Ocean City

Let me start by saying I never did see the ocean. I spent yesterday afternoon and this morning in town but there was so much fog, I have to take it on faith that it was there. I saw sand which is a good clue. What I did notice is that Ocean City is the mini-golf capital of the universe. It was 7 miles from my hotel to the Delaware state line this morning. In that span, on one road - in face on one side of the road - I saw no less than 11 mini-golf

courses. On two occasions, there were rival courses across side streets from one another. The only other things Ocean City has are motels and Sunsations. The motels extend, non-stop for over 8 miles. Some are on the beach, some are a block or two away. Some are name brands you’d recognize while others have names like The Islander and The Kings Arms and were probably built in the 60’s. A quick check of Google says that Ocean City has over 10,000 hotel rooms and gets over 8 million visitors a year, most between now and mid-September. I believe those 8 million people must spend $80 million at Sunsations. It’s a convenience store that only has beach stuff. Everything from sunscreen to surfboards. They are everywhere, usually right next door to a mini-golf course.

As soon as you cross into Delaware, it tapers off significantly. There are several beach towns along the way, the nicest of which is Rehoboth, about 25 miles up from OC. I must say I found the ride through Delaware very pleasant. The people much less so. I think the state motto needs to be changed to “We’re small, but we’re rude too“. I ended up

in Dover tonight and booked a room at the Comfort Inn and Suites. When I went to map it, I just entered Comfort Suites. Turns out that‘s a separate hotel about 2 miles away. A fact that the clerk seemed to delight in telling me. I might have mentioned to him as I was walking back out the door that he was a jackass. Maybe.

All was better after a pound of shrimp and some Cajun rice at the Tasty Crab House, though. BTW, a pound of shrimp (without the heads) is way more than I thought, but it was the smallest thing on the menu.

Yep

I didn’t bother with too many pictures since they all looked like this

I spent about 5 miles between Rehoboth Beach and Lewes in the Junction & Blackwater Trail. It was unpaved but excellent.

Awwww

My bib, gloves and a shells from a pound of shrimp, plus my drink cup, about 50 napkins, and the large plastic bag with the sauce in it that the shrimp came in are all in that bucket.

My bonus ride from the Comfort Suites to the Comfort Inn and Suites.