We're Goin Down the Ocean, Hon! About This Page:

[JoanW]

That statement is classic Baltimore-ese but we love it. Pronounce the O in ocean like ooooooshun. As in "wur goooooin don the ooooooooshun, hon. Cause we are all hon's. Think Hairspray.

Anyway, we planned this a year ago, where my mother, my siblings and I and our respective families would spend a week at beach. In one house. Together. Like when we were growing up. Whether we liked each other or not. In one house.

So we planned and researched. My sister found a house with an elevator for my mom who along with my older brother had suffered a massive stroke (well, mom's wasn't massive, but she told everyone it was). Deposits made, plans established. And then, mom passed away at Christmas. We made the decision immediately to keep the reservation and go anyway.

We also started planning for the Big Trip v2009 (BT09), bigger than the Big Trip v2005. I'm turning 50 in January, Grace graduates from high school, and Pat and I will celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary. Big year, big trip. So, with the beach week planned, we thought that it would be a trial run for the BT09 to see if we could get along for a week, since the BT09 is a 9 night cruise. A cast of characters, I tell ya.

So without further ado here we are:
The Marylanders
Me, Joan (49.45) the mom, the DW (should I be like Bob and say Long Suffering DW since I NEVER get trips to WDW like Eileen)
DH Pat (63), hates the beach, hates vacations, loves the fun we end up having, but seriously, can't relax.
DD Grace, 17, a senior in high school, recently lost 25 pounds
DD Rachel, 15.85, soon to be 16 on July 28, and is foaming at the mouth for a driver's license and also lost 26 pounds.
DB Michael (50) always says he's younger, lies, is partially paralyzed on his left side, but is freakin funny. King of practical jokes. Saran Wrapped the toilet in my Young Adult Years.
DB John (42) and his girlfriend Amity and her son Justin (8). John lives for the beach. He had his sand chair out in March waiting to pack the car.
DNiece Louise (39), Pat's niece. Single, 6' tall, very smart, and my Chic Flick movie partner. And possibly another trip partner too.
DBF Nancy (52) is as short as I am tall. We usually weigh the same, she's just vertically challenged. She always got car sick every where we went. She's a vomit magnet too. Always seems to park her car near it so we have to walk by it. Leaving her DH at home to spend quality time with us.
DBF Meg (54), also known as Big Red due to flaming red hair and pasty white skin. I want her to sit next to me so I look tan. Leaving her DH at home too so she can partake of my family vacation. She has jokes planned too.

The Michiganers
DS Mary Jean (47) and her DH Dennis (50), (neighbors of Chad and Kim, a sibling of Jennifer Marx - hey guys!)

I have to go get a pedicure, so I will finish when we get back!

[lauren-roxy]

Great start Joan!! I always love your trip reports!!

[eff051102]

Great start, can't wait for more!

[FanOfMickey]

Great start Joan, can't wait to read more

[Colexis Mom]

Great start Joan More please

[chezp]

Great start Joan - I can't wait to read more.

[JoanW]

The house we rented sleeps 14, Fenwick Island vacation house rental - Ravens Nest Fenwick Island so there may be occasional visitors from second cousins and other friends of friends. Also, the place we rented is in the same development where my Aunt Lois, a spry 85 year old, has a house and her daughter Patty has one too. So in talking with my cousin Steve, Patty's brother and Patty's husband Ted, it seems she's turning 60 in August, but what better time to have a surprise birthday party for her while we are all at the beach. So unbeknownst to Patty, all of Aunt Lois' kids, grandkids, and great grand kids are coming up too. Total in that group - 25. So we decided to have it on the 4th of July. Patty & Ted's house has a rooftop patio, so we can watch the fireworks that night. And she still does not know anything about her party.

