Trip Report Oct. 6-10

Let me start by saying that this is the best trip we ever had to OC. This is gonna be long but we had such a good time I can%26#39;t help but spill the details.

We (my sister and our husbands) decided to stick with our original plan of going to OC without reservations. Glad we did. We tried the Holiday Inn on 17th street first and ended up with a very nice southern view suite for $89.00 a night. The hotel was nice and we have no complaints at all. The view from our room was great. See and hear the ocean, the city skyline, and the bay. Even though they were filled up we never had any problems with parking or elevators. Will probably stay hear from now on.

It%26#39;s a tradition for us on the first night arriving in OC we go to buy snacks and liquor and then relax in the room and order pizza. Ordered from Pizza Tugos (have had before) and the pizza and wings were great. It was just odd that they were right next door and it took and hour to get our order to us. No big deal.

For off season there seemed to be a lot going on. There was traffic (not at all like in summer) and hotels seemed to be filling up due to the car show coming in at the end of the week. Most rest. and mini golf and such were open.

Second day we wanted to eat breakfast at Layton%26#39;s wich was right across the street, we could see it from our balcony and it looked really crowded and busy so we say a sign at the Spinnaker Cafe next door for a buffett for 8.95. First clue, no on was there. Got inside was informed no buffet today. Since it was just breakfast decided to stay and order from menu. Sister wanted an omellete with bacon and veggies and the guys and I wanted the creamed chip beef on biscuits. Server came to take order uh oh no chipped beef. Had to settle for sausage gravy instead. When orders came all was very good. Biscuits were light and fluffy and gravy was seasoned just right. Sister%26#39;s omellete was huge, it covered the plate and she said it was perfect.

Sis and I wanted to do some shopping so we left to hit a couple of outlets and the guys left to walk the boards and see what they could get into.

Met back at the room around 3:00 hubs wanted to try Captain%26#39;s Galley II in west OC. Food was good, service was so so. Arrived at 5:00 sharp which is the advertised Dinner start. Waited about 20 minutes to be seated along with about 10 other partys. Didn%26#39;t seem like they were prepared for dinner. Our server was effiencient but did not go out of her way. Spent most of the time fawning over a local at another table who ordered a 4lb lobster and was showing off about it.

Sis had surf and turf with a crab cake. Said there was no filling at all just lump crabmeat. I had the butterfly shrimp with salad bar. Shrimp were just right and salad bar was fresh and crisp albiet lacking in a few items. Hub had bowl of MD crab soup, salad bar and Scallops in a wine sauce. Said it was good. Brother in law had Fried Eastren Shore Seafood Platter and said it was all great and he had to take some home because it was a very generous portion of shrimp, scallops oysters, fish and a crab cake. We did not have alcohol, just iced tea, water and coffee. No desserts and bill was just over $100.

Back to hotel and just basically relaxed. Hub and I used the indoor pool, Sis worked out in the gym. Just snacked in the room, had drinks, popped some corn and watched a movie.

On Wed. my sister and I had reservations for Tea By the Sea in Berlin for 1:00 and guys went to play golf at I think it was called Man%26#39;O War. Whatever it was called they really enjoyed themselves. Let me tell you that the tearoom was great! One of the nicest things I have ever done. We had full afternoon tea with soup, salad, a selection of sweets and savories and two different kinds of tea. Everything was prepared fresh and elegantly. Beautiful victorian linens and china. They are open Wed thru Sat. and you have to make reservations ahead of time as they only prepare the food for the reservations they have that day. Explored Berlin for a little while, it looks just like it did in the movie Runaway Bride.

Met back up with the guys around 5pm and decided to try the cafe bar in the hotel for dinner. It was really good. Had some appys including the mango bruschetta, some spiced shrimp, sweet potatoe fries and we all had a bowl of cream of crab soup and banana daquires. No complaints, server was attentive and friendly. Just stuck with the soup and appetizers as no one was starving and it was a bit pricey with the drinks.

After dinner it was a dip in the pool (right at the bar) and back to relax with our terrific view on the balcony and some drinks in room.

Thursday morning had breakfast at Happy Jacks which a must do for us. As usual it was great. Server was very friendly and made us feel at home. Quick service and food good as always. I do recommend getting a combo plate as it cost just as much for 3 pancakes and a side of meat as it does to get say bacon and two eggs, homefries, and 2 pancakes as a side. If you are worried about price this is the way to go.

Next we drove to Lewes, DE and took the ferry to Cape May as foot passengers. Not really interested in Cape May just wanted the boat ride. Let me tell you it was the nicest ferry I have ever been on. Big comfy booths inside with a snack bar and three outdoor decks and a lounge on the top deck. Weather was a perfect 80 degrees and sunny. Had drinks on the top deck and throughly enjoyed ourselves. It was a 3 hour boat ride (1 1/2 hours each way) for under 20 bucks a piece. Can%26#39;t be beat.

Thursday evening we headed to Embers for All you can Eat. Buffet was nice with a lot of options and good seafood. Crab legs were really good and I swear I ate at least 5 lbs. Sat for a good couple of hours eating and carryin on. Waitress was great with drinks (beers and long island ice teas) and clearing table promptly. They were filled up but never let anything get empty or cold. It was a lot of fun.

After dinner we walked the boards for the last time and headed back to room to enjoy our last night on the balcony. We tried to extend our stay by one more night. Spoke with front desk and our room was the only room in the hotel with a vacancy for the next night. Would have been the weekend rate but we were having so much fun we didn%26#39;t care. But I couldn%26#39;t get a hold of the girl covering me at work to ask to do another night, so sadly we had to leave.

They only little complaint was that the classic cars started to roll into town on wed and thurs. It was fun to see them but they would ride up and down the strip with engines roaring late into the evening. We didn%26#39;t like the fact that we had to close the balcony door (couldn%26#39;t hear ocean) and turn air conditiong to get some sleep. But it was not enough to ruin anything and we just went with it.

Best trip ever!! Already planning to return for the Air Show in June which I hear this past year was a big success. Will miss OC until then.

Trip Report Oct. 6-10

Great trip report, sounds like a great time. That%26#39;s a great deal on the ferry ride. I think we%26#39;ll have to try that some day too.

Trip Report Oct. 6-10

glad u had so much fun. i used to live in hagerstown also!