Pre-pandemic, we had planned to join Mom-Mom and Aunt Molly for a week in Ocean City, NJ, in June, along with Uncle Fran. We went back and forth over whether to cancel, and in the end decided to keep it. We’d been completely socially isolated since March, anyway, so we figured we were germ-free, and who knows what the future will hold? Sadly, Uncle Fran was not able to join us due to work. We drove down on Saturday with more stuff than we have ever packed before — all the food we’d need plus linens including pillows and blankets and all our towels. And beach chairs and umbrellas and toys. Everything! We had to get a roof rack and a Yakima cargo box to fit it all.
The house was great, located in the Gardens end of Ocean City so the beaches were not as crowded. We spent the whole time at the house or the beach, with no other excursions, no shopping, no takeout. We brought so much food! It was surprising how few people wore masks going to/from the beach, compared to how cautious people are still being in NY.
I took this pic of the strange machinery behind us one day. Unfortunately it turned out this was for a beach rejuvenation project starting imminently and our block of the beach was closed on Thurs and Fri! It was fine, we just drove down to the next beach those days.
The kids really enjoyed the water on this trip, jumping the waves, attempting to body surf. I need to get them some boogie boards. I’m glad everyone enjoys the beach because we were able to pack lunch, spend the whole day there. Lots of swimming, reading, drip castles, coloring with Aunt Molly, digging trenches to try to delay moving back when the tide was coming in.
One day it started to rain right when we arrived in the morning. My weather app said it would be brief, so we put up the umbrellas and decided to wait it out! It turned out to be somewhat heavy, but it was an adventure. Well, Sarah said it was the worst day of her life, but the rest of us enjoyed it.
The last day Andrew drove back down from NY (he’d gone back mid-week for work) and we made our last dinner followed by some smores! Yum.
Thank you to Mom and Molly for having us, it was a wonderful week! I’m so grateful we were able to spend that time together, given all that is going on.