So our tentative plans for fun, sun, and beach eating are as follows:

(And mind you, we've been doing this for 40 years, not much changes from year to year, unless we miss a year due to, gasp, births, weddings, Disney!, or other more expensive vacations)

Friday - arrive in the afternoon and unpack, get groceries at the new Harris Teeter grocery store. (I'm sorry, that was the best name they could come up with????) My DSis and I are getting there first so we can pick out the best bedrooms for ourselves. Hey - we planned this, we get first dibs! A visit to Happy Harry's, Happy Harry's - A Walgreens Pharmacy a Walgreens type drug store always occurs the first night for the girls to buy some crap. Magazines, lipgloss, nail polish, hair things, Pringles, and other absolutely unecessary items are purchased. Board games will be played till the wee hours. Frosty beverages will be had.

Saturday - a beach day. Dinner is fried chicken from Marvin's, a lovely gas station/mini mart and lottery ticket establishment. The fried chicken is to die for, but get it to go, as it's not that clean inside. But get your Powerball. Aunt Lois is a frequent flier there.

Sunday - a beach day. Dinner is ribs from Nick Idonis. We get it to go because the wait is hours long. You call in your order, pick it up in 30 minutes, it's all packed up in nice shopping bags, and the people that have been waiting in line OUTSIDE for an hour spy our bags of deliciousness and can smell us as we walk to the car. And they get out their cell phones and call it in too!

Monday - probably a beach day for some of us, depending on the tan/burn ratio. This may also be the afternoon we ride to Rehoboth for some Playland activity. Skeeball, merry go round, flip upside down rides, a fried hot dog from Gus n Gus on the boardwalk, possibly a cheesesteak where I can sniff my shirt on the way back to the house cause the grease and onions are all over me. Thrasher's fries and a Kohr Bros custard too. Now this is the night we adults sometimes go out to the Bottle and Cork to hear the Greaseband. Official Website of The Fabulous Greaseband It's full of us old fogies.

Tuesday - again, a beach day for some. Possibly some minigolf at Viking Golf. Thor is at one of the holes. Family inappropriate photos are taken with Thor every year. What can I say? Tonight might be pizza night. Captains Pizza, home of the 28" pizza. The box barely fits through the door. Leftovers don't fit in the fridge well either. We haven't ordered one in 17 years, so the girls have never had a photo opportunity with the big pizza.

Wednesday - Outlet shopping. I got gift cards for the girls so they are limited to what's on them. Then we might be celebrating Rachel's birthday early with everyone, so I think it's Filet Mignon for her on the grill.

Thurdsay - Beach. Possible pontooning on Aunt Lois' boat. Bull on the Beach Ocean City Maryland Restaurants - Bull on the Beach Restaurant, Pit Beef, Ribs and Steak for dinner. A little brisket, some fries. A little boardwalking at night. A peanut butter fudge sundae from Dumser's Dairyland. Dumser's Dairyland Ice Cream Parlor, Restaurant, Drive-In in Ocean City, Maryland

Friday - It's Patty's surprise party in the afternoon/evening, so it may be a big beach day with all the cousins. Think 30+ sand chairs and coolers on the beach. Oh I can't wait.

Saturday - regretfully, pack up and come home. But we have a neighborhood party to attend that night.

My goal is to not over eat after losing 30+ pounds this winter/spring. I've earned those Thrasher's french fries though!

[chezp]

It sounds like you've got a fun and very relaxing trip planned there.

[clio]

Sounds like you have a great beach vacation planned. have fun.
Liz

[Colexis Mom]

What great plans Joan I know it's going to be a great time

[RobDVC]

Sounds like a great plan, Joan!
Thrasher's fries are a must, followed up with a twist custard from Kohr's!
The Fabulous Greaseband is a great band, ain't they? I've seen them a few times at nightclubs around Philly.

[lauren-roxy]

Great plans and the house is gorgeous!!!

[kmurburg]

Oh Hon, that sounds like a fabulous vacation! Sounds like you know all the hot spots and the yummiest spots for dinner! We're hoping to fit in a long weekend there at some point this summer as DH's cousin has a place there and the family gathers when possible.

[JaimeandChad]

Sounds like a great time!! Have a safe trip!!

[Lemap760]

Your plans sound great. I love the Greaseband.
A few fries and cheesesteaks never hurt anyone.