Hope you enjoy my yearly trip report. Our theme this year is...ITALIAN.


We left PA on Friday for an overnight stay in Pocomoke City, MD. This breaks the drive into two even chunks. We used to stay at a Red Roof in Virginia Beach, but once our group had their car attempted to be broken into and it isn't a good area so we tried the Holiday Inn in Pocomoke last year and it was much safer. And with covid, I prefer Holiday Inn over Red Roof. Hit Dockside Pocomoke for dinner...nothing special and everything was served in to-go material...no dishes. Weird.

Saturday- One of my favorite quotes is from that great philosopher...Ron White- "I believe when life gives you lemons, you should make lemonade...and try and find someone whose life has given them vodka, and have a party."
Yeah we go stuck in the traffic due to the wreck on the bridge so we stopped at Weeping Radish. At Tar Heel Produce, the lady recommended we go there because of the wreck. Weeping Radish was packed and with social distancing didn't make anyone in a good mood. Had a beer and some lunch then decided to move forward and hope the bridge was cleared. Sat bumper-to-bumper for about 1 hour and then things cleared up. Arrived at the house around 4:30. We had planned to hit the beach...oh well, find friends with vodka
Dinner was a challenge as well since everyone was late getting it and with take out, a nice challenge. Went to Awful Arthur's to-go window and they wouldn't sell steamed seafood (said it was a state law that they can't sell it to go). So we got some pizza from Sal's around 9:30pm.

Sunday- Hot, hot, hot. Brought my new bike with me to get some exercise in this year but I want to be up early to ride and haven't done it yet. Our part of the beach is not crowded, however a small family decided to plop down right on top of us....literally within 4-5 feet even though the beach to the left was completely empty. No worries we took our chairs down to the water. The 15 years I've been coming to OBX, we would bring a little radio or bluetooth speaker and play when no one was around us. With no one around us, we played some music that was low enough for only us to hear except....the one lady in the group next to us decided to come down and sit directly in front of us. Then she told me to get earbuds and turn the music off. Really, I really don't want to anger someone on vacation, but this lady was stirring for a confrontation. I turned it off. Find those friends with vodka
We spent the majority of the day at the pool. Adult kids are set to arrive on today.

Sorry things started out so poorly for you. That was a nasty wreck on the bridge. I got a bit confused about your dates and then re-read it and realized that you meant to type Sunday instead of Monday. I thought I had missed a day. Hope today is better and that lady is not in your space. Where are you staying?
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Little bumpy start but it should be better. Pa is steaming, you can enjoy the water to cool down. As for the rude lady - feel sorry for her, her day was not going to get any better. Miserable people love to try to make others miserable. Glad you resisted the overture to get involved. Keep us posted on your adventures!

Sorry things started out so poorly for you. That was a nasty wreck on the bridge. I got a bit confused about your dates and then re-read it and realized that you meant to type Sunday instead of Monday. I thought I had missed a day. Hope today is better and that lady is not in your space. Where are you staying?
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Sorry you've had some bumps and hope you found that vodka! I do enjoy your reports though and am looking forward to your "Italian" night! You guys sure know how to enjoy the beach. With the Shertz trip reports it's almost as if everything is back to normal - something we all need in the current circumstances, so thank you!

Time for theme night photos. Decorations.

Another of the Dining Room.

Me as Mario

My wife sporting the grape costume

Our friends daughter and boyfriend even jumped in

David the Gondolier

Carol as wine

And finally some spaghetti and meatballs

Then we made our way out onto the upper deck to wave to our friends driving up and down Rt 12. Lots of honks and we even had a van turn around and come back and moon us with a double full moon. We had several stop and take pictures which is always fun. See, life doesn’t need to be so serious

Had a rude lady tell me to move my canopy further down the beach because because it was in front of her dune deck. Years ago in Duck. Well it went back up in the same place every day that week and I never did see anyone use the dune deck.

Great report. With you and Jimmy Z there is some sense of normalcy. Hope you have a great rest of your week!

LOVE your yearly theme night!

Great costumes!

Your wife's grapes (Jeez, that sounds weird) made me think of being a TA (teaching assistant) in grad school 40 years ago. One student was from New Paltz, NY. Her dad was in advertising in NYC and had the idea of the Fruit of the Loom guys.

David the Gondolier

Lots of honks and we even had a van turn around and come back and moon us with a double full moon.

Looks like you and the rest of your group like to have fun! Enjoy. We come down this Sat. Can't wait!!!!

You guys are so hardcore! Love this! I lost it when I saw the gondolier. All the costumes are great but that one had me giggling. Hilarious! Looks like so much fun and a great way to spend a week in your happy place. Thanks for the laughs and keep on having a wonderful time!

Loved the report and all the pics. Your theme night looked awesome. Enjoy the rest of your vacation.

Great trip report Shertz! I always enjoy your different themes every year, and this years is awesome. I can picture all of you out on the deck waving to everybody. When we are there we always go up and down the beach road because it’s so beautiful and peaceful, but it would really be cool to see a group like yours all dressed up! Enjoy the rest of your time there with family and friends.

Really great to see your pics. Looks like "a good time was had by all". Being a little crazy sometimes is just what the doctor ordered. Way too much bad stuff going on. It's great to see just the silly stuff for a change!