Our boys beg to go to Atlantic City. Not to gamble, of course, although they have seen the gaming floors, filled with one-armed bandits and roulette wheels, as we trek from parking garage to the infamous boardwalk, but to go to their favorite restaurant, The Rainforest Cafe.
There are many reasons why they enjoy this outing. The restaurant is decorated to look like you're dining al fresco in the rainforest. Every so often, the already dim lights flash and the room fills with mist as life size, animated jungle animals yelp and screech. (The boys love this part. Charlotte, not so much.) The highlight, I believe, is light-up drinking cups. Filled to the brim with lemonade or chocolate milk, these plastic cups sparkle in the restaurant's darkness. Plus, they can take them home, making them a drinking vessel and souvenir all in one. So, when Craig and I feel like driving for 30 minutes, finding a parking spot in an overpriced casino garage, and spending $100 of our hard-earned cash on lunch, we're happy to oblige.
If this were an SAT question, I'd say the Atlantic City Boardwalk is to the Ocean City Boardwalk as Barney Miller is to Andy Griffith. Take the OC Boardwalk, add alcohol, cigarettes, gambling and pawn shops, replace surreys with pedicabs, and you have the AC Boardwalk. I don't know if I'd ever venture there with the kids on my own, not just because it is a slightly rougher destination, but also because I'm not sure I could ever navigate back through the casino to the car.
Yet, people watching and shopping on the AC Boardwalk can't be beat. We dined today at the Rainforest Cafe, the result of some good behavior and several weeks of begging from the boys. With full bellies, and empty pockets, we walked off our lunch by exploring the near-by shopping mall, The Pier Shops at Caesar’s, an extravaganza of overpriced designer stores overlooking the ocean. We never buy, just look, despite the Siren call of the technicolor candy store, It'Sugar, the home of giant gummy bears and other cavity-inducing treats.
At the end of the mall, on the first floor, is a fountain that displays a water show once an hour, on the hour. I wouldn't plan a trip around this attraction, but it sure was fun to watch. Loud music played as the fountain spouted water at difference heights and speeds, accompanied by flashing, multi-colored lights. Imagine fireworks, but with water instead of ammunition. The kids' reaction reminded me of watching 4th of July fireworks on the beach this year. Charlotte, wide-eyed in amazement, clapped away, unprompted by me. She clung to me like a koala bear, slightly taken back by the display, but intrigued nonetheless. Carter jumped in time to the music, raising his fists in the air, giving high fives to imaginary onlookers, his excitement both palpable and contagious. Will watched in awe, as Craig and I did as well. What an unexpected treat for us all.
Showing posts with label boardwalk. Show all posts
Showing posts with label boardwalk. Show all posts
Monday, July 13, 2009
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Surrey with the Fringe On Top
It's no secret that I love the Ocean City boardwalk. Yes, it can be fun to stroll down the boardwalk to snack, shop and people watch. But for me, a trip to the boardwalk is more about the journey than the destination.
My goal for the summer is to ride the boardwalk from end to end, a six mile round trip, from where it starts at 23rd Street all the way to the North end of the island. Will has made the trip a few times with his buddies next door. Carter, Charlotte and I usually make it to about 12th Street, where Carter declares that he is simultaneously tired and thirsty. Tired legs are an insurmountable obstacle to a stubborn 4-year-old. Will usually catches us on his loop back to 23rd Street, finding me walking alongside my cruiser, with Carter sitting on my bicycle seat, Charlotte in the back, and Carter's two-wheeler precariously balanced on my front basket. Old ladies cluck their tongues, and knowing mothers who have been there and done that give me crooked smiles. Will likes to pass us with a smirk and impatiently wait for us at the end of the trail.
With the two boys in camp last week, I thought Charlotte and I would finally make it to the end of the boardwalk. We made it to Oves Restaurant, close, but not quite, to the end. When she started to fuss, I reluctantly turned around, knowing there was still unexplored territory ahead.
Make no mistake, the boardwalk is just as fun to explore by foot. When Mom was visiting last week, she tested out a new pedometer. Our strolls on the boardwalk alone helped us log way over 10,000 steps a day. Of course, the adrenaline rush from jumping out of the way of racing bikers, sweaty runners, wayward surreys and swooping seagulls turned our leisurely steps into more of an aerobic workout.
But is there any better way to tour the Ocean City boardwalk then by surrey? Nope, no fringe on these surreys, but who wouldn't feel like singing while pedaling this part bicycle-built-for-4, part Flintstones car? I dream of one day having my own surrey that I'll park in the garage and use to pedal us all to the steps to the beach or to haul our kayaks to the bay. I have my someday-surrey already decorated in my dreams in red, white and blue for the annual 4th of July parade, in which, one day, I will win first prize.
For now, I'll settle to rent one. My friend Jen and I (of Uncle Bill's fame) decided, after our ill-fated restaurant trip, that we'd take all seven of our children on a surrey ride. The babies rode up front in the baskets. Will sat in front, next to Jen and me, the brave captains of the surrey, where he was always willing to lend a hand by unexpectedly pulling on the brake or "helping" steer. The remaining four crammed into the back, squished together as we pushed the surrey occupancy limits and tested the strength of our flip-flopped feet.
