At the shooorrrrre...

I spent four days at the Shore... two in the Wildwoods and two in Ocean City, MD.

My earliest memories as a child are being in Wildwood in 1977. I've been going back every year for the past five years, either to stay or just drive through and enjoy the sounds of the surf, the cooling ocean breeze, or the excitement of the Boardwalk. Stewart's built a new restaurant at Magnolia Av... you can eat on the roof and look out over the humungous tract of beach. I'd say it's a good 3/8 mile walk from Boards to Shore.

We were on the Wildwood Boardwalk for most of Thursday. After spending the evening getting eaten by bugs in Rio Grande, and a subsequent trip to Shop Rite for bug spray, we played our 7th round of minigolf for the day... in West Wildwood. It's a neat little place. I think the only businesses in town are a few marina, a bait shop, and the minigolf course. There's one way in and one way out... Glenwood Avenue. Take a drive around the island and see how many homes you can't afford ;)

One part of Friday was spent finding one of my friend's lost cell phones. Despite not finding it, everyone was friendly among whom we asked, including the Wildwood Police Department. If you go to the Olympic Arcade at 24th & Boardwalk in North Wildwood, they still have Fascination, and still 20-cents a game. I finally won two games, after going 0-for-the year. It's $6 for an entire hour at 11AM and 4PM.

Next was a trip down to Sunset Beach. They built a minigolf there, plus have two nice souvenir shops and a snack bar. Obviously, it was crowded. We then drove around Cape May Point to look at more houses that we couldn't afford.

Even though our trip on the Cape May-Lewes Ferry wasn't until 8PM, we got to the boathouse a little after 6PM. They have a neat cafeteria and outdoor patio, and an awesome view of the horizon. As our boat departed, we sailed toward the sunset. The skies couldn't have been more beautiful. Pictures don't do it justice.

The trip itself is only 17 miles, but lasts about 75 minutes. If you aren't used to riding on a boat and feeling the swaying up and down, take dramamine. If you take either the early morning or 8PM trip, you save a few bucks, too.

We got to Ocean City, Maryland late Friday night. If you've never traveled into OC by way of Delaware Route 1, you better have good brakes. OC itself runs about 150 blocks north to south, and much of it is only two to three blocks wide. I swear there was a minigolf every 10 blocks... including two or three up in Fenwick Island, Delaware.

There is a boardwalk, about 30 blocks long, running from the inlet at the southern tip, up to around 25th. We stayed at the HoJo on 12th. I've always enjoyed rooms where you can open the patio door, and there's the shore. Such a breathtaking feeling... and kinda neat to look out your window and see the sign for the Bad Ass Cafe.

The best places to eat there are Dough Roller, Phillips, french fries from Thrashers, and popcorn from Fishers. No shortage of t-shirt places, either... Sunsations, T-Shirt Factory, etc.

My favorite minigolfs there were Lost Treasure on 141st and Viking Golf in Fenwick Island.

There are only three roads into town... Route 50, Route 90, and Delaware Route 1... all of which get crowded on the weekend. I was shocked when I had less than 10 red lights going south from 142nd to 8th.

We went to Ocean Downs racetrack in Ocean Pines on Saturday night... lost a few bucks but still had a good time.

Coming back through Delaware, I realize why some people used to call Lower Delaware "Slower Delaware"... there's hardly anything between OC & Dover.

Yes, I want to go back... but high school football starts Friday night. Can't wait.

Buckle up,
TS