Step Into Christmas

Sooooo....it's December.

There are really only two reasons to head to the beach this month:

1.  Escape
2.  Shopping

I like to combine the two.  That's what I plan to do every other weekend this month.

If you're escaping, you might as well make it fun.

You can tour the Ocean City MD Winterfest of Lights.  It runs every night at Northside Park from 5:30-9:30 PM (10:30 on Fri/Sat nights).  Admission is $5/person (adult).

If you're in Delaware, you can drive through the Winter Wonderfest at Cape Henlopen State Park.  Admission is $15/car (up to 7 passengers).  There is also a Christmas Village on the grounds of the Cape May/Lewes Ferry Terminal with no entry fee, but you can buy tickets for ice skating, rides, and other amusements.  There is also a fire pit and S'mores.  That sounds awesome.

Back in Ocean City, there are horse and carriage rides with Santa on the boardwalk every Saturday and Sunday in December.  Rides run from 10-4 and cost $10 person.

If you're heading to the beach to shop, you're most likely heading for one of the Tanger Outlet centers.  There are three in Rehoboth/Lewes and one center in West Ocean City.  Extended shopping hours for the holidays (12/1/16 - 12/23/16)  are as follows:

Monday - Thursday 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Friday - Saturday 9:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Sunday 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM

My advice:  go early or go late.  Any time in between is a clusterfuck of cars and people.

For a more enjoyable shopping experience, I highly recommend strolling down Rehoboth Avenue.  You may not find the Michael Kors bag you're looking for, but once you sit down for a couple of beers at Purple Parrot, you really won't care.

It's not too early to start thinking about New Years Eve.  Along with tons of hotel and restaurant deals (too many to mention), Ocean City is, once again, going to have a fireworks display in Northside Park.  The sparks fly at midnight and you can ride the tram and listen to DJ music until then.

Whatever your reason for heading to the beach, I hope you have fun.  Take some time to walk on the sand and enjoy the quiet crispness of early winter.  

Happy Holidays to All!  See you in 2017.

Be Thankful For What You've Got

The next few weeks at the beach are among my favorites of the year. 

Since it's not yet freezing, you can enjoy a long walk wearing a few layers and be cozy and comfortable.  If the sun is shining, you may even be able to go without a jacket.  

The towns are pretty dead right now.  Crowds are gone and, except for sunny Saturday afternoons on Rehoboth Avenue, you should be able to find good parking and tables at popular restaurants with no problem at all.

I'll be staying in Wilmington this weekend, but heading back down on November 18th to participate in the "Dashing Through The Show" 5K at Cape Henlopen State Park.  This event benefits the Festival of Cheer Fund.  I'm super excited for this because it gives me the chance to be among the first guests of the Winter Wonderfest, a new exhibit of holiday lights and a Christmas Village that benefits local non-profits.

Speaking of holiday lights, Ocean City's Winterfest of Lights will begin on November 17 and run each evening through 1/1/17.

I've already started my holiday shopping, but I may consider stopping at the outlets next weekend to do some more.  Here is a link to some deals at the Tanger Outlets in Rehoboth Beach.  Click on it for coupons, sales, and offers.  All of the Rehoboth outlets are undergoing renovation right now, but it seems that they are all open for business.

I hope everyone has a fun and relaxing Thanksgiving holiday.  I'll be back in later this month!

Vote For Peace (and Quiet)

If you live in the Wilmington/Philadelphia area, I'm quite sure that you're sick and tired of watching political ads on TV.  

Hillary Clinton vs. Donald Trump
Katie McGinty vs. Pat Toomey
Steve Santarsiero vs. Brian Fitzpatrick
Josh Shapiro vs. John Rafferty 

It is constant.  It is annoying.  And it's only going to get worse.

If you want a much-needed break from the election battle, head to the beach.

Apparently, the Delmarva viewing area is not a heavily sought after market when it comes to political advertising.  

Other than a couple of Clinton and Trump ads, I didn't see any other TV ad mud-slinging when I was in town last weekend.

Let's be honest - we all know that Delaware and Maryland are going to vote for Clinton.  Sussex County (DE) and Worcester County (MD) residents are doing their best by putting Trump signs in their yards and Trump bumper stickers on their Ford F150s, but we all know that they can't stop their heavily populated cities of Wilmington and Baltimore from voting for Clinton.

