5 day trips to make when you’re in town for Bike Week

Kristin
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Okay, so the weather forecast for this weekend has been changing minute-by-minute. You looked at it yesterday and there was a little storm cloud hovering over Friday, Saturday and Sunday’s forecast, but when you looked today, the yellow sun icon was peaking out from behind the storm clouds. 

Right now it looks like the weather for Bike Week will be mostly mild and sunny, if a little cloudy. We’ll be sure to keep you updated, since this upcoming weekend is one of the most crucial weather-wise of the year (second only to the following weekend’s Sunfest, for obvious reasons). 

There’s nothing worse than rain pouring down and mud splashing up all over a freshly-scrubbed Harley, but on the other side of that, there’s nothing better than getting to ride a bike and explore Delmarva’s back roads over three warm, sunny, dry end-of-summer days. We’re hoping for the latter. And if you do get the chance to man a motorcycle (or sit in the sidecar) this week, you’re not going to want to limit yourself to the blocks that make up Coastal Highway. Here are just a few nearby day-tripping destinations to explore while you’re (hopefully!) soaking up the sun on a bike this weekend. (Click on the headings for a more extensive day-tripping guide to each location.) 

Bike on boardwalk
And no, you can’t ride your bike on the boards unless you’re participating in the annual 9/11 Parade of Brothers parade. Which is sad for bikers, but probably the best for non-biker boardwalk pedestrians. 

Berlin

At only about a 20 minute drive from Ocean City, Berlin is easily one of the most accessible and beautiful nearby towns to bike to. Peruse the antique shops downtown, grab a drink at the Wine Bar before dining in a 100-year-old theatre-turned-restaurant and be sure to take a look at the community mural that’s underway outside of the Visitor Center. Berlin is most famous for providing the backdrop to movies like Tuck Everlasting and Runaway Bride, but once you get to know the town you’ll see that there’s plenty of things that make it one of the Coolest Small Towns in America. 

Salisbury

If you biked Route 50 to get to Ocean City, then you already drove right through Salisbury, the biggest city on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Salisbury often attracts visitors from OC who want to do a little shopping at the Salisbury Mall or catch a movie at the Regal Cinemas, but the city also has a number of fun, local things to do, from visiting the animals at the free Salisbury Zoo to drinking a craft beer at Evo or Rubber Soul. 

Pocomoke

Pocomoke is a bit of a drive, about 45 minutes from Ocean City, but it’s well worth the trip–especially if you’re interested in any combination of nature and local history. The town sits on the banks of the Pocomoke River, which makes it the perfect place to go for a peaceful day of fishing or boating. Pocomoke is also home to the Delmarva Discovery Center, an interactive museum that’ll teach you all about the history and geography of the Eastern Shore and, as a bonus for animal lovers, includes an otter habitat. 

Chincoteague

The small town of Chincoteague on Chincoteague Island, on the Eastern Shore of Virginia just past the MD/VA border, is a great place for a bike ride. You can drive through the town’s quaint, bustling Main Street and stop at restaurants and local businesses at your leisure, or head straight to the beach on the Virginia portion of Assateague Island (and if you don’t mind walking up about 140 ft., be sure to check out the Assateague Light, too!). 

Coastal Delaware

If you’ve thought about exploring Fenwick Island, Dewey Beach, Rehoboth or Bethany, why not just drive through all of the hotspots on Delaware’s coast? It’s a straight shot down Coastal Highway from Ocean City north to Rehoboth, and each town along the Shore has its own unique beach, shopping and dining experience to offer. 

For more information on Ocean City’s Bike Week, join the conversation with OC locals and tourists on our forum. (And yes, motorcycles can be noisy, but don’t let that scare you away from all the fun!) 

10 photos from the 9/11 Memorial Parade of Brothers Motorcycle Ride

Kristin
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Since 2002, the Red Knights have hosted their 9/11 Memorial Parade of Brothers Motorcycle Ride in Ocean City, Maryland. Bikers ride the length of the boardwalk (from 27th street all the way to the Inlet) in honor of those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. 

2017 marked the 15th annual Memorial Parade, where bikes were lined up at the south end of the boardwalk by 8:30, and the parade down to the Inlet ensued at 11:30. Skies were blue and the late summer air was warm with a soft breeze as several hundred parade-goers convened up and down the boardwalk to watch the bikers ride by. 

Here are just a few of our favorite early-morning lineup photos–if you have parade pics of your own, be sure to share them with us on Facebook! 

