1st day in Wildwood vacation rituals

[AnthonyV]

Just curious to know what most people/families do after crossing into The Wildwoods, get to wherever it is they're staying, unpacking the car, truck, SUV, or van, for the remainder of the day or night?

[wildre]

Anthony,
Great thread idea,
Funny you should ask. I'm in a Wildwood state of mind recently. Hoping to head up there on Friday.
I'm sure I'll be speechless after seeing what's gone and the new things that have appeared over the winter. Won't arrive till close 7pm if we catch the 4:15pm Ferry.
The first thing I do, after all the necessary stuff, unpacking, visiting with the neighbors, turning on the ice maker, etc. is...getting my cafe set out on my 2nd floor porch, open bottle of wine, pouring a glass and enjoying the ocean view. The next day a walk on the boards and beach in the early morning.
Anthony, what's your routine?

re

[AnthonyV]

That sounds relaxing right about now!

We usually get down there sometime around 3 pm and always on a Friday. Since we have things like clothes already at our home it doesn't stop my wife from packng more things than we actually need. It takes about ten minutes for the entire house to look like we've been there a month already.

I might take a short walk on the beach or just walk around the neighborhoods to see whatever changes have been made - something I can't see myself doing this summer because of all the demolition. I also try to say hello to some neighbors I haven't seen for almost a year if they're around.

I usually always take my four year old nephew to the marina for a short ride on the boat for about an hour or so. Things tend to get done much faster when he and I are not in the way.

The only thing that gets done that first day is going to the liquor store (Crest Tavern a few blocks away) and then to Shop Rite on Rio Grande later when it gets dark out.

Regardless, I stilll find myself having to go to the ACME the next morning for something someone forgot, which is usually me.

[FlyinGN]

we leave in the morning and stop at the diner in cape maycourthouse on rt 9 on the way down:) Get that and unpack... Then we take a walk around the area and check thibgs out. Then we will jump in th etruck and scan the entire island. See whats changed.. see whats the same. Then we will head to the beach!. From there its back to the hotel and get cleaned up and dressed and out to dinner...

Frank

[Al Alven]

Frank, the Diner in Cape May Courthouse you go to, is that the one that has “Death by Burger” (and other similarly named delights) on the menu? I really like that diner. I believe it’s simply called the “Courthouse Diner,” if we’re thinking about the same place (Right across from the hospital, right? Apropos, with anything including the word “Death” on the menu, I suppose.).

Anyway, as much of a traditionalist as I am, I don’t know that I have any particular rituals that I strictly follow upon arriving in the Wildwoods. I guess the only thing to mention is that, within a half hour of settling in, I am always up on the Boardwalk. That hallowed stretch of wooden planks is like a magnet for me… I am eternally drawn to it, and can never stay away for long.

It isn’t uncommon for me to park at the motel, then head straight up to the Boards before doing any unpacking. I’ll leave that stuff for later, because I just can’t wait. Seeing the people up on the Boards, hearing the sounds, smelling those great, familiar scents of the whole scene, I am drawn in so quickly.

I’m a Boardwalk rat, what can I say. I can honestly say that I don’t remember the last full day I spent in the Wildwoods where I didn’t make at least one trip to the Boardwalk. If the Wildwoods are my home away from home, then the Boardwalk is the unofficial center of my universe.

[AnthonyV]

Al,

Sounds like SHORE PLAZA would be the perfect place to spend your Wildwood vacation! That way you can get the best of everything Wildwood has to offer - beach, boardwalk, classic motel, and of course the sounds of the tram cars!

[Al Alven]

Funny you should mention that, Anthony…<br>
Every year (every single year!) we talk about how cool it would be to stay at the Shore Plaza. We just never wind up looking into it. I guess, with the current state of things being as they are, we should stop talking about it and book a room soon… lest we regret the opportunity should it pass us by.

This year, we’re going back to an old favorite. We’ll be staying at the 24th Street Motel (not too far away from the Shore Plaza at all) for a few days this summer. It’s been years since we’ve staying there, but it’s a great place. I understand the 24th Street is for sale, so I am definitely going to enjoy our stay with a special perspective this year, just in case.

[FlyinGN]

thats the place Al!

Frank

[novacancy]

Ahhhh, the memories. Well, as a child we would drive to Wildwood in our bathingsuits (at least the kids would)! And, it was a 2 1/2 hour drive. We would always end up getting to our motel before the room was ready so we would go to the Copper Kettle restaurant for lunch. Does anyone remember that place? Do I have the name right...I mean I'm talking about late 60's/70's. As soon as we would check in, my brother and I would spend the remainder of the day in the pool. This would be the reason that we ALWAYS go "swimmer's ear" while on vacation, ouch! Then, we would have to re-explore our motel (even though it was small and never changed.) We would survey the vending machines and ice maker...oh the simple pleasures of childhood. Our first night we would go mini-golfing at Duffer's Challenge and have fried clams and soft ice cream (can you say triglycerides?) for dinner. This was when the place was mainly a mini-golf joint with a take out window and picnic tables, not the restaurant as it is now.

Sadly, as a parent now, my first day is spent unpacking, organizing and planning. Not quite as "free spirited" as a child...yet still, Wildwood will always evoke the child within me (I hope).

[MMM]

Go to the motel - check in - unload the car, put it on a cart (usually 2 trips) and drop "stuff" in the room. In more recent times I only unpack a few things at first and save the rest for the evening. Then go to the beach. Ahhh!