Pennsylvania is still up in the air and I guess that's why the TV ads are so crazy in that region.  I mean, like...really crazy!

Why not head South where it's a bit more quiet?  

If you're in the area on Saturday 11/5, Burley Oak Brewery in Berlin, MD is offering a free tour at 3 PM.  

Later that night, cover band and VH1 Battle of the Bands winner, Jumper, will be playing at Fagers Island.  Showtime at 9:30 PM.

In Delaware, you could check out the season closing party on Saturday night at the Rusty Rudder w/The Loop or view some of the films on the schedule for the Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival (the theme for the festival this year is "tranquility", which we all really need right now!).

Whatever happens on Tuesday, we should all try to be more tolerant of those who have views that oppose our own.  I'm sure that I'm not alone when I say that I hope that our new leader will guide the country in a direction that all will want to follow and in a manner in which we can all be proud.

Namaste, bitches.

Halloween @ The Beach: Week #2

In my opinion, this is the most wonderful time of the year.

Whether I'm in Wilmington or Ocean City, I am in love with Fall and all that it brings to the mid-Atlantic region.

It also means that it's time (once again) for...

BASIC BITCH WEEKEND!

Awww yeah.

Packing up my yoga pants
and a cardigan or two
Heading south to the beach towns
with my crew

Watching pumpkins with wheels 
in the OC hood
Eating Kilwins candy apples
cause they taste good

We the real Sea Witches
And that's no lie
I aint got warts,
but I have a bloody eye (I really do - not sure what happened :\)

We might drink wine
We might drink beer
We might have a great time
'Cause no boyz will be here

The sun will shine
The moon will be lit
Happy Halloween to all
It's Fall and shit.


Ok.  Not my best poem, but I'm still super excited for this weekend.

Here's the Basic Bitch Itinerary:

Friday Evening
3:00ish- 5:00ish PM  Drive to OC w/my girlz 
6:00 PM - ?  Chillin' and snackin'

Saturday 
10:00 AM  Wags, Witches, & Warlocks Halloween Festival in Bethany Beach.  This event benefits the Delaware SPCA ($5 donation suggested) and starts with a parade at 10 AM down Garfield Parkway.  There will be a costume contest for people and pets, kids activities, and a DJ.  

1:00 PM  O.C.Toberfest Great Pumpkin Race on the OCMD boardwalk.  Once again, people will be racing their crazy, funny wheeled pumpkins down the ramp with the help of a play-by-play announcer and compete for prizes in several divisions.

2:30 PM  Sea Witch Festival in Rehoboth Beach.  This event actually starts at 10 AM with a costume parade, but we like to go after they re-open Rehoboth Avenue (well.. part of it) to traffic.  There is so much going on in Rehoboth during this event, which actually lasts all weekend.  Click on the link and find the program download for all of the info.

5:30 PM  Dinner in Rehoboth Beach.  Somewhere yummy.

7:30 PM  Back to OC for wine, candy apples and/or fudge, SNL, and watching my daughter fall asleep on my couch (love her!).

Sunday
Maybe a stop at an outlet or two on our way back to Wilmington.  Got that 25% off coupon for Tangers.

Happy Halloween to all.  Here's wishing you a weekend of good weather, good parking spaces, and full-size (not fun-size) candy bars!

Halloween @ The Beach: Week 1

Here's a quick summary of my vacation at the beach last week:

• Yard work while dodging really, really big spider
• The remnants of Hurricane Matthew
• Rehoboth Ave in the rain
• Sunday Brunch on the beach
• TJ Maxx, Gap, and Old Navy for some new fall attire
• Long walks on the beach
• Long walks to the park
• Long walks on all of the boardwalks
• Got my ass kicked in Mini Golf
• Salisbury, MD Zoo
• The Hobbit Restaurant at sunset
• Rehoboth Beach Historical Society museum
• Delicious crabcakes

This guy pretty much sums up how I felt after
playing mini-golf.  Damn I suck.

Sunset from the Hobbit Restaurant.  Pretty freakin' cool.

Heeeeeyyyyy

Colorful Flamingo at the Salisbury Zoo - one of a few
remaining animals

I will be back in Ocean City this weekend (10/21 - 10/23) to take part in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5K on the boardwalk on Saturday 10/22.  I've never particpated in a 5K before and I'm really looking forward to it.  My husband is walking with me (he gets a discount on his health insurance for participating in a 5K), so I'm sure we'll have fun.  