The hardest part of riding a surrey is the trip up and, as you might imagine, the trip back down, the ramp up to the boardwalk. We realized halfway up the ramp that with only two adults pedaling, we couldn't make it up the ramp. I'm not sure how we did it, but Jen and I managed to hop out of the surrey and muster up all of our inner mom strength to push that vehicle--and its wiggling, screaming occupants--up that ramp.
Surreys aren't permitted to explore the boardwalk in its entirety--only from about 14th to maybe 4th Street where the walkway is at its widest. We used part of our hour rental pedaling down the ocean side, enjoying the breeze and laughing at the attention we attracting. (Do onlookers smile because the kids are cute or because they pity for us? We're still not sure.) Yet, those demons Hungry and his evil brother Thirsty struck--all 7 kids. We tried to satiate these persistent brothers with hot, fried donuts and icy lemonade from the food court, while the surrey rested in front of a not-yet-open Mack & Manco's Pizza.
Hungry and Thirsty were soon chased away by other well-known twins, Hot and Tired. (Perhaps you know them, as well?) We loaded back onto the surrey and pedaled back down to our starting point. The trip back down the ramp was as frightening as the trip up. I held onto the handbrake, several of the kids squeezed their eyes shut, and we shouted warnings of our uncontrolled descent to the unsuspecting bikers in our path.
Whether by bicycle, surrey or by foot, I've explored almost every inch of the OC Boardwalk--with the exception of those elusive last few blocks. Yet, each time is its own adventure. When we arrive back home, our hair is windblown, our skin is salty, and often, our tummies are full--and we're already planning our next journey down the Boardwalk.
My goal for the summer is to ride the boardwalk from end to end, a six mile round trip, from where it starts at 23rd Street all the way to the North end of the island. Will has made the trip a few times with his buddies next door. Carter, Charlotte and I usually make it to about 12th Street, where Carter declares that he is simultaneously tired and thirsty. Tired legs are an insurmountable obstacle to a stubborn 4-year-old. Will usually catches us on his loop back to 23rd Street, finding me walking alongside my cruiser, with Carter sitting on my bicycle seat, Charlotte in the back, and Carter's two-wheeler precariously balanced on my front basket. Old ladies cluck their tongues, and knowing mothers who have been there and done that give me crooked smiles. Will likes to pass us with a smirk and impatiently wait for us at the end of the trail.
With the two boys in camp last week, I thought Charlotte and I would finally make it to the end of the boardwalk. We made it to Oves Restaurant, close, but not quite, to the end. When she started to fuss, I reluctantly turned around, knowing there was still unexplored territory ahead.
Make no mistake, the boardwalk is just as fun to explore by foot. When Mom was visiting last week, she tested out a new pedometer. Our strolls on the boardwalk alone helped us log way over 10,000 steps a day. Of course, the adrenaline rush from jumping out of the way of racing bikers, sweaty runners, wayward surreys and swooping seagulls turned our leisurely steps into more of an aerobic workout.
But is there any better way to tour the Ocean City boardwalk then by surrey? Nope, no fringe on these surreys, but who wouldn't feel like singing while pedaling this part bicycle-built-for-4, part Flintstones car? I dream of one day having my own surrey that I'll park in the garage and use to pedal us all to the steps to the beach or to haul our kayaks to the bay. I have my someday-surrey already decorated in my dreams in red, white and blue for the annual 4th of July parade, in which, one day, I will win first prize.
For now, I'll settle to rent one. My friend Jen and I (of Uncle Bill's fame) decided, after our ill-fated restaurant trip, that we'd take all seven of our children on a surrey ride. The babies rode up front in the baskets. Will sat in front, next to Jen and me, the brave captains of the surrey, where he was always willing to lend a hand by unexpectedly pulling on the brake or "helping" steer. The remaining four crammed into the back, squished together as we pushed the surrey occupancy limits and tested the strength of our flip-flopped feet.
The hardest part of riding a surrey is the trip up and, as you might imagine, the trip back down, the ramp up to the boardwalk. We realized halfway up the ramp that with only two adults pedaling, we couldn't make it up the ramp. I'm not sure how we did it, but Jen and I managed to hop out of the surrey and muster up all of our inner mom strength to push that vehicle--and its wiggling, screaming occupants--up that ramp.
Surreys aren't permitted to explore the boardwalk in its entirety--only from about 14th to maybe 4th Street where the walkway is at its widest. We used part of our hour rental pedaling down the ocean side, enjoying the breeze and laughing at the attention we attracting. (Do onlookers smile because the kids are cute or because they pity for us? We're still not sure.) Yet, those demons Hungry and his evil brother Thirsty struck--all 7 kids. We tried to satiate these persistent brothers with hot, fried donuts and icy lemonade from the food court, while the surrey rested in front of a not-yet-open Mack & Manco's Pizza.
Hungry and Thirsty were soon chased away by other well-known twins, Hot and Tired. (Perhaps you know them, as well?) We loaded back onto the surrey and pedaled back down to our starting point. The trip back down the ramp was as frightening as the trip up. I held onto the handbrake, several of the kids squeezed their eyes shut, and we shouted warnings of our uncontrolled descent to the unsuspecting bikers in our path.