Ghost Hunting in Ocean City

Boardwalk Birdie
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In October, Dead of Night Paranormal Investigation will be looking for ghosts in one of Ocean City’s obscure haunted locations – the Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum.
The museum is dedicated to remembering Ocean City’s history in water rescues, starting in 1891. There were 19 Life-Saving Stations on the East Coast, and dedicated crews of had high rates of successful saves, considering the equipment that was available.
But Assistant Curator Christine Okerblom said that not all of these rescues had happy endings.
In 1955, when the U.S. Coast Guard was manning it, there was a terrible boating accident. A family of six from Baltimore was boating out to a hunting lodge in Assateague. The boat capsized and the entire family perished,” Okerblom said. “It was a terrible tragedy for Ocean City.”
The bodies were brought to the Life-Saving Station, specifically the large equipment room, so that relatives could identify them.
Today, visitors and employees have reported seeing specters or experiencing otherworldly phenomena. Some visitors get a chill when in the equipment room. Others say they feel the presence of a little girl.
“I haven’t experienced anything paranormal, but twice people said they saw a little blond-haired boy running to the gift-shop, when it was locked,” Museum Aide Robin Beauchamp said. “He was seen a few days later coloring in the children’s room.”
The life-cart, which could hold 2-5 people in it during a water rescue, is also a popular spot for paranormal activity. Several visitors reported seeing a transparent figure sit in the life-cart, shivering after a rescue.
Some people might run away from whatever ghouls may lurk in the Life-Saving Station Museum, but Olen Prince and his Dead of Night Paranormal Investigation team is willing to lock themselves in with the spirits after-hours on Oct. 28.
“The paranormal has always been a interest of mine, but I took it a little more seriously in 2012, when my grandfather died,” Prince said. “I spent the night at my grandmother’s place, and I could hear my name being called from the bedroom where my grandfather was sick in.”

Assistant Curator Christine Okerblom gives the Dead of Night Paranormal Investigators a tour of the museum.

Finding ghosts wherever they can

Everyone on the team has a ghost story they’re willing to share, including being touched by full-body apparitions, or seeing ghostly little girls at the Patapsco Female Institute in Pennsylvania.
The team has done dozens of investigations in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and even Tennessee. There’s been a few close calls, like during the investigation of Selma Mansion in Norristown, Pennsylvania two weeks ago.
“I went up to the governess’ room and for eight minutes, I was frozen,” Prince said. “I was looking out the window and I can’t remember those eight minutes. After that, I staggered and was confused … my lovely wife and lovely team have set up new rules after that.”

OCtoberfest

Sunset Park overlooking Assawoman Bay will once again be the setting for a fabulous Shore Craft Beer celebration of the local breweries who are producing world class beer. You can’t beat the beauty…

The team has investigated one other spot in Ocean City: Dunes Manor Hotel on 27th Street. Rumor has it that Thelma Connor, notable hotel developer, is still in charge of the place, nearly 18 years after her death. Although people report seeing Miss Thelma’s ghost for years, the Dead of Night team did not find conclusive evidence of a haunting because too many people were nearby during the investigation.
Dead of Night Investigation Team’s set-up includes wiring cameras to keep eyes on the paranormal “hotspots” and record any potential activity. Other devices used are EMP detectors, equipped with temperature sensors.
“If there are spirits here, they draw energy from the atmosphere, so the temperature will go up one or two degrees,” said Joseph Fishe, a paranormal investigator.
Dead of Night investigators also use eco-vox that emits white noise. The static makes it easier for spectres to communicate with humans. Possible electronic voice phenomenon is recorded and later decoded.
“It’s believed they can communicate using statics, and typically in short bursts,” Fisher said. “We get words from the other side all the time. When we were investigating Selma Mansion, it was my birthday. We asked the spirits if they wanted to say happy birthday, and they said ‘no … nasty.’”
During the paranormal pre-investigation of the Life-Saving Station Museum on Sept. 9, the spirits did communicate through radio waves. The eco-vox picked up the sounds of two adult women and a child. Down near the life-cart, there were murmurings of “I’m cold…”
Interested in hearing some ghosts yourself? Dead of Night Paranormal Investigation will return to perform a investigation on Oct. 28 from 7:30 – 11:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 per person, and space is limited. Make a reservation at the Life-Saving-Station Museum’s website or by calling the museum at 410-289-4991.

 

What Are You Doing Here: Mary O.

Boardwalk Birdie
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More than a quarter of a million people come to Ocean City in the summertime and thousands of them walk the 27 blocks of the Boardwalk each day. In “What Are You Doing Here?” we stop a few of them and find out what brought them to our corner of the Eastern Shore.

Mary O. walked slowly down the boards, walker in hand, before sitting gingerly down on a bench in front of the clacking Zipper in Trimper’s. She’s hard to miss, wearing a neon yellow “TRUMP ‘16” shirt and a red “Make America Great Again” trucker hat on her head, despite the hot, August day.

“I don’t want to get hit crossing the street,” Mary said seriously. “I got eight variations of this shirt. I’m a independent and vote with my conscious. I’m not afraid of nothing and nobody.”

She seems to own up to that promise, considering she’s letting a total stranger shove a microphone in her face while wearing clothing that is blinding and takes a clear political stance. Mary is confident and not afraid to speak her own mind or blaze her own path, as she decided to come to Ocean City 59 years ago in the spirit of adventure. The Boardwalk is a long walk from her hometown Louisville, Kentucky.

“When I was 15, a lady sat next to me on a airplane and said, ‘If you ever get to Maryland, make sure you go to Ocean City.’ So when I was 16, I got together with a few of my friends, got on a bus and ended up here,” Mary said.

That was the beginning of a long, steady love of Ocean City.

“I hope I get to heaven. But if I don’t, I’ll know I spent many a day here, which is as close as it can get,” she said. “It’s close to nature, it’s safe, and it’s a place you can feel good about.”

