SO I decided the trip would not be possible or practical. Maybe I could settle on a beach day? That wouldn't be too expensive and as much as I missed being only an hour away from the Cali beaches, Ocean City, MD was only 3 1/2 hours away. And with good company, that could fly by. However as Adulthood sometimes rears it's head, finances are always an issue when trying to have "Fun". But then again I am the kind of person that can settle with Netflix all day and a bag of popcorn to escape.
Well I have to admit I got pretty lucky. Every Sunday I have a tradition. Lottery tickets. I know that seems silly but for a mere few minutes in the break of my weekend I get to indeed escape and find a glimmer of hope that we may find a winner. It just so happened that my friend picked up the tickets the following weekend of my blog and we went to work. Scratch... scratch... scratch... "No, that can't be right?"
So last Sunday we headed to Ocean City, MD. The weather had stated sunny on Sunday, Monday PM thunderstorms and clear for the rest of the week. So when we got into town we settled into a quaint little room at the Fennwick Inn on 138th St. They had reasonable rates, a pool & hot tub, arcade, reasonable soda/juice machines on each floor, ample parking and beach access. Not to mention the diner Leo's directly across the street. We went in around 11:30AM for breakfast (cause I sure do love me some 24/7 breakfast) and I kid you not... We placed the order and (I wish I would have timed it) we had no time to get three sentences in, she turned from the counter with our food. I had never seen service like that and I think it was magic lol. A table of 4 nestled in behind us shortly after and sure enough no more than a minute went by after their pretty big order did their food (very tasty as well) magically appear. So yes, if you are in the beach city and need a quick, tasty and inexpensive meal on the go... please visit Leo's!
The escape room was A LOT OF FUN! We were teamed with a family of four. Locked in a room for 45 minutes and had to figure out the clues to the puzzles to escape! And boy were we so close! I would absolutely suggest the adventure and we even have one in Lancaster!
The next day it was off the to go-karts. There was one particular track I absolutely had to experience to solve "The Need for Speed"! This track was called the Cyclone and it was a five story high infinity shaped track. When we arrived we tried out a few of the smaller tracks and I could see the clouds rolling in... then the thunder. Oh no! I thought. Not today! The weather was meant to be gorgeous. We were only staying until Wed. night and I wanted to make sure to get in as much as possible. Another day of rain would put a dampener on the trip. Was this karma coming back from winning that lottery ticket? Oy!
So I insisted that no matter what we were getting in line for that race if it killed me! So we hopped in line and I happened to be placed in the first single kart to be leaving in the first heat. As I strapped in, excited as all get out, I felt the droplets sneaking in through the sides. Then I caught a glimpse of lightning as the attendant waved for me to go. GO? Who Me? Are you serious? In no way, shape or form am I afraid of much but a lighting storm in a moving target may just be one of them. Well okay, I thought and ZOOM! If you know me at all, I am a very competitive person and love to W I N. So I hugged those curves and kept my pace consistent. Then... as I entered the entrance to the uncovered rooftop of the 5 story track where the rain was now pummeling down... SPIN SPIN SPIN! My kart was now lodged against the track facing traffic. My friend zoomed by laughing and rightfully so I was the first to spin out. Thankfully as I looked below there were several other cars that had done the same. The attendant on this level helped the other cars and then finally me. Okay, I thought... Let's do this. I started around that very corner that had spun me out and no more than 5 seconds later, the kart goes... Putt Putt Putt. Huh? Did I flood the engine? There's no way they cut the power knowing there were still cars left on the track. So now I am sitting on the roof of the track as a torrential downpour is hitting my face, God is throwing bowling balls in the sky and Zeus is releasing lighting bolts to Earth. Just my luck. So I sat looking at the sign reminding guests NOT to leave the kart without an attendees supervision... blah blah blah. So as I waited for someone to come and find me, I looked around. There had to be cameras of some sort, right? So I sat, waving my hands in the air and yelling out.... "Hey, anyone out there?"
Nope. So I thought, maybe I will try and wheel the car around and glide it down the track the opposite way? Being barefoot, this would be a terrible idea. Splinters and if the car really received damage on the way down, would I be held liable? Balls. So I sat and waited a little while longer until finally I decided to walk down the track to the bottom. Insert my stubborn, upset, childlike face holding my flipflops finally locating the exit staircase. Well here is a pic.
Wednesday we spent the day on the most beautiful of days on the beach. I finally got in the water after several years since I was stung by a baby sting ray in Venice Beach. (Yeah, my luck again!) We played horseshoes and soaked in the sun. By the end of the day, we knew we had to stay for one more day. The weather report was looking even more gorgeous than the present. So we found a cheap spot on 19th, rested up and headed back onto the beach on Thursday.
All in all, I had a blast. A much needed getaway and a little adventure. My birthday is in 6 days and for me, this was the perfect gift. All of those THINGS I Need To Do in Cali, can wait. I can figure out a way with the help of friends to take care of everything. This trip was more about the need to let loose and be a kid again.
So thanks for listening to my vacation rant! I hope you have a chance this Summer to experience something new, step out of your comfort zone and don't be afraid to take a chance.
Cheers and Death Defying Screams,
Blondesheep