Ocean City, MD (summer vacation 2012)

It was my first time out of New York in months and months, not to mention our first vacation since March, so we were thrilled to hit the open road.

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The sign on this truck advertised Young and Fresh Chickens. We chose to disagree.

My wife grew up going to Ocean City, Maryland with her family for summer vacations as a kid but it was my first time.  Thanks to my sister-in-law masterminding a great house rental in Ocean Pines we got to spend three days with the whole fam living it up.

Even in Ocean City, MD ...clowns are creepy.

My wife and our (not so little anymore) niece on one of the many rides.

Krissy and I would ourselves seek some thrills, like the Tidal Wave!  A little late in the game we realized we really haven't been on a rollercoaster in a long, LONG time, but we still had a blast.

The newest niece, Kiera, with papa Jerome while momma Kate and sister Janaya enjoyed another ride.

Our house rental was right on the water, so serene and comfortable.

We got to the beach a bunch of times and perhaps most psyched of all was our little Janaya, quickly becoming the cutest little surfer girl.

So great to spend time with family.  Above is Krissy and Kiera and Jerome and 'Naya below.

We weren't expecting such good surf while down there so we were loving the body surfing.

The crowds were out but everyone seemed to be down-to-earth and having the right attitude which was a relief.

On day #2 the vacation gods made fresh fruit cocktails that rocked our world.

Beach fun with the boardwalk right at our fingertips provided no lack of things to do and trouble to get into.

 

A napping Kiera, with the most precious eyelashes...

We walked the boardwalk a lot and enjoyed great adventures and people watching every time, but at night it took on a whole new persona.  ...so fun. Whatever age you feel like a kid again, mesmerized by the sights and sounds and awe-some-ness of it all.

 

We had to have a drink at the Purple Moose Saloon because what are you going to do?  NOT have a drink at a place called the Purple Moose??  

Back at the house we eventually had to have a traditional Maryland crab feast.  This is the lead-up.

Then we got down to business.  Half a bushel thanks to my father-in-law.

They were pros, and taught me quick, and we all had a ball!

The days went fast and before we knew it we had to say goodbye and head back to New York, but it really made all the difference to get out of our routine for a few days and see the rest of our loved ones.

A final killer meal, in this case courtesy of another OC MD staple, the dough roller.  Holy cow was that an amazing breakfast.  Fortified us for the 7 hour trek home.

Thanks Ocean City, MD, you're a fab town!!

perfecting the Dirty Banana

Since being back from the Caribbean I have been missing the killer bevy of blended cocktails that we enjoyed so I figured there was only one logical thing to do. My loyal Osterizer blender was promptly taken out of retirement and given front and center status on the kitchen counter. One of my first challenges was the Dirty Banana. Thanks to some cross referencing of internet recipes and a few ripe bananas on the shelf I came pretty damn close. This one was good enough to photograph. To answer my friend Greg's question, and for anyone else that might be interested, this is all you need:
1 oz. dark rum
1 oz. Kahlua
2 oz. milk
1 ripe banana
4-5 regular sized ice cubes

Blend for one minute.

Heavenly.

Rodney Bay, St. Lucia

setting the day off vibe

I cashed in a vacation day at the last minute and am not feeling bad about it. I'm in the midst of a major shift within my career as a horticulturist and educator, switching my focus from formal gardening to woodland management. It's been six months in the making and I could not be more excited about the challenges ahead, but at the same time I am zapped. Needed a day to process it all, a day clear the mental slate and start fresh. The plan was to wake early and hit the beach but the Atlantic Ocean looked more like the Long Island Sound so plans have been modified. But still a day for self, and a great day it will be.

Years ago my oldest brother Tim gave me this LP, Byron Lee and the Dragonaires "Rock Steady - 67". ...from the Rock Steady days when the beats were heavy and the men really knew how to sing. This is Mr. Lee with "On the Beach", a killer tune to set the day off vibe.

Staycation Day 6 of 9: play date with Jodie and Ava!

Today I didn't have any plans so I got to travel over the bridge to Brooklyn to see my dear friend Jodie and her adorable little Ava. This is the full series for those of you that know this precious bundle of cuteness. The wind was howling but the sunshine felt pretty good!

As you can probably tell she is a full-on babbling riggle of a thing, and we couldn't have been having any more fun.

The word of the day: "cozy"
We were sorry that Dave and Krissy weren't with us, but we will organize another session soon, promise.

Saturday morning on the turntable

Waking up, realizing I have the next nine days off. Planning adventures to inspire, things to create, and waiting for FedEx to deliver my new 4/3 O'neill wetsuit and booties for spring. All good things to come.

Bright sunny morning, windows open, breeze billows, you don't get much better than this.

"...this ain't no party,
this ain't no disco,
this ain't no fooling around..."


Talking Heads with "Life During Wartime"
off the album Fear of Music
(Eno/Talking Heads, Sire Records, 1979)