Mary taught school in Hartford County for 20 years, specializing in biology, health and physical education, settled down and raised three boys. But every year, she’d make a trip back to good ‘ol Ocean City, eventually becoming a property owner herself.

“We’d come down so they’d continue with their summer jobs. Matter of fact, they ran these rides back when Mr. Trimper was alive,” she said, pointing to the yard of amusement rides. “They’d make up the little ditties and songs. There’s a lot of hardworking kids that come here from all other countries and work to put themselves through college.”

Now at 75, Mary said in her years watching sunsets over the water and thousands of people walk past on the Boardwalk, Ocean City has stayed the same. It’s the culture that’s changing, buying into high-brow intellectuals telling them they know all the answers.

Mary grew up with President Harry Truman, who she names as a down-to-earth model president that America needs to get back to. She sees a lot of parallels with Truman and her man Trump.

“The new generation’s getting a little confused. Look at Truman – that was a man who wasn’t intellectual or hollywood. He was the son of a man who owned a hardware store. When Roosevelt died and he became president, no one there had respect for him,” she said. “They had their nose in the air and jealous he was in the position they wish they had. We had the doctor from Kentucky [Senator Rand Paul] and Texas [Ted Cruz]… and look at the Congress and Senate. They don’t want him to succeed. It’s a darn shame.”

“I love the fact they’re trying so hard, but they’re jealous. I watch the TV and think they should be ashamed. I can’t believe they’re not giving a voted republican or human being a chance. What’s he got on his agenda will help us, taxes, new jobs, roads… Trump’s trying to make things sensible again.”

Mary’s in good company in Ocean City, as liberals/Democrats are outnumbered in red county. But as with a beach town that draws thousands of people a day, there’s always someone that she’s not going to get along with.

“I had a lady come to me the other day and put a finger in my face and said ‘don’t you start!’ I looked at her and I thought, ‘oh, hold back, lady,’ Mary said. “I don’t want to talk about religion, sex or politics.”

Despite the culture clash from our divided country, Mary seems to like her view of the world on a bench in a place a little closer to heaven,

“What’s wonderful about this place, is I can sit on a bench like this one and talk with people all over the world. . We consider our tourists so much, spend whatever money they spend here back on them. That’s Ocean City.”

Day-tripping in Pocomoke

Kristin
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Travel down Route 113 far enough, and you’ll find yourself on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. But don’t cross that state line right away–first, make sure you stop to experience all the beauty and charm that is Pocomoke City, Maryland.

It’s possible you’ve only ever heard the town referred to as “Pocomoke,” because that’s what most locals call it. Technically it is Pocomoke City, after the name changed from one to the other in 1878, but call it what you want, it’s a pretty cool place.

Book online ocean city

Pocomoke’s nickname is “The Friendliest Town on the Eastern Shore,” and I can verify that their slogan is quite possibly the truth. I only spoke to a small handful of locals while I was there, but they were all perfectly nice and helpful and pointed me in the right direction when it came to checking out all the important landmarks and scenic spots in town. 

What can I say, I’m really into historic buildings and old-school, small-town charm, of which there’s plenty on Delmarva. If you look forward to visiting Berlin every summer, then you’ll definitely be taken with Pocomoke, too. 

Pocomoke River
The town is aptly named after the Pocomoke River, one of the top scenic rivers in the country. Go out boating or just take a walk along the water’s edge–either way, the experience will be peaceful and rejuvenating. The water above might look crystal clear, but it was once thought that the name  “Pocomoke” meant “dark (or black) water.” Today, it’s widely agreed upon that the Algonquian name actually means “broken (or pierced) ground.” 
Mar-Va Theater
Here’s the outside of the Mar-Va Theater, a historic performing arts center that you’ll pass as you walk along Market Street. The theater, built in 1927, was once known for Vaudeville entertainment and for hosting a number of well-known cowboy singers including Roy Rogers and Smiley Burnett. Today, you can catch a movie or a live theater performance at restored theater (where movies are only $5 and Rocky Horror Picture Show is screened every Halloween!).  
The Vault
The Vault is another beautiful old building on Pocomoke’s Market Street. The bank-building-turned-antique-store sells jewelry, chandeliers, art and even 18th and 19th century European furniture. You can buy a decorative heirloom for your home or just peruse the atmospheric, two-story shop (the bottom floor photographed here as I peered out of the second-story balcony). 
You can also buy a fur hat at the Vault. This photo wasn’t really necessary in the tour-through-photos of Pocomoke City, but where else can you get a fur hat these days? $25 sounds like a good deal (although I wouldn’t really know). 
Riverside Grill
The Riverside Grill is the place to eat on your first trip to Pocomoke, for its location on the river, delicious seafood and full bar. I didn’t eat there on this trip–I found a delicious-yet-inexpensive Chinese restaurant on Market Street called Golden Garden, which I also totally recommend–but the Riverside Grill should be a mandatory stop for first-timers. 
Delmarva Discovery Center
Next to Riverside Grill is the Delmarva Discovery Center, an incredible museum for any person of any age interested in history and local culture and heritage. Plus, there are plenty of animals, real and fake–so even if you already know everything about the region, at least go for the turtle and otter exhibits. 
Bear
One of those fake animals is this towering black bear. Who knew that bears used to inhabit the Delmarva peninsula?! The species lived in harmony with Native American tribes several centuries ago, but once European settlers laid claim to the land, the bears were driven out or killed due to the settlers’ fear and ignorance.  
Otters
Among many other exhibits displaying the region’s natural environment and native creatures, the otter exhibit is a popular one. In this photo, you can see the face of a sleeping otter on the left and the tail of another sleeping otter to the right. Their names are Tuck and Mac, and while they were brought from a crayfish pond in Louisiana (where they had been deemed nuisance animals), river otters live in rivers and lakes throughout Delmarva. 
Gas Station
Just outside of the Delmarva Discovery Center are these two vintage gas pumps, and in the background you can see the old Atlantic station, built in 1922. Today, the former gas station is used for science education programs.

