Believe it or not, I actually traveled to a place that is not my beloved Philadelphia. I joined my family vacation in Ocean City, New Jersey for a few days during the third week of October 2021. On the way back, I did stop in Philadelphia. Surprise, surprise… I had a great time in both places.
My parents and I drove to this beach town on Monday, October 18, 2021. When people who live in Philadelphia say that they are going “down the shore,” they mean they are traveling to one of the beach towns on the New Jersey coast of the Atlantic Ocean. My parents had booked an Airbnb, which was nice. The spacious three bedroom two bathroom apartment was located on the second floor of a house and featured a huge balcony on the front. I had my own room with a full-size bed. My sister and I shared a bathroom. Its location was fantastic. However, many businesses were closed due to it being off-season and since they were experiencing staffing shortages. Even though I researched the destination, I was still expecting Ocean City, Maryland (a city I am very familiar with) just in a different location, but it seemed much more quiet. It was an island of houses for rent rather than one full of hotels. It is also a dry town, so you would need to BYOB (of Chianti, of course) to your rental house. My mom, the family dog Minnie, and I walked just under a mile to a restaurant for pizzas, salad, and french fries, and then back. The food was very good. The pizza crust was thin. I thought pizza was a good idea so my sister could eat that after she arrived, just after 9:00 PM. Unfortunately, both my dad and sister were sick. I was a bit concerned as I could not have any Covid-like symptoms and board the train back home on Thursday.
On Tuesday morning, my mom and I walked to the nearby boardwalk, down it like nine blocks and then walked through the quaint old downtown on the way back, stopping into any place that piqued our interest.
On the boardwalk, we played a game of skeeball, she played a game of Monopoly-themed pinball, she bought a couple of decks of cards, and we picked up chocolates as well as a large plastic tub of caramel popcorn from Johnson’s Popcorn, a classic boardwalk treat.
Near the house, we split up and I walked on to a bakery for breakfast pastries. I love an Italian breakfast of a coffee and pastry. After that, I came back to the Airbnb and cooked bolognese. My dad had brought homemade lasagna. Our lunch was leftover salad, lasagna topped with meat sauce, and some ate pieces of sub rolls as bread. I opened the bottle of Tesoro della Regina Chianti Classico that I had brought. For dessert, I savored a dark chocolate vanilla butter cream and a couple of pieces of caramel popcorn.
My mom took the dog on a walk around the little park catty corner to our block. I accompanied them at the beginning since I wanted to be in the green space. The highlight for me was this charming gazebo.
With the sun behind the house by this time, I spent some time on the balcony. It was relaxing to read a good book and snack on delicious caramel popcorn.
For dinner, I enjoyed a bowl of my dad’s famous beef vegetable soup. I savored several milk chocolate-covered raisins for dessert. My sister and mom have played a few games. I read more of the book, The Surrender Experiment by Michael A. Singer.
I had brought my Moka pot on vacation, so for breakfast on Wednesday, I savored illy espresso with half of a piece of coffee cake and half of an almond croissant.
After some time sitting on the balcony in the sunshine, we drove to and around Wildwood, New Jersey, which was a blend between Ocean City, New Jersey and Ocean City, Maryland. We ate lunch outside at Dogtooth Bar & Grill. I ordered their BBQ pulled pork sandwich with an “upgrade” of fries. It was good. There were still large pieces of pork that were not shredded, so it was simply messy to eat.
We drove on to nearby Cape May, New Jersey, which was more residential, with a plethora of Victorian-style houses. We stopped at its lighthouse briefly.
There were two amazing sights. We would be suddenly surrounded by many monarch butterflies. I had no idea that they migrate south for the winter like birds. We also saw fins in the water and people told us that they were dolphins.
The structure on the beach is a WWII bunker.
We returned to our rental. The houses in the neighborhood were decorated with many mums, but they are simply not my favorite. The vivid dark pink color of the lingering knock out roses left over from summer always catch my eye.
