by attending the Greek Festival is at the Convention Center from 7/10 - 7/13. Admission is free and they will probably have really good foods that have "Vs" and "Ks" in their names.

I'm not sure what I'll be getting in to this weekend.  I really would like to see the sand castles on Saturday afternoon, but that depends on whether or not I'm going to feel like leaving the beach.  I'm trying to enjoy the crowds and not let the extra noise and traffic bother me..  It's sort of hard to believe that, before you know it, the beach towns will be quiet again and fall will be here.  Until then, y'all keep heading to the beach, drinking too much, and entertaining me!