Two important structures in Pocomoke that we didn’t photograph, due to an expansive construction scene in front of them on that particular day, are the Sturgis One Room School House and the Heritage House next door. The segregated School House for African American students served the community from 1900 – 1937, and operates today as a museum that displays the local, segregated education system of the early 20th century.

Sunfest Is Finally Here! Share your photos of Sunfest past!

OceanCity.com
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It is time! Once again, Sunfest will have the Inlet parking lot filled with tents full of vendors displaying homemade gifts, lined with people listening to great music and smelling of delicious food. Celebrate the end of Summer by visiting Sunfest. There will be fun for all ages, arts, crafts and even hayrides for the little ones; and music, crafts and fabulous food for adults! Share your photos with us on social media as you enjoy Sunfest.

 

Preparing for H2Oi

Kristin
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**9/15/17: While unofficial H2Oi activities may still be occurring, the official event has been cancelled until 2018, according to a statement on H2Oi’s website. 

Ocean City and its surrounding regions have become quite the hub for car shows and events in recent years. In fact, new vehicle-friendly events seem to be popping up just about every year. One event that’s been gaining popularity has dubbed itself “The ‘laid back’ 2-day Volkswagen/Audi event”–H2O International, or H2Oi, takes place in Whaleyville, MD every year, only 20 minutes from Ocean City, and many participants and spectators have taken to venturing away from H2Oi headquarters and showing off their wheels all the way down Coastal Highway. 

Traditionally, the event is the final weekend in September.  Yes, that’s three days, but it’s likely the car fest will take full swing that Saturday and Sunday. If you’re a self-proclaimed grease monkey, mark your calendar and read on for tips that’ll help you get ready for this year’s festival. 

What is H2Oi?

H2Oi stands for water-cooled import vehicles, and the 2-day Whaleyville event has a focus on modified Volkswagens and Audis. 

Show car aficionados travel from all over the East Coast to meet like-minded vehicle enthusiasts and to view all the unique and modified cars on display.  

What happens at the event? 

Participants drive up and park their vehicles for all the world to see. These vehicles range from stock (no mods) to mild (minor modifications) to wild (major modifications–that means motor swap, dash swap, super charger, turbo, major body styling, major interior and major audio).

On the first day of the weekend, there’s live music and barbecue at the Fort Whaley campgrounds. H2Oi recommends that participants bring their “A game” on the first day, as that’s when judges are checking out the cars and deciding who gets to be “Top Dawg” and up for an award. Cash awards go to the winners of categories including Best of Show for Stock, Mild and Wild, Best Paint, Best Engine, Best Interior, Promoter’s Choice and Club Participation. 

If you’re not a Top Dawg but still feeling the competitive spirit, there’s also a cornhole tournament where players can win prizes from event sponsors and tickets to potentially win a raffle car.

How can I prepare? 

If you’re looking to spectate, you can buy tickets day-of at the gate. Or, if you have both knowledge and admiration of show cars and looking to be more than a spectator, you can apply on H2Oi’s website to be a judge.

Participants must register online as an individual or a club before the event. When the weekend arrives, participants are to pick up their dashboard receipts from will call and then be in place by 11 a.m. on Saturday.

Book your hotel ahead of time! H2Oi has preferred lodging listed on their website and since tourist season is coming to a close by late September, it’s not too difficult to find hotels with off-season rates. If you’re thinking about staying for longer than a weekend, this year’s Sunfest is the week before H2Oi, from September 21-24. 

A quick reminder

With the ever-expanding vehicle shows and events that occur each year comes noise, traffic, litter and a general increase in vandalism and other illegal activities. Please be respectful of the town and all the beautiful regions that surround it so that these car shows can continue to take place. 

Sunfest in Ocean City this Weekend

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More than 184,000 expected guests to visit. 3 days. It’s Sunfest in Ocean City!

Sunfest is one of the biggest events during Ocean City’s fall season. This show, a mix between classic arts and contemporary crafts, is one of the biggest shows on the East Coast. The vendors who will be setting their stands up in OC’s Inlet Parking Lot this weekend hope that the turnout tops last year.

Click Here for Sunfest Dates, Times and Event Schedules

There will be lots to do and see at this years Sunfest! 12 artists will be working live, making their crafts for an audience.  There will be 6 giant tents set up for shoppers, visitors, and spectators to wander through while looking at great artwork.

