Good evening y’all!!

Here in Ocean City, it’s a perfect 82 degrees (as it has been, basically, for the entire day).  My sleep last night… was perfect.  I had both windows open, and the sea breeze crosses my room in all the right ways.  I woke up feeling well rested, despite staying up until almost 2 am last night (which is equivalent to pulling an all nighter for normal humans, as I have the sleeping schedule of people who qualify for the 10% Harris Teeter Senior Citizen Discount).  When my mom asked if I wanted to go for a bike ride to the boards for some breakfast, how could I say no?  I mean, come on…. I’m a sucker for alliteration.

I got all dolled up (read: workout gear, suntan lotion, sneaks, and sunglasses) and was ready.  Inevitably, I was mocked for bringing a small backpack, but GUESS WHO WASN’T COMPLAINING WHEN THEY NEEDED ME TO CARRY THEIR JUNK?  That’s right, both of them.

The Ocean City New Jersey Boardwalk is 2.5 miles long, and we biked from our house which is a mile beyond the start, to the finish, and back.  A nice 8 mile bike ride was the right way to start the day, though I’ll admit, these ol’ legs of mine haven’t ridden that long in some time.  Luckily, we had a pit stop in the middle.

Clancy’s by the Sea has breakfast, lunch, and dinner right on the boards.  At first look, I was a little taken aback by the prices, but it’s pretty much par for course in a beach town, so I quickly calmed down.  I ordered 2 scrambled eggs, home fries, rye toast, and a side of bacon, a perfect combination of foods for a savory breakfast.  My mother ordered the same, only with sausage, no bacon.  Her sausage was served big and juicy, my bacon was crisp.  Kiley, my little sister, ordered the silver dollar chocolate chip pancakes, which were sweet and delightful.

Our initial service was pretty basic, and not too bad.  Then, all the sudden, we got our meals.  Well, I should say, we got MOST of our meals.  What was missing?

Toast.

Feel free to watch this to find out how Chloe Sevigny feels about toast.  You won’t be disappointed (unless you hate laughter. or love Chloe Sevigny.)

Anyway, both my mother and I are not fans of eating eggs sans toast, so we waited patiently.  Too patiently, I think, as it took just long enough for our eggs to get cold for our requested toast to come out.  Blast.

My first thought was WOW THIS FOOD IS GREAT! It took a moment to realize, “Wow.  this food is decent, but I’m so hungry that wood chips would taste like creme brulee.”  Either way, the toast situation was a bummer, but the food hit the spot that needed to be hit, and we needed to get back onto the boards.  After finishing our ride at a little faster pace than we started, I jumped in the shower and to grandmother’s house we went (literally.)

I don’t get to see my Naney very often, and she’s my only living grandparent left, so it’s always fun to see her/catch her up!  We also always get to indulge in a very special treat.

Mallon’s Sticky Buns, yet another insane indulgence in Ocean City, New Jersey.  They’re a total treat, if you’re anywhere near Sea Isle, Avalon, or Ocean City, try them if you like sweet breakfast treats!! Check out the Mallon’s Locations for more deets.

While these were divine, there was another part of the trip that was the true highlight.  Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you my daddy, circa Christmas early 1950s:

Seeing this picture was, much like the rest of this trip, perfect.

I’m off to have some perfect buffalo chicken dip, some perfect burgers, and a few perfect beers.

Do you LOVE blasts from the pasts as much as I do?

Was your dad as fashionable of a dresser as mine?