My family and I walked on the beach. My parents and Minnie continued walking on the beach. (Dogs were not allowed on the boardwalk.) My sister and I strolled on the boardwalk. The two of us stopped at Kohr Bros. for ice cream. I selected a cone with chocolate soft serve and rainbow jimmies.
Back at the house, I savored a dark chocolate vanilla buttercream on the balcony and then read some more of my book.
For dinner, I had a bowl of beef vegetable soup with a thin slice of an Italian loaf with some butter. More caramel popcorn and a couple of milk chocolate-covered raisins for dessert.
I enjoyed my usual espresso and a chocolate croissant for breakfast on Thursday. Next, I packed my suitcase. Due to my family still feeling ill, there was a last minute change of plans and I did not happen to show them my Philadelphia. My dad drove me to a small New Jersey train station and dropped me off. I proceeded to take a train to Philadelphia. I stowed my small 19-inch (tall) suitcase at the train station and then got to be in my city for a couple of hours before collecting my bag and taking another train and then Uber home before dark.
After taking the subway a stop into Center City, I walked to Sephora, but, unfortunately, they were out of my signature lip color. I did manage to buy my eyeshadow refill in Shroom at the nearby MAC Cosmetics. Next, I walked over to a favorite coffee shop and purchased two pretty pastries. I picked up my almond shower oil refill in the lovely boutique, L’Occitane. The Reading Terminal Market was my next stop. I actually ordered a roast beef sandwich and a coke from Tommy DiNic’s. Even though the city is famous for them, I do not often choose to eat a cheesesteak as they are so heavy and after consuming one, I feel lethargic. On this quick trip however, I enjoyed half of the large sub. At this busy indoor market, I actually found a table!
At this glorious market, I picked up three cookies at The Famous 4th Street Cookie Company, then cranberry pistachio biscotti from Termini Bros., then three little chocolate gifts from Mueller Chocolate Co. for my parents and sister. I perused the French linen stand.
Outside, I walked a couple of blocks further. There used to be a dead mall, but they recently transformed it into another one called the Fashion District. I only walked to a single store, but it looked nice. I stopped into Ulta Beauty and bought my NARS Afterglow Lip Balm in Dolce Vita. After that, I strolled over to the LOVE sculpture at Love Park.
I hopped on the subway a stop. At the train station, I purchased three postcard stamps, wrote three postcards, and then mailed them. My Philly stop was short but sweet. I had a great time in my city.
Back at home, I ate the second half of the roast beef sandwich for dinner.
For dessert, I savored a chocolate chip cookie. Food souvenirs are among my favorite souvenirs!
For breakfast the next morning, I enjoyed illy espresso and a pain aux raisins. I daydream of living in Philadelphia and savoring this particular pastry…
I finished reading the last few pages of my book on Friday. It was such a wild story! Even though I wouldn’t go to the author’s extreme, I could certainly learn to let go of trying to control everything. Life can turn out even better than planned.
This is a half of an almond croissant. Believe it or not, I have now become a half of a breakfast pastry kind of gal now. Who am I?!
I adore a black & white cookie, so chic.
The cranberry pistachio biscotti from Termini Bros. are so well done. I even like them better than a chocolate option!
After arriving home on Thursday, I began to develop cold symptoms. Unfortunately, I did end up catching it from my family. I took care of myself through the rest of my vacation days through Monday. I had to cancel social plans, but as a responsible person, at least I already had the days off from work and didn’t have to keep calling out, thus deal with feelings of guilt. I returned to work as scheduled on Tuesday. First thing Wednesday morning, it was obvious that I went back to work too soon, so I called out sick that day, and spent another day in bed. I finally recovered after a full week.
I was happy that I explored a new destination. I would go back with a group and rent a house. As they are about an hour apart, I imagine I might if I live in Philadelphia one day. I recommend Ocean City, New Jersey. Of course, I was delighted to be in Philadelphia, even if only for a couple of hours. I am still trying to move there.