A Day at the Beach
Sorry that I haven’t posted in a few days, but I got a surprise from my husband and have been here-
For a mini vacation to celebrate my birthday. This seaside town is very special to me, I have been to many more famous, exotic, and prettier beaches, but Ocean City, NJ will always be the happiest place on earth. Since I was a child my parents rented a beach house here every August.
Lazy days spent on the beach while making new friends and playing in the water all day. Chilly nights outfitted in sweatshirts for carefree strolls on the boardwalk.
Between my Freshman and Sophomore year in college, I worked as a waitress at a restaurant that used to be on the boardwalk. I was 19 and the drinking age in ‘New Jersey back then was 18. It was the best summer of my single life. I am sure that you have such a place you hold close to your heart – one that holds the fondest of memories. Ocean City, NJ will always be mine.
” Cause down the shore, everything will be alright” – Bruce Springsteen
We arrived on Tuesday night and decided to eat at a bay side restaurant called, The Inlet. This is a fairly new restaurant. I like it as it has lots of outside seating. We came by car, but I think it would be fun to come by boat, dock it and then come in for dinner. We then stayed at a friend’s beach house overnight.
Going “down the shore” means two things – one is for “the food”. This salad was the healthiest thing I ate during our trip.
The other and best thing is for the – nice, big, clean, wide, and sandy beaches.
A day in OC for me always starts with a bike ride to have breakfast at Browns. It is right on the boardwalk over looking the beach. The food is good, as all food eaten in the ocean air tastes better for some reason. The reason people flock to Browns however, is not for their eggs or pancakes, but for their-
WARM, Crispy on the outside, fresh from the fryer, DONUTS!!! YUMMM
The line every morning is at least 15 minutes or longer, but so worth the wait and the gazillion calories you are about to consume. My favorite is the Cinnamon Sugar. You have to eat them while they are hot – saving them for later is not an option.
After eating I wanted to go check out my favorite beach house. I like this house for its architecture, the porches, its old-fashioned feel, but…
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this house…
All the other houses that line the beaches here are all in a line and only get a one sided- frontal view of the beach and water. Corner lots get a 90 degree view. This home survived a hurricane in the 50’s or 60’s. They never rebuilt homes out that far after that. I like it’s loneliness. It used to be green and white, but it has had a makeover or two over the years. There is a wall built around it now – for protection, but when I was a kid there were no dunes, just flat beach right up to the bulkhead. I remember playing right where the planter is in the the photo, as there used to be a foundation left from another house or I remember people saying it was a hotel. It was like playing on ruins. If the tide was high, you could ride on your raft right up to the house and the ruins next to it.
Street side view… Ahhh, Someday – I can only dream.
After seeing the house we went to the beach and I planted myself right along the water’s edge with my beach chair, Dan Brown’s, The Last Symbol, shades, hat, and lots of sunscreen. Bliss.
I put my tootsies in the water, but that was all as the water temp was a lovely 68 degrees. Brrrrr
Breathing in all the wonderful ocean air makes you hungry, so we went to have a slice or two or three of the best pizza ever, Mack and Manco. Also famous for all the cute guys dressed in all white that they hire to make the pizza and serve you.
I prefer plain with lots of oregano and an ice cold Birch Beer. If you have ever had this pizza, I know you are smiling now.
Then we headed back to the beach for some more great views-
Water views that is.
I think I mentioned food, ocean air making you hungry. We had an afternoon snack of some Carmel popcorn.
Served warm, fresh, and piled high.
The day went way too quickly. We stayed on the beach till 6:00 and watched it empty out – lifeguards gone. I love the late afternoon on the beach the best. It is not crowded and the sunlight isn’t quite so strong – everything is more peaceful and serene. I didn’t want to leave :(
We walked up on the boardwalk for a while
as we could not go home without a few handful’s of Shriver’s Salt Water Taffy.
As we left the island, we stopped once again to have dinner at the Inlet on the bay as we had done the night before for some lobster and New Jersey white corn. Then back to the real world – no more days at the beach. Back to work , but with some pleasant memories to add to the ones I have already have of the happiest place on earth.
