Ocean City, Maryland (and more): Part 1

I just got home from vacation and had the best time.  Not only did I get to spend some quality time with my beloved and the ocean, there were so many great experiences along the way.  Hubby and I decided to visit Ocean City, Maryland - a not-too-long road trip to reach the Atlantic and relax.  Once the hotel was booked and I started planning the route I realized that we would be traveling very near to Wilmington, Delaware.  I spent a couple years there as a child but had never returned.  It was just too close to miss the opportunity to go back in time...but first:

We crossed the border into New York State and within minutes hit our first Jo-Ann's.  I had a good list going and a flyer with coupons.  I picked up the following goodies:

1. Wonder Under fusible web...because I will be doing more applique!
2. The Kwik Klip...because I plan on pin basting and I want my grapefruit spoon back in the kitchen!
3. A F&P water soluble graphite pencil set because you can never have too many marking options!
4. A cool needle threader set (because I can't see anything any more!)
5. A couple yards of fusible fleece because (see #1. above) for Amanda's class!
6. New Quilting Quickly magazine (a holiday indulgence)
7. A new Snap Ware container because I love them!
8. A packaged king size Warm & Natural batting for my DWR quilt (because the rolls I have are not wide enough).

I was very happy to get all on my list and on the first day - didn't have to worry about that any more!

Later in the day, as we approached Wilmington, it was so exciting to be returning almost(?)/more than(?) forty years later.  I was only in Grades 2&3 while we lived there so I don't remember much.  We stopped for lunch at the Charcoal Pit, (on the recommendation of my sister - who was much older and had many more connections to the city), and loved it.  Like stepping into a time warp, the 1950s are alive and well at the 'Pit'!  We had thick malted shakes, onion rings, a Philly steak sandwich, and hubby had ribs.  It was really fun!

 

Next, darling hubby indulged my scrapbooking desires and drove me to the house we used to live in. As a memento hoarder, I was able to easily (albeit moth-ball-y) retrieve the community listing of everyone who lived in the neighbourhood and find my address. The house was still as it was (on the exterior) but of course, the trees were huge and shady 40 years later! As I was taking some photos the current owners drove up. I am bold and went to chat. They are an elderly couple who have lived there 24 years and I showed them the old photos from when the house was newly built (3 years old). I brought my scrapbook pages with me, thinking I might try to re-create some of the poses. I pointed out where I split my chin open on the sidewalk (and had to get my first stitches) and how the kitchen looked in 1973. It was a weird and wonderful visit and made me sad in a way, missing my (late) father and fondly remembering childhood years (split chin excepted).

After reminiscing was done we started off to Ocean City.  As you approach the inlet it's a wonder that the land can support all the buildings when it looks like it will just sink into the water it sits on.  The beach is endless and beautiful and the city offers a playground of activities, from the amazing boardwalk to amusement parks and arcades, mini-golf, lots o' food, cycling, water sports, or just a hammock in the sun. We do not usually do much unwinding when we vacation - always go, go, going, so it was quite a change to simply enjoy the pool, walk the ocean, listen to the waves while we ate leisurely meals on the balcony, or read!  I did indeed pick up Shopping, Seduction, and Mr. Selfridge at the library and I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about the life of this department store pioneer.

We sampled lots of boardwalk fare, from Thrasher's fries to the best caramel apple I ever had from Dolle's (check out Dolles.com).  They also happen to make the BEST salt water taffy I've ever tasted.  We shared a corn dog, fried chicken, and orange swirl cone from Dumser's.  There wasn't any room left for cotton candy, funnel cakes, turkey legs, or caramel popcorn!

Dinners were ribs from J.R.'s, wood-oven pizza from A Touch of Italy (who had amazing pastries as well), and wonderful deli selections from Rosenfeld's (pastrami on rye, latkes, knishes, pickles from a barrel, apple cake) including the most amazing Babka ever!

We attempted to rent segways but it was raining and we were not allowed on the boardwalk.  We didn't fancy parasailing either so we drove to see the wild ponies on Assateague Island and tried a few slots at the Casino at Ocean Downs (we are not much for that and left with money in our pockets!).

It was a lovely, relaxing getaway and a couple more days might have been nice.  However, I was SO excited for a very special detour on our return trip.  I cannot wait to share where we went and who I met!  Come back tomorrow for Part 2!