After our walk, we'll probably hang out on the OC boardwalk to check out all of the Halloween things that are happening that day.  There is the Howl-O-Ween Pet Parade and Costume Contest, the Drive-In Disguise Car Parade, Big Toys on the Boardwalk (which is pretty much OCMD municipal vehicles that they put on the boards and let people climb in and take photos), and the Halloween Beach Maze.

The weekend weather forecast for this weekend looks promising and perfect for board-walkin'.

Fall is here!  Yay!

Ended Summer Cruisin'

Looks like Hurricane Matthew will not be visiting the Delaware or Maryland beaches this weekend.

That means that Endless Summer Cruisin' in OC will be happening as scheduled and all of the crazy fun middle-aged (and way past middle-aged) people who attend that will be in town.

We're expecting some rain on Saturday, but that doesn't usually stop the crowds from coming.  There is a ton of stuff planned, but the Jana Kramer concert that was scheduled for Saturday has been canceled due to the fact that she hasn't been voted off of Dancing With The Stars yet.  Click here for all of the info.

I will be staying in OC all week for vacation.  In the past, we have been lucky enough to have warm and sunny weather and have enjoyed sitting on the sand for at least a couple of days during our stay.  Not sure if that's going to happen this year.  Even though we're not getting hit with a hurricane, the weather predictions are cold and cloudy.  Guess I'll have to take some jeans and sweatshirts this year.

We have no planned activities this week.  We have nothing that we have to do.  It should be a good chance to relax and catch up on some TV and reading.

If I'm feeling bored, I could work on re-inventing the flower bed in my front yard, but I'm half tempted to wait until next Spring and work on all of the beds at the same time.

There were a couple of places I would have loved to explored, but my travel buddy wasn't too thrilled with my destinations.

It's all good.  I'll find other ways to entertain myself.  Or, maybe I'll go exploring on my own!

Either way - I'm sure it will be nice to chill at the beach for a week.

Sending good thoughts to those on the coast of Florida and the southern states this week.  Hope everyone is staying safe.

The More You Know

It's sort of a "slow news week" in the DE/MD resort towns this weekend.  Therefore, I'm filling this space with some area trivia that is somewhat interesting, but not very useful:

• Lewes, DE was once called Whorekill, DE.

• Sussex Country was once named Deale County.

• Dewey Beach was once called Rehoboth City.

• The population of Dewey Beach is only 300, but grows to over 30,000 during the summer season.

• The first "gay friendly" bar in Rehoboth Beach was the Pink Pony.  It opened in 1950 when, at the time, it was illegal to walk around with drinks in your hand.  You could only sit at the bar and speak with the people on either side of you.

The Pink Pony in Rehoboth Beach was destroyed by the great 1962 storm

• There are more than 9,500 hotel rooms and 21,000 condos in Ocean City, MD.

• All of the trash from those rooms and condos (including recyclables) is incinerated at a waste facility in Pennsylvania in order to generate electricity.

• The carousel at Trimpers Amusements in OC is the oldest continuously operating carousel in the United States.  It was installed in 1912.

Sort of Old Timey kids on Trimper's Carousel

• Salvagers known as "moon spinners" used to build bonfires on the beaches between Indian River Inlet and Ocean City to make ships think that they were another ship in distress.  When these ships ran aground, the salvagers would kill and kidnap the passengers and plunder their cargo.

• The Horseshoe Crabs that are so plentiful along the Delaware coast can survive up to one year without eating.

• It's against the law to trick-or-treat in Rehoboth Beach on a Sunday.

• The lighthouse in Fenwick Island cost only $5 to build in 1880.

Fenwick Lighthouse - $5 Worth of Safety

There are a few fun things going on in the resort towns this weekend.  

In Rehoboth, Delaware SPCA is having their 6th Annual Bark on the Boards Dog Walk.  Registration begins at 10:30 AM and the walk starts at noon.  You can also dress up your pup to enter the Most Patriotic Dog Contest.

At 11 AM on Sunday 10/2, The Rusty Rudder in Dewey Beach is holding the 14th Annual Celebrity Chef Beach Brunch.  Tickets are $75/person and proceeds benefit Meals on Wheels of Delaware.  The event features live and silent auctions, top beach area chefs, live music, beverage purveyors, craft beer garden and more.

