I Do Stuff…

For the second year in a row Nancy and I went to Rehoboth Beach, DE to celebrate New Years with my Dad and his wife.  We left early on NYE so we have plenty of time to get up there and relax for a while before a long night of drinking.  After a quick settling in period it was time to start drinking and getting some food cooked.  It is a tradition to cook a good meal and then head out to a bar for a quick drink, then return back to the house to celebrate the ball dropping.

party time!

This year we changed it up a little.  We still had a great meal of grilled salmon and chicken.  Then about 10pm we headed out to the bar for a couple of drinks.  Our first stop, Fins, was for a sole purpose, Nancy and I wanted to get oyster shooters.  Last year was the first time I ever had one and we wanted to recreate that unique experience.  They infuse their vodka with all these herbs, add an oyster of your choice, with a shot of Tabasco for good measure.  I am not a real big fan, but it is a cool thing to do.  Unfortunately when we got there they were closing down the place.  They had taken last call and were cleaning up.  Who ever heard of a bar closing at 10pm on new years eve?

Undaunted we headed to a second watering hole.  One we knew would be open and would be happy to take our money.  That place was Dos Locos further down on Rehoboth Avenue.  This place was very lively, packed, and ready to ring in the new year.  It was so packed we almost didn’t get a table, fortunately a couple was leaving and we took their table to crowd around.  We even got our old waiter from last year, Jeff, and he actually remembered us.  It was great to be back at the place.  We even got necklaces and party hats again.  I got the “special” one saying “Happy New Year.”  All it cost me was a pinch on the butt, a small price to pay for such a luxury.  After the first round we talked and decided to stick around for New Years.  At midnight we had a champagne toast to ring in the new year, the place was a mad house.

recovery time

Shortly after midnight we headed back to the house in the blistering cold weather, that was not a fun walk.  But with all of us being slightly drunk, and “feeling” warm, it was not that bad.  Once back at the house it was a few more hours of drinks, dancing, and conversation.  Also the always popular drunk calling to all our family and friends.  I was able to take a lot of great pictures, most of which my family would kill me if I posted, but they are so funny to look at.

The next morning came early for all of us.  But we powered through it with a good breakfast and lots of coffee.  Since we all took Friday off we were in no hurry to get back home.  We could just relax for a change on new years day.  For the most part we didn’t leave the house.  Simply cooked food, watched a little tv, and got things done around the house.  Even though it was a vacation, it was a working vacation.  Every time we are up at the house in the off season we take the opportunity to prep for the summer rental season.

let it snow, let it snow

For Friday we actually ventured out of the house for the first time.  We also got the hot water heater fixed early that morning.  It was the first hot shower I had in days and made getting up and out so much easier.  It was a day filled with some shopping for the most part.  With all the great deals and no taxes in DE, what a perfect time to spend some money.  On the way back it even started to snow.  And not just a little flurry that didn’t stick, no actual large flakes of snow that stuck to the ground.  When we finally get home I was so excited to get out and walk around.  With it being the first snow fall of this year I am excited for more, a lot more, like feet more.

By the late afternoon Nancy, my uncle and I walked down to the beach.  Not a good time to sun on the sand or get into the water, but still nice to walk around.  It’s is something to see the beach with snow on it.  I never really think about something like that but it does happen, I have the pictures to prove it.  With it being the late afternoon the sun was setting fast and the wind was back with a vengeance.  So after a quick walk it was back to the house for us all for another fine meal.

walk on the beach

Our final day was a quick one, get up, clean, and drive home.  With it only being Saturday there was still one day left in the weekend to enjoy before it was back to the grind and the start of a new year.  What a great weekend it was, even without hot water for most of it.  Got to spend time with my family away from home.  Ate good home cooked food, got a little shopping done, survived a mini blizzard and even got a little walking done despite the severe cold and howling wind.  Can’t wait till next year.