Admission to the festival is free. Some of the scheduled concerts will require pre-purchased tickets. Friday and Saturday’s 8:00 p.m., performances will require tickets. Tickets can be purchased at the Ocean City Convention Center Box Office. The Box Office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The page was updated for relevance — Ed.

Ocean City Prepares To Send Relief to Houston

OceanCity.com
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Ocean City, Maryland – (September 1, 2017): As catastrophic conditions continue to devastate the Houston area, Town of Ocean City officials plan to offer aide to communities and families in Texas. According to Ocean City Emergency Services Director Joseph Theobald, who is preparing personnel to assist with recovery efforts (if needed), the town is also showing their support of charities located in the most-affected areas.
“We are currently putting together a request for volunteers to assist Houston and the surrounding areas in the wake of Hurricane Harvey,” commented Theobald. “We work very closely with the State and officials at the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) to coordinate assistance where it is most needed. It is important to remember that recovery in these areas will last for months, if not years, and we are preparing to help them as much as possible.”
In the meantime, the Town of Ocean City is supporting various highly-rated organizations that will support the victims of Hurricane Harvey, as well as those working on the front lines of the disaster area. “It is completely unimaginable to see the widespread devastation in Texas,” stated Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan. “It is heart wrenching to see the photographs and read the stories of victims and aside from offering our prayers to the victims and first responders, we are also working on ways to provide assistance that will offer an immediate and effective impact.”
Town of Ocean City employees and community members who wish to donate to a local charity in the wake of Hurricane Harvey are asked to consider these suggested organizations: The Salvation Army (http://salvationarmyhouston.org/) and the Houston SPCA (http://www.houstonspca.org/).
“Despite the horrible things that happen in the world, Ocean City is a community that comes together in tragedy, providing help to individuals and animals that need it the most,” finished Meehan. “In the wake of such sadness and despair, we hope to offer some positive support to the people of Texas.”

Art League to showcase international student photography

Kristin
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The Art League of Ocean City is most well-known for showcasing the talents of local artists. From paintings to photography to, most recently, film, the two-story gallery on 94th street bayside has been a hub for Delmarva creators of all kind.

But since 2015, there’s been one pop-up exhibit at the Art League that steps beyond the local art scene and expands its scope far past the Atlantic Ocean. And this exhibit, while it incorporates artists from all around the world, still speaks to the culture and landscape of Ocean City. 

The exhibit is the one-weekend-only, end-of-summer J1 Photo Show. Students from abroad who live and work in Ocean City during the summer on a J-1 work Visa submit the photos they’ve captured during their time in Ocean City, allowing visitors to “see Ocean City through the lens of international students visiting for the summer,” according to the event’s Facebook page.

“This is the second year we’ve done this, the first being in 2015,” said the Art League’s Gallery Manager Katie Brown. “The idea came from an Italian art student Claudia Mazzola, who was here for the summer and helping with our kids summer camp.”

The exhibit will only be up for the weekend–from its First Friday reception to Sunday, September 3–until next year, when a new wave of photography will hopefully be displayed again to represent the 2018 students’ time spent in OC. 

As for the content of the photos, exhibit-goers can expect to see a range of sunset pictures, shots of the ocean and groups of friends hanging out and enjoying their time at the beach.

“We’ve received a lot of really stunning coastal landscapes,” Brown said, “Plus shots involving people, too…So it varies.” 

This year, the opening reception falls on September 1, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Art League’s first-floor classroom. The reception is free, and visitors will be able to enjoy refreshments and meet the international artists whose photos will be on display. 

J1 photo
From the 2015 show, “Good Morning” by Marek Zatko of Slovakia
J1 photo
From the 2015 show, by Dragos Cahnita of Romania
J1 students
J1 students sit by their photos at the 2015 exhibit. They submit their pictures, and the Art League prints and hangs them.

El Galeon is staying slightly longer than expected

Kristin
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The 17th century Spanish galleon replica El Galeon was initially scheduled to leave out of Ocean City on the 27th. But if you haven’t set foot on the ship yet, you’re in luck–El Galeon is extending its stay here for three additional days due to inclement weather. The crew is also offering a 30-day trainee program as the ship travels from Ocean City to Spain, so if you’ve ever dreamed of being a sailor, now’s your chance.

From the Town of Ocean City’s Communications Manager Jessica Waters:

Ocean City, Maryland – (August 25, 2017): The Spanish ship, the El Galeon, has extended their stay in Ocean City! The ship, which was scheduled to depart on Monday, August 28, will stay in the Isle of Wight Bay until Wednesday, August 30, due to expected tidal conditions. The 170-foot, 495-ton wooden replica will be on display for patrons today, Friday, August 25 until Tuesday, August 29, with a pending departure at approximately 3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, August 30 (weather depending). For more information & admission visit: https://oceancitymd.gov/oc/departments/special-events/el-galeon-tall-ship/ 

In addition, the crew is offering a once in a lifetime adventure for voyagers who want more than just a tour of the vessel. Those who have the need and time to do more than visit the vessel at port can become a “trainee” and experience the 16th century vessel as it sets sail. The Nao Victoria Foundation has designed a Trainee Program that allows participants to become part of the crew for the final leg of the vessel’s journey from Ocean City to Spain. This opportunity allows trainees to share the responsibilities of the watch with your mates and learn from professional sailors about capturing the trade winds aboard El Galeon.

