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.