Day 6 (Friday) - Bikes and Long Last Looks

No beach trip ever lasts long enough and sadly we decided to wrap up a day early and head home.   But before our long drive home, there were still a few things to do!  Once again, for me, I got up, did a short workout in the gym, grabbed a coffee and strolled the boardwalk.  It was a big gray this morning but the weather forecast was changing by the hour.  One thing was clear and that was a massive storm was moving east and up the coast where we were.

Jill and Jake slept in a bit longer this morning while Jen attended a few more conference sessions.   We didn't get a chance to actually see the pier or get some fishing in this week.  The pier was about a 1.5 miles away so why not take a bike.  Better yet, take a bike car.  But before that trip we made the hard decision to leave a day early.  So Jake and I headed to the car and began getting the stuff packed up.

Once we were all together the four of us rented a bike car and off we went.  It was quite the experience!  Pedaling, braking, turning....all in good fun.  Jake hopped into the drivers seat and we were off.  We actually rode down to the pier and parked (making sure not to run anyone over).

The pier experience is another beach tradition of ours.  Although not a sunny day, the smell of saltwater and fishing is a uniquely beach thing.  You see kids, adults and seniors all trying to catch their dinners.  You listen in on all the 'fish' tales about what they didn't catch and why.  Once we walked the pier, we loaded back up and made a stop around 22nd street to grab a few souvenirs.  We gathered up t-shirts, fudge, and taffy along this bike-car trip and then made it back to the hotel to have one last lunch at Catch 31 in the Hilton Hotel.   Jill had her first hush puppy appetizer and we all filled up before the drive home.

Our last official beach stop was to be a walk to Duck Donuts to grab a dozen to take back home.  This was Jake's first time seeing how they got done and how to pick out your designs.

I often like to take one last long look and think.  We are blessed to be able to have great vacation but they also mark the passage of time.  Next beach trip we are will all be 2 year older.  Will we travel with as much beach toys?  Will we want to body surf?  Fly kites?  Walk piers?  Eat beach treats? ....the answer of course.....YES.

See ya at the beach in 2019!!