Trainees learn a variety of sailing techniques, including participating on the watches from the bridge, sails maneuvers, woodwork, docking and more. Sailing experience is not a requirement for the program, as participants will learn all that is needed through sailing workshops onboard! Positions are limited and a cost is associated with the program. Don’t miss this once in a lifetime opportunity! The journey takes approximately 30 days.
For more information visit www.fundacionnaovictoria.org or contact with: Ulises Custodio at ulises@fundacionnaovictoria.org, Tel. (904) 826 7327.

Creature Feature: A baby sloth for Salisbury

Kristin
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No, they’re not native to our peninsula (but wouldn’t it be cool if they were?!). Unlike most Creature Features, this one is about the newest addition to the Salisbury Zoological Park: a baby sloth, born on July 13 to two-toed sloth Buttercup and her partner Raven. 

A surprising discovery

The baby sloth–who is yet unnamed–was found during a morning check by Salisbury Zoo collection manager Ian Shelley.

“Sloths tend to sleep kind of curled up in balls, so you don’t see too clearly every morning,” Shelley said. “I was just doing morning checks one day, I saw there was a small amount of blood on the floor of their holding building, so I went and checked all of the sloths. Sure enough, clinging to the chest of one of the females was the baby.”

Baby sloth
Getting a picture of the baby sloth was difficult–they cling hard to their mothers, and since sloths tend to sleep in a curled-up position, the baby was all but buried in its mom, Buttercup.

Shelley said that the zoo is staying pretty hands-off while the mother and baby are adjusting to life together in the enclosure, which is why the baby’s sex is currently unknown. When the animal management team decides it’s time for a physical, then the baby’s sex will be revealed and, soon after, it will have a name. 

Shelley also said that while they suspected Buttercup might be pregnant, sloths don’t tend to “show” pregnancy the way humans and other mammals do. 

“Breeding them was our goal, that’s why we brought Raven down as part of the two-toed sloth species survival plan, he was sent here and recommended to breed with our females,” he said. “It wasn’t an enormous surprise, but we weren’t able to predict exactly when it was going to be.”

Raven the sloth
This is Raven, the baby’s father. The baby is thought to be both Raven and Buttercup’s first offspring.

The life of a sloth baby

Sloth baby is still nursing, and while it’s starting to experiment with solid foods, most of its sustenance comes from its mother. 

Sloths are nocturnal, so most of their time during the day is spent in their indoor holding pen.

sloth
…Maybe that’s why they weren’t so keen on waking up to have their pictures taken (although Shelley did compensate them with a big bucket of fruit for lunch). 

“Right now I’ve only actually seen the baby outside during the day on one occasion,” Shelley said. “The mother was trucking along on a branch and some visitors were able to observe mom and baby together.”

He says he can tell that the baby has ventured outside on more than one occasion, as he’ll perform morning checks and see that the baby is wet from nighttime rain showers. Unfortunately, because sloths are nocturnal and the baby is usually clinging to its mother’s side, visitors aren’t likely to see the sloth family outside during the day.

“Sloths are always extremely popular, which is complicated solely by the fact that a lot of people don’t see them,” Shelley said.

Sloth
Pictured above is the zoo’s other female sloth. The baby mostly clings to Buttercup, but sometimes it’ll switch off between the two.

What’s next for the zoo

Don’t be too disappointed if you can’t catch a glimpse of the zoo’s latest addition–there are plenty of other exhibits featuring animals that range from alpacas to Andean bears. Plus, the zoo throws some pretty cool events, too. 

On August 31, the zoo will host a “Give a hoot!” fundraiser with food, beer, wine and live music. Admission is free, but donations are encouraged in order to repair the owl enclosure that was damaged after a tree fell on it during a recent storm. 

Bird
Birds need homes, too! (This one was squawking and peeking in the window of the sloth enclosure.)

How to make the most of the last days of summer

Kristin
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Step 1: Be in Ocean City.

That’s really the most important step. Once you get here, everything else will fall into place. There’s the beach and the boardwalk and all the places to eat and drink and play—you already know that if you’ve ever been here before!—but there’s also a number of really cool, unique events going on in these final dog days of summer that’ll keep you busy and have you forgetting that it’ll soon be time to go back to work and school. Click on the event headings for details. 

Hotel Week

8/27 – 9/10

You’re going to want to save some money and vacation on the cheap, of course, so take advantage of the upcoming Hotel Week deals. You’ll be surprised what kind of bargains–and amazing views!–you’ll find this year. Check out our guide here. 

El Galeon

til 8/30

You better get down here fast! El Galeon is only going to be here until the 27th, and the 17th century replica ship is a must-see (not to mention a ginormous, how-could-you-not-see) of the Atlantic. Check out our photoblog here. 

Free outdoor Hamlet

8/31 – 9/23

Hamlet
Local theater troupe Brown Box Theatre will be putting on free, outdoor performances of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, all over Delmarva from the parks of Ocean City to Main Street in Berlin.

Beard & Mustache Competition 

9/8

Beard competition
This one’s on the quirkier side, but it’s sure to be a super fun and interesting time. Not to mention the event is for charity, and collecting items like toilet paper, paper towels and garbage bags for Diakonia Inc. The 3rd Annual Beard & Mustache Competition will be held at the 28th St. Pit & Pub, where beards will be judged in categories including longest, wildest, softest, fakest, worst-groomed, best-groomed and best in show. 