Whether by bicycle, surrey or by foot, I've explored almost every inch of the OC Boardwalk--with the exception of those elusive last few blocks. Yet, each time is its own adventure. When we arrive back home, our hair is windblown, our skin is salty, and often, our tummies are full--and we're already planning our next journey down the Boardwalk.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
I want to ride my bicycle, I want to ride my bike. . .
Ocean City is such a great place to bike. Last year, at the end of the season, Craig bought us used beach cruisers from the bike rental place on 34th street. (Most of the bike rental places do sell off inventory at the end of the season.) My cruiser is a cheerful yellow with orange on the inside of the tires. I've been eagerly awaiting the first of many family bike rides.
My inaugural bike ride this season was over Memorial Day weekend. Will, Bud and I rode our bikes down the boardwalk to the Hula Grill so I could pick up some of their delicious Hawaiian barbecue sauce for dinner. The sun was shining bright, but there was a cool breeze off the ocean--perfect conditions.
We bought Charlotte a seat for the back of my bike, and a pink helmet with bunnies on it, for her first birthday. I'd been researching bike seats for months and was so excited to take her for a ride. Craig installed the seat, we buckled her in and put on her helmet. She took off her helmet. We put it on again. She took it off, this time with a screech. We put it back on, this time securing it a little tighter. She pulled at it again, now full out screaming, and was now really mad because she couldn't take it all the way off. So, the bike went in the garage for a month and Charlotte and I accompanied the rest of the family on their bike rides stroller-style.
She's a baby with some strong opinions and I knew it would take some planning on my part to get that helmet back on her. I let her play with her helmet for a while. I let her play with the boys' helmets. We made a huge fuss when she'd put it on her head. So today, after a few weeks of helmet practice, we were ready to try it again.
We had a mission today--boardwalk for mini golf and water ice. Operation helmet was successful. We rode down the back alley between Central and Wesley so we could avoid traffic on the way down to 14th street. Like a duck family, we shooed the family down town. Craig lead the way and Charlotte and I brought up the rear.
Every so often, Charlotte would remember that we'd tricked her and would make her objection to wearing her helmet loud and clear. To soothe her temper, I'd point out things we saw along the way and talk to her as we rode. Our convoy did attract some attention, so I do hope that people noticed the baby on the back of my bike. Otherwise, what I must have looked like, pedaling away, and, in my best mommy voice, saying, "Weeeeee, look at the big girl on her bike!"
My inaugural bike ride this season was over Memorial Day weekend. Will, Bud and I rode our bikes down the boardwalk to the Hula Grill so I could pick up some of their delicious Hawaiian barbecue sauce for dinner. The sun was shining bright, but there was a cool breeze off the ocean--perfect conditions.
We bought Charlotte a seat for the back of my bike, and a pink helmet with bunnies on it, for her first birthday. I'd been researching bike seats for months and was so excited to take her for a ride. Craig installed the seat, we buckled her in and put on her helmet. She took off her helmet. We put it on again. She took it off, this time with a screech. We put it back on, this time securing it a little tighter. She pulled at it again, now full out screaming, and was now really mad because she couldn't take it all the way off. So, the bike went in the garage for a month and Charlotte and I accompanied the rest of the family on their bike rides stroller-style.
She's a baby with some strong opinions and I knew it would take some planning on my part to get that helmet back on her. I let her play with her helmet for a while. I let her play with the boys' helmets. We made a huge fuss when she'd put it on her head. So today, after a few weeks of helmet practice, we were ready to try it again.
We had a mission today--boardwalk for mini golf and water ice. Operation helmet was successful. We rode down the back alley between Central and Wesley so we could avoid traffic on the way down to 14th street. Like a duck family, we shooed the family down town. Craig lead the way and Charlotte and I brought up the rear.
Every so often, Charlotte would remember that we'd tricked her and would make her objection to wearing her helmet loud and clear. To soothe her temper, I'd point out things we saw along the way and talk to her as we rode. Our convoy did attract some attention, so I do hope that people noticed the baby on the back of my bike. Otherwise, what I must have looked like, pedaling away, and, in my best mommy voice, saying, "Weeeeee, look at the big girl on her bike!"
We took the kids to Congo Falls mini golf for 18 holes. It was a fun time, as long as Craig and I overlooked the rampant cheating. Carter plays golf like he's playing pool and hockey at the same time. It earned him a hole-in-one, so what do I know?
From golf, we went to TLC's Polish Water Ice on the boardwalk, between 10th and 11th street. I'd never had water ice until I met Craig and until now had thought there was none better than the lovely Rita. The Polish must be on to something because this style of water ice is really creamy, like ice cream. Yum! Charlotte and I are mango fans and the boys usually opt for something florescent blue, like cotton candy or blue raspberry mixed with soft serve vanilla. They give good-sized free samples, so we never leave without the boys sampling the flavor they will have the next time.
Now refreshed, we went back to our bikes for the ride home, a happy parade down Central Avenue. Mission complete.
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