Sometimes, I just need a day (or two) at the beach to reset. I grew up taking for granted long summer stays near the Atlantic Ocean. We had a family beach house that my dad built back in the early 80s and for 40 years, I had access to the sand and waves whenever I wanted it. With the house now several years out of our hands, I realized one day recently that what I needed was to get a quick change of scenery and head down to the ocean!
I'm in that sandwich generation, with a young grown son who still relies on his mom for some support as he finishes school, but also aging parents who I have been caring for these past 5 to 6 years. That doesn't leave much "me time", and I'm slowly learning that I need to seize opportunities - however small they may be - to carve out some time to enjoy myself. Last week was one of those small moments.
I decided on a last-minute booking at a hotel in Ocean City, MD that included some of my favorite amenities: a water view, a pool, and walkability to good restaurants. I stayed at The Princess Bayside Hotel. Ocean City is a barrier island with the Atlantic Ocean on one side, and the Assawoman Bay on the other. While I grew up staying on the ocean side, I opted to try staying on the bay, on which the hotel is located. It was absolutely beautiful, and I loved having a balcony right on the water. One of the hotel amenities is water sports, so from my balcony, I enjoyed watching folks paddleboard, kayak, paddleboat, and swim from the hotel's private beach area. In the evening, I got to see terrific sunsets over the bay.
Although this was a short, two-day stay, it was so therapeutic for me to swim in the pool, sit on the beach and watch the seagulls and waves, enjoy the sea breeze, and people-watch. I listened to music, put my toes in the sand, and tuned out the world. I visited local restaurants that were part of our summer traditions and ate all the foods I grew up loving. Tacos, ice cream, saltwater taffy, soft shell crabs, corn on the cob, and bagels.
I was sad to leave so quickly, but it reminded me what is important in life, and that in addition to taking care of my crew, it's important to take care of me, too.
I like to include a little recommendation in each of my posts, and I'm loving my new 40-oz Stanley Tumbler I received for my birthday. I highly recommend it for the pool or beach!
Safe travels...
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