Brews on the Beach

9/9

…And if you couldn’t get enough beards at the Bearded Man fundraiser, Shore Craft Beer’s annual Brews on the Beach festival is happening the next day, on September 9. Stick your toes in the sand and kick back with samples of delicious, local craft beer. Check out the website here. 

…And more 

Ice cream
There are other fun (and mostly free and family-friendly!) things to do in Ocean City as the summer comes to an end, so check out our events page and start planning your final trip of the season.

This post was updated 8/28/17. 

The best week to visit Ocean City

Kristin
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0

Okay, obviously every week is the best week to visit Ocean City, but if you want to treat yourself to an inexpensive vacation that won’t break the bank (who doesn’t want that?), there is a best time to come to the beach. This year, that time is between August 27 and September 10: a time to wrap up your summer vacation, take in what might be the last exceptionally warm days of the season and relax with your toes in the sand. And save money. That’s important, too.

It’s almost Ocean City Hotel Week. 

What is Hotel Week? 

Technically it’s Ocean City Hotel *Two Weeks, but that name doesn’t really roll off the tongue as well. It’s two of the last weeks of summer where hotels and motels in the area offer up their best deals and discounts of the season to encourage you to visit from the end of August to the early days of September. You can find bargain-priced lodging and even get a free night’s stay at participating hotels; just check out all the deals on the Hotel Week website right here. 

What is there to do during this particular week?

If great deals and beach bargain prices haven’t convinced you to book a few nights in Ocean City, maybe all the events happening in town during those two weeks will. Many of the events listed below are family-friendly and free, and most are the last ones of the season. 

Sundaes in the Park (8/27, 9/3): Enjoy live music, make-your-own sundaes (for a small fee) and fireworks at the last two Sundaes in the Park of the summer. The upgraded fireworks show is sure to end the season with a *bang!* 

Concerts on the Beach (8/30): It’s the last concert on the beach this summer, right at the heart of the beach and boardwalk at the Caroline Street Stage. Bring a blanket or chair and listen to free live music from 8 to 9:30 p.m. 

Movies on the Beach at 118th Street (8/30): The last free, family-friendly movie night will take place, weather permitting, at 8:30 p.m. Just bring a beach blanket and maybe some popcorn. 

Sunset Park Party Nights (8/31): Watch the sun set over the Isle of Wight Bay while enjoying live music and refreshments from approximately 7 to 9 p.m.   

Labor Day Movie Night (9/2): Just like Movies at the Beach, but at Northside Park at 7 p.m. 

100 Nights of Lights (til 9/4): Since late May, colored lights have been illuminating the sky and the sand by the Inlet every night. Labor Day is your last chance to see the spectacle, from 9 to 11 p.m.

Brown Box Theatre’s Hamlet (9/8 – 9/10): Free outdoor Shakespeare at Northside Park on the 8th and Sunset Park on the 10th. Fun for the whole family (especially if they find fun in murder and treason). 

Brews on the Beach (9/9): This one’s a bit more geared toward the adult crowd, but the oldest craft beer festival in Ocean City is taking place on September 9 from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m., right on the beach. Enjoy local beer, music and food. 

Now that most schools in the region don’t start back up until after Labor Day (September 4), there’s all the more reason to bring the kids for one last hurrah on the beach. 

How can I snag the best deals possible? 

Plan your trip ahead of time and do some research–it’ll pay off in the end, literally. Our Ocean City forums are a good place to start. Locals and tourists post about their favorite places to eat, sleep and have fun, and a common topic that comes up time and time again is where to do these things on a shoestring budget. Whether you’re looking for a cheap restaurant or deals on mini golf, you can just choose your category and narrow down your results by searching key terms (i.e. “cheap,” “budget,” “save money”). 

We also have discount gift certificates and guides like this one (sadly, some of those summer events have already passed, but it’s a helpful guide if you plan on coming back during the off-season–which, by the way, is another way to vacation cheaply during the colder months). 

Watching the eclipse in Ocean City + your eclipse pics

Kristin
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0

It’s not uncommon to see crowds of people donned in sunglasses walking the Ocean City boardwalk, but it is a little strange when almost every. person. there. has shades on. But Monday was an event and an occasion that no one wanted to miss, and that meant wearing protective eye gear, or else staring down into a cardboard box. The solar eclipse of August 21, 2017 was the first to span the lower United States in decades, and everyone in Ocean City was pretty psyched. 

Our pictures

Eclipse sign
A friendly reminder from the Town of Ocean City. 
Eclipse viewers
Not everyone came equipped with special filtered glasses… Those who didn’t used unconventional methods, like several pairs of sunglasses stacked together, to look at the sun. 
Cereal box
Or cereal boxes-turned-pinhole-projectors. This one was shared among strangers, which was a common theme on Monday: people coming together to share glasses or projectors, ooh-ing and aw-ing at the sky, united in a shared interest of the spectacular natural phenomenon. 
Pringles can
And the creativity of the pinhole projectors really knew no bounds.
Eclipse
The sky was a pale blue-gray on Monday, but the filter placed over the lens of the camera turned the sky pitch black and colored the moon a glowing orange. 

