OUR LIFE IN 3D

Ocean City ~ Another Trip to the Boards

So this past Winter we asked our girls where they would like to go for our summer vacation, Disney World or Ocean City, New Jersey they both answered without hesitation, “Ocean City, New Jersey!”

So here is another picture blog (sort of) of our trip this month, back to my favorite destination as a kid.

We left for OCNJ the week after school let out for summer. And while it was plenty hot where we live, 10 hours to our North they were still trying to unwrap summer. Actually, the kids were still in school at this time.

Day 1

Eat Breakfast at Browns Donuts.

We always rent bikes in OCNJ and take a trip down the boardwalk in the morning. Browns is conveniently located at the one end of the Boards, so we start our daily bike ride from there.

This is one of two places we visited once a day (at least) on vacation. They are soooo good!

We go to Texas Roadhouse about every other week where we live. Every time we go there the young hostess asks if we had been to Texas Roadhouse before?

We walked in Browns donuts and got a big hug from the staff, which we had not seen in close to two years.

Something you might not be surprised to see then in America’s Greatest Family Resort is the playing of the Star Spangled Banner at 9am every day on the boardwalk as they raise our flag on the Boards.

Yes 9am, not too early…..cause we are on vacation.

In Ocean City, NJ a seagull flies through the scene as they sing, “God bless the USA” at around the first minute into the video. Not and eagle or jets that you see other places  🙂

It is the coast after all.

So every morning bike ride one of the things we try to decide is ‘where are we going to play miniature golf today?’

The Ocean City boardwalk has no shortage of kid courses.

Our first day on the Boards we opted for Medieval Golf, a.k.a., ‘the place with the dragon‘.

Next in the OCNJ routine is back to the beach house, quaintly known as 4 Beach Road this year, conveniently located to Browns and a beach grill, to freshen up and head to the beach.

Now one of the heroines in this story, Dylan, is at an age where she does not like the beach so much; it’s too dirty.

But Skye loves it! So off we went!

So working on the reputation of ‘the world’s greatest daddy’ (Fathers Day was right around the corner) I dug a wall around the out-flowing water of the retreating tides to create a warm pool for Skye to play in.

This was some work as you had to stay busy and a lot of fun!

Speaking of the beach grill, here is a shot from there where Mom and I enjoyed some local ‘Philly Cheese steaks, while Dylan and Aunt Sue practiced volley ball.

Take a look in front of us.

Parents, how many of you have kids that like to lay face and belly down in the sand and just get coated top to bottom?

Life’s a beach!

We showered up afterwards and headed over to the appropriately vacation themed ‘Island Grill Seafood House for dinner. This is another place we talked about all spring as we planned our vacation.

Then back to the boardwalk for the last two destinations we dreamed of all spring,

Amusement park rides on the Wonderland Amusement pier ….

…and Kohrs Brothers Frozen Custard!!!

This frozen soft custard ice cream goodness really can’t be over stated. And by the end of the week Dylan had her favorite Kohrs Brothers stand with her favorite staff.

Can you imagine any finer destination for a kid then, donuts, bikes, beach, putt-putt, amusement rides and soft ice cream all in one day?

And why this beats Disney World every time?

Day 2

Browns….

Bike ride to decide on the  mini golf course to play.

Tuesday’s winner was the unforgettable favorite Seaport Village.

This has always been a family favorite after that unforgettable experience Skylar had years ago on her first encounter with putt-putt on the boards…and sharks!

Then it was back to the beach….

…. then Castaway Cove Amusement Rides….

…and more Kohrs Bros.

Notice the proper order…..

rides then ice cream and not the other way around.

Day 3

Browns donuts

Boardwalk, bikes, mini golf…..

Today was the much awaited (and argued about), the legendary Congo Golf.

Argued about you say?

Well trying to get two kids to agree on which course to play!

Yes, dad took all the arguing in stride as they play Jimmy Buffett throughout the course..inside

Then back to the beach…

Today the post-card team of lifeguards actually came to life!

A family of swimmers drifted out past the breakers and could not make their way back to the shallows. A few of them waved for the lifeguards for Help.

I would like to insert a (blonde) joke here but I was really impressed.

Without hesitation, one of the lifeguards sprinted to the sea with an orange float under one arm, completely ignoring the 60 degree ocean temp.

In less than a minute two more life guards came literally sprinting down the beach full speed from the neighboring beach, floats in their hand, and dove into the ocean.

A minute later an all-terrain vehicle pulled up with two more lifeguards. And then another.

This rescue on this family of 5 was really impressive!

Adding to why this is such a great place to take your kids.

…speaking of,

later that day…

Rides

…Kohrs Bros. ice cream, er, frozen custard

Day 4

Today on the Boards we tried a break in the routine,

a perk,

a decadent diversion….

Soft Custard for breakfast!!

We still had our Browns donuts earlier on the bike ride.

(I put on so much weight this trip!)

Still no shortage of mini golf..

Pirate Island

…that has the talking Parrott and Alligator…that tries to sell you DQ Blizzards

And the mandatory family pic….

more Beach..

This week in Ocean City they held the Miss New Jersey pageant at their famed Music Pier theater on the Boards.

This night they held the Miss New Jersey pageant ‘parade’ on the boardwalk so every one could get a glimpse at the contestants…

..ahhhh, the constants:

Each contestant rode in their favorite car and got made up to look like their favorite woman in history.

..then more rides

..as we were preparing to say good-bye to the Wonderland and Castaway Cove Amusement piers.

Summary:

So by now I guess you know our routine.

I didn’t take any pics of riding our bikes on the boardwalk. That, in itself, is a true highlight of a trip to OCNJ, for young and old a like.

We did not miss a single morning, rain or shine, hot or cold on the Boards with our bikes.

Here is a glimpse of what that is like..

Two and a half mile of beach homes, other bikers, joggers, and surreys.

Shops, sounds, smells and sights of vacation!

Candy, fudge, warm fresh caramel corn, ice cream, mini golf, souvenirs, beach stores.

A wake, up-stretch-your-legs, this-is going-to-be-a-great day, intro to vacation.

I stop, inhale, and marinate the ‘shangri la’ experience this is, and has been for me. Its good for the soul.

..cause I am pretty much still a kid at heart.

One mini golf place we did not mention or capture was the Haunted Golf with the skeleton out front that talks and sings to you.

No pictures cause it’s all inside.

Which can be a really cool thing in the summer; pardon the pun.

And that brings us to the sunset of our summer vacation.

Thanks for taking the time to look in and visit with us!

Sorry is it is so much of the same, past OCNJ posts. But each trip, I think this marks the 5th with the kids, is a new high with new experiences.

One more glimpse from the ferris wheel as we take the bridge across Egg Harbor and head home and  say good-bye.

It’s a great place to be a kid!

Want one more version of why Ocean City is Americas Greatest Family resort and the perfect place for kids? Listen to this unbiased version from a 10-year-old strolling down the boardwalk as he gives you a narrated tour of the Boards. Too cute!

This is the Ocean City experience… as seen through the eyes of a child.

 

Cast of Characters in Another Trip to the Boards:

Browns Donuts

Kohrs Bros. Frozen Custard

Ocean City Boardwalk

Bikes on the Boardwalk

Miniature Golf of Ocean City

with a very special supporting to Johnson’s popcorn

(in which a gallon tub was consumed during the making of this vacation)

(I am such a tub of lard)

If I know you, and I miss your birthday or special event, you are getting a tub of this in the mail