I'm sort of excited for fall at the beach this year.  Next week, I'll be on vacation and will be able to take my time checking out all of the things I tell other people to do!

Happy Fall to all!  

Get Yer Motor Runnin'

Note to self:  Don't plan to be at the beach house during Bike Week.  You hate it.  There are bikes everywhere and they go so....damn.....slow.  Maybe because all of the bikers are 60+.

Born to be Mild

Maybe it would have been better to head down to OC this weekend for Sunfest 2016.   I could have stopped by the inlet to see Chubby Checker, Eddie Money w/special guest, Sir Rod or Chris Janson (whoever that is).  As always, there will be arts/crafts, food vendors, and hayrides.  The event starts on Thursday 9/22 and runs through Sunday 9/25.  Perhaps the old bikers will want to head back to OC to see Eddie Money and Chubby Checker this weekend (?)

Also happening in OC this weekend:

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Out of the Darkness Walk
Walk Date: 09/24/2016
Walk Location: Caroline Street and the Boardwalk
Check-in/Registration Time: 09/24/2016 at 9:00 am

Online registration closes at noon this Friday. However, anyone who would like to participate can register in person at the walk from the time check-in begins until the walk starts. Walk donations are accepted until December 31st..

Treasure Hunt at the Beach - Saturday 4PM - 5PM and Sunday 1PM - 2PM.  This event, sponsored by Park Place Jewelers is free to enter with a $15 donation to the Believe in Tomorrow Childrens Foundation.  You can dig for treasure in the sand on the beach at 3rd St.  Prizes include jewelry, diamonds, gemstones, and gift certificates.  Must be 18 years or older.

I'll be staying up North this weekend to take care of real life.  If you go, enjoy!

Goin' back home to the Mid-Atlantic Coast

I'm back at home in Wilmington after an extra long and extra lovely weekend in New England.

Boston was everything that everyone promised me it would be.  Great people, great buildings, great food, and great shopping.  I was really impressed and I'm ready to go back!  My daughter and I spent less than 24 hours in the city touring all of the tourist spots, but it was enough to whet my appetite and leave me hungry for the rest of the city.

Evening on the Charles River in Boston

On Friday morning, we drove to Portland, ME to meet our friend for brunch.  From there, we spent the next two days touring mid-coast Maine and Acadia National Park.

I won't say that I loved the coast of Maine more than I love my DE/MD beaches.  I will say that they are both very different and lovely in their own ways. 

Maine's coast is rocky with very few "sand" beaches.  

Maine has no condos, housing developments, or trailer park communities

Maine people are very nice (not that we're not - it's just that....well....)

There are very few Mercedes Benz cars in Maine

There are no airplanes flying over the Maine coast

There really is lobster everywhere in Maine

Maine does not have billboards.  It is one of three states in the US that does not.

There are quite a few tattoos in Maine.  Also man-buns and ear gauges.

Maine is breathtakingly beautiful and I'm so glad that I went to visit

Adorable Camden, ME

Just as we have our Rehoboth Avenue or Main Street in Berlin, Maine has adorable little shopping districts in almost every coastal town.  From Bar Harbor to Belfast, each town offers a unique selection of local artisan goods and non-tacky souvenirs.

Pemaquid Point Lighthouse.  Lives have been lost - for real.

At sunset, locals flock to places like lighthouses and mountain tops to get a view of the pastel skies and say good-bye to the day.  Much like our bay views from Northside Park or Indian River, these colorful sights are well worth the walk, drive, or climb.

My lunch spot on Saturday.  Near Acadia Nat. Park

I will never be able to correctly express the beauty that I saw in this region.  It gave me a new appreciation for nature, humankind, and life itself.  It was, without a doubt, one of the most awe-inspiring adventures of my life.

I'm heading back to Ocean City, MD this weekend with a renewed appreciation for soft sand and no poison ivy!  Even with it's noise and commercialism, we have some really beautiful beaches down here.

Speaking of noise...

It's Bikefest weekend in OCMD (9/15 - 9/18).  3 Doors Down is playing at the inlet along with Styx, Candlebox, and Slaughter.  Check out the website for complete schedule and ticket details.