Your pictures

We asked readers to share their photos from the solar eclipse, and they didn’t let us down. Here’s just a few of the pictures that were submitted. 

By Gina Ruminski
By Leesa Walker in Wallops, Virginia
By Kristyn Rinaldi-Rodriguez at the 74th street beach
By Jenna Lynn Cottet in Seaford, Delaware
By Shelly Shirk, taken on a Canon with a solar filter
By Jessica-Angel Jones (In Frederick, Maryland, but still very cool!)
Jeanna Homick looking at the eclipse from the deck of the Dunes Manor Hotel.

Creature Feature: Dolphin watching on the Shore

Kristin
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Probably the most popular animals to frequent the Ocean City region, dolphins are a favorite of both children and adults, capturing our hearts with their creaky door-sounding calls and magnificent leaps into the air. Here’s your place to learn more about the mammals that call our ocean home. 

A glance at the Atlantic bottlenose

The dolphins that you’ll find off the coast of Delmarva are of the Atlantic bottlenose species. They travel in pods of approximately 10-30 members, which is why you’ll often see so many at once if you’re treated to a sighting while in Ocean City. These dolphins inhabit warm and temperate seas, so they’ll live anywhere except the Arctic and Antarctic Circle regions and will often travel south for the winter. They eat prey fish, which they hunt for in groups or individually by using echolocation, meaning they emit signals out into their environment and listen to the echoes of these signals to identify objects near them. 

Bottlenose dolphins are majestic and highly intelligent creatures, and luckily for us, they’ve been known to spend their summers in Ocean City just as we do. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to swim with dolphins during your time in OC (unless you swim out about 200 feet into the ocean, but that’s not highly recommended). The Marine Mammal Act of 1972 prohibits swimming with dolphins in most states in order to protect the safety of humans and animals alike. However, there are plenty of opportunities here to at least look at the beautiful sea creatures–dolphin watching is a much-loved pastime of locals, tourists and animal lovers from far and wide.

Where’s the best spot to dolphin watch?

Generally, anywhere with a view of the ocean is a good place to look for dolphins. If that’s one of your priorities while in OC, definitely book yourself an oceanfront hotel room on an upper floor with a balcony view of the Atlantic. Several years ago, “whale/dolphin watching” was a thread on our forum, and a number of users shared where they were in Ocean City when they saw a pod of dolphins swim by. (Sadly, it’s unlikely that you’ll ever see a whale floating around–dolphin sightings are your best bet, and you might occasionally spot seals passing through as well.) Here’s what people had to say:

“I stayed at 116th Street last summer and I could see dolphins from my balcony just about every day.” –peteanddebbieward

“See dolphins in Assawoman Bay all the time. They follow the boat and jump the wakes.” –hapnstance

“One of the best views I ever had of dolphins was at The Frog Bar (I believe it was still OC Frogs at the time). I was having dinner with my folks there right around sunset in August, and a bunch of dolphins were making their way through the Inlet toward the Bay. They have binoculars at the bar for patrons to use, so we got really good views.” –Kds53098

“Frog Bar is great. I remember one time see a whole school of dolphins charging out of the inlet back to sea against an incoming tide. It was a sight to see, especially if you know how strong those tidal waters can be at the inlet.” –Ibo

A few tips

Here’s some of the advice that I can offer when it comes to seeking out dolphins:

  • Many OC visitors have reported seeing dolphins in the morning, but don’t wake up early for that reason alone–dolphins are active throughout the day and are just as likely to be spotted at noon or in the evening. 
  • It’s also been said quite often that a ride on ocean-traversing speed boats like the Sea Rocket will inevitably lead to spotting a pod of dolphins. 
  • Bring binoculars! Whether you’re on a condo balcony or out on the water, a pair of binoculars will help you get the best view. 
  • On a personal note, I once went parasailing when I was about 9 years old, and while up in the sky I saw several dolphins swimming and jumping in the water beneath my feet. That’s definitely one of my most magical Ocean City memories. 
Some people watch for dolphins as part of their job or volunteer duty. Every year, National Aquarium staff and volunteers take part in the Maryland Dolphin Count in order to identify dolphin populations, reproduction rates and ocean health. (Photo courtesy of the National Aquarium) 

Fast facts

A few fun pieces of trivia about the dolphins that live in our waters. 

  • The longest-living bottlenose dolphin in human care was named Nellie, and she lived to be 61 years old. (1953-2014)
  • Bottlenose dolphins have the second largest encephalization of any mammal on Earth–that’s amount of brain mass in relation to the total body mass–with humans possessing the largest. This contributes to their exceedingly high intelligence and emotional awareness.
  • The deepest dive for any dolphin to make was 300 feet deep and was accomplished by a U.S. Navy-trained dolphin named Tuffy. 
  • If you frequent the Chesapeake Bay region, there’s an app called Chesapeake DolphinWatch that scientists encourage you to utilize. By using the app to mark the location of your Chesapeake Bay dolphin sighting, you’ll help scientists uncover what’s currently unknown, including how often dolphins come into the bay, how long they spend there and what areas of the Bay they frequent.  
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