Wednesday, July 1, 2026

Week Away (Ocean City, NJ)

 We are back from a week at the ocean. 

A few highlights:

  • I worked from the library for 2.5 days, and then had time off. For the first time in years, work was not too busy or too stressful, so I could actually enjoy time off. 
  • I brought my noise-cancelling headphones to the library - there were occasionally noisy people (not obnoxiously noisy, just mildly noisy) and I work much better when it is QUIET.
  • We saw a pod of dolphins, super close to the shore!!! That was amazing. I don't think I've ever seen dolphins that close...
  • We went on walks amost every day.
  • Kids went to a water park - they are all old enough to no longer require adult supervision. Which meant adults could relax and read books.
  • I read quite a bit.
  • The kids made frequent trips to the store (easy walking/biking distance) to pick up random things needed for dinner.
  • I made golubci (stuffed cabbage) and they were delicious. (I actually made them ahead of time at home, and brought them with me).
  • Being in the water was refreshing. It was cold, but in a good way.
  • I mostly avoided waves. I still swalled some salt water.
  • Why is the water in the Atlantic ocean so much saltier than the Baltic sea?
  • Nephew and husband both managed to find whelk. I think there were a total of 3 large ones, over the course of the week. I've never seen one before - look it up! I guess they are edible, but we just let them go.
  • Kids found some hermit crabs

It was a good week.

Do you prefer ocean, sea, lake, river, pond, or swimming pool when it's hot outside? (Let's pretend money/distance/time is not a limiting factor)

2 comments:

  1. It sounds like you had a nice break! So happy to hear you were able to relax and really enjoy your time off. And being close to the water is always fun. I love the ocean, but I’d rather swim in a pool (unless the ocean is shallow and I can see the ocean floor ;)).
    Stuffed cabbage sounds amazing. Did you just take them to heat up for dinner or did you take them to the beach as snack? (I only know stuffed cabbage as a meal for dinner.)

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  2. Oh, the Jersey shore. So many good memories of time there as a kid. I'm going to get to see the Atlantic for the first time in nearly 5 years in just a couple of weeks, and I can't wait. I'm glad the kids are old enough to not need constant supervision; it sounds like it was a wonderful mix of down time and fun for all (save the waves and swallowing water).

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