For a more quiet event, you could check out the End of Season party on the beach at Dagsworthy Street in Dewey Beach, DE.  This event is sponsored by the Dewey Beach Business Partnership and features music, bonfire, kids juggling shows, cash bar and food at reduced prices from local restaurants.

I'm not sure where I'm going to end up this weekend, but I do know that part of my weekend plans will include a nap.  

Looking forward to exploring more US coasts, but I'm really glad to be home and close to "my ocean".

I'm Shipping Up To Boston

"You cannot discover new oceans unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore."  - André Gide

Pemaquid Point Lighthouse

The above quote has been my mantra for the past twenty years.  I think, at one time, I even printed it out and taped it to my dashboard.

Whenever I feel stuck or afraid, I repeat this quote to myself and I instantly feel calmer and more confident.

This week, I will be discovering new oceans with my daughter, Amanda.

Well... same ocean, but different shores.

On Thursday, I will be heading to Boston, MA for a quick tour of the city and an overnight at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel.

Friday morning, we are heading to Belfast, ME, where we will be spending a long weekend with my daughter's friend, Kate.

Kate has created a jam-packed itinerary for the weekend that includes the following adventures:

Brunch at the Bayside American Cafe (Portland, ME)
Reid State Park Beach (Georgetown, ME)
Oxbow Brewery (Newcastle, ME)
Pemaquid Point Lighthouse (Pemaquid, ME)
Acadia National Park (Bar Harbor, ME)
Moonbat Bakery (Belfast, ME)
Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse (Rockland, ME)
Bald Rock Mountain (Lincolnville, ME)

Like me and my daughter, Kate is a "doer" and a "planner" (must have something to do with the fact that we're all oldest children).  I am so thrilled to have her as our guide.  I know that she will show us all of the wonderful stuff that we can fit in to our short visit.

Since I've only ever been to beaches from Delaware to Florida and The Bahamas, I have only ever seen flat and sandy coasts.  I am most looking forward to seeing  the rocky shores and mountain coastline of Maine.  I am also curious to experience the late-summer landscape, which I'm sure will be at it's most lush and green this time of the year.

Perhaps I'll even dip a toe (or two) in to the Maine ocean.  Brrrrr!

I'm super excited to be exploring a part of the country that I've always wanted to see.  I will take a bunch of photos and post them here when I return.

**********    CRABCAKE UPDATE    ***********

I finally tried Crabcake Factory on 120th St. in OCMD.  The crabcakes there are HUGE!  I got a platter (beach fries and slaw) for a whopping $20, but it kept me fed for a few days.  The portion sizes are extremely generous and, I must say, this cake ranks in my top five.

Crabcake from Crabcake Factory in OCMD

Hope you all take time to enjoy the mid-Atlantic beaches while I'm gone.  If you're in Rehoboth Beach, be sure to check out the sandcastle building contest in front of Funland on Saturday, 9/10 (judging is at 3 PM).

See ya' when I'm back from my wicked-good adventure!

Cool For The Summer

I really can't believe that we have reached the end of the Summer season.  Labor Day is this coming Monday and I am working on my list of things that I haven't done yet this summer.  I have yet to eat an ice cream cone while walking on the boardwalk and I didn't swim in the ocean at all (well...not above my kneecaps). 

Although I will be visiting the beach long after the crowds disappear, that water is going to start getting really cold pretty soon.  

I only have another week or two to make up for my laziness and experience all of the things that I won't be able to do for the next 9 or 10 months.

Since it will be a long weekend and I am off work on Monday, I plan to check out Sundaes in the Park at Northside Park in OCMD on Sunday night (9/4).  From 7-9 PM, there will be live music by The Janitors, ice cream sundaes, and a fireworks show.

After the fireworks end, I may hurry up to the boardwalk for the last OC Beach Lights show.  There are showings at 9:30, 10, and 10:30 PM.  I know it's a bit tacky, but I love seeing how excited some people get while watching it.  Maybe I can eat my ice cream cone while I'm there!

On Monday 9/5, everyone can mourn the end of Summer 2016 at the Jazz Funeral in Bethany Beach.  This is something I've always wanted to see.  Maybe I'll hang around town until late that night so that I can check it out.

I'm hoping for cooler temps and no rain this weekend.  I've been trying to be consistent with my 10,000 steps per day.  That goal has allowed me to experience a closer view of my neighborhood at the beach, which I now love even more.  It has given me a better view of the stars (even shooting ones!), beautiful bay sunsets, and still-warm sand under a dark sky.

I'll be hanging with my family in OCMD and enjoying lots of love and laughter as we try to squeeze every last glorious second of summer in to a weekend.  

I leave you with a melancholy poem as we transition in to what is sure to be another beautiful Fall season at the beach: 

So here's an end of roaming

  On eves when autumn nighs:

The ear too fondly listens

  For summer's parting sighs,

  And then the heart replies.

                                       - AE Housman

I found this cool Tervis Tumbler at Fenwick Float-ors.  Fall is coming!!

Gotta Catch 'Em All

It was getting dark as I entered Northside Park on Wednesday evening.  Heat lightening was  flashing across the bay and I knew that I must complete my 10,000 steps before the big storm that was predicted for that evening came my way.

I expected that I would be alone and be able to walk a brisk pace to finish quickly.  When I approached the closed snack bar, there were a few dudes standing there looking at their phones.  As I walked a bit further toward the bay, a group of teens were walking toward me and they were searching for something...with their phones up in the air.  

A year ago, I would have thought that these were a bunch of creepy people and that they were going to rob me, rape me, then throw me in the bay.  Today, I know that Northside Park is a Pokemon Gym (a.k.a a place where people who can't get dates go to strengthen their Pokemon or battle other "trainers").

If you are a seeker of Pokemon, OCMD is chock full of them (apparently).  Even the official city web site tells you where in the city that you can catch the rare and prized digital creatures.

Check it out here

It's cool that people are hanging out in the park and getting exercise and stuff, but it is a little annoying when people are trying to catch Pokemon while driving.  Seriously people.  If you can't be cool, be safe.


This coming weekend (8/25-8/28) is Jeep Week in Ocean City.  So... that's cool.

I'll be heading down again to enjoy the good weather (hopefully) and hang w/my daughter and her homies.

Looking forward to an awesome rest of the summer and an even better fall season.  Peace y'all!

Beach Vacation "Must Do" List

If you're only going to be in the DE/MD resort areas for a week, you want to make the most of your short time there.

There are a few things that you must try so that you can truly say that you've experienced the best that this region has to offer.  This list is my take on what is awesome about the DE/MD beaches:

1.  Fractured Prune Doughnuts
With locations from Rehoboth to OCMD, you can start your day with a dozen or so of these deep-fried, amazing, circles of goodness.

2.  Driving over the Indian River Inlet Bridge
You need to drive over this during the day to see the ocean on one side and the bay on the other.  Drive over it again at night to see the cool, blue way that it's lit up.

3.  Tanger Outlet Shopping
There are three Tanger locations in Rehoboth Beach and one in Ocean City.  Try to pick a time to go that isn't on a weekend or when it's raining.  This is some serious shopping. 

4.  Walk down Rehoboth Avenue (and surrounding streets)
So many unique stores and restaurants.  Parking is sometimes tough to find, but keep circling and a space will open.

5.  Sunset over the bay
Any spot will do, but some are nicer than others.  Ropewalk in OCMD (82nd St.) offers a great view, but the best I've seen is from the pier on Northside Park (OCMD).

6.  Thrasher's French Fries
I don't think I'd ever stand in line for these (many people do), but they are pretty good.  Salt and malt vinegar are the only way to top these.  Don't ask for ketchup - it's not available.

7.  Ocean City Boardwalk
Even if you don't have kids, this is the best free entertainment you're going to find anywhere.  Just sitting on a bench and people watching for an hour is sure to be interesting.

8.  Mini Golf
You don't need kids for this either.  In fact, kids go too slow and really kind of suck at this (c'mon let's be honest).  Nothing wrong with a little friendly competition.  Find one with lots of water features to make you feel cool.

9.  Berlin, MD
This little town was once named "America's Coolest Small Town" by Budget Travel.  I wouldn't say that it's "cool",  but there are some nice shops, restaurants, and people.  It's not far from Ocean City and it's a nice little excursion if you don't feel like sitting on the beach.

Downtown Berlin, MD

10.  The Ocean
That's why you're here, right?  Don't forget to visit it, plop a chair in front of it, worship it, and maybe even stand in front of it at night and look up at the stars and gaze in amazement at the beauty and enormity of it all.