4 nights/5 days back in Ocean City, Maryland: One of our favorite places on the East Coast!
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| Sunrise at Ocean City, Maryland |
For those of you who have been following this blog for awhile, Ocean City Maryland, was the first location we stayed in using Airbnb, following our early retirement in 2020. Back then, we were trying to adapt as best we can to our new chapter in our lives.
We didn’t really know what early retirement would be like, nor did we know how we would spend our time. One thing we did know for certain was the idea of traveling throughout this great country called the United States of America.
We had visited Ocean City previously and found it a cool place with a beautiful beach, ocean, and plenty of things to do. Of course, back when we did our month long AirBnB there, we still had our Pomeranian Toby with us.
It was a month of us trying to make sense of early retirement, of how we were going to live day by day, and how we can live more fulfilling and stress less lives. As tough as first days were adjusting to our new lives, by the second week into our stay, we started to get the hang of it.
We took frequent walks to the famed Ocean City boardwalk, with or without our fur baby, and we also walked along the bayside of Ocean City, marveling at the stupendous, breathtaking sunsets. We realized life, as it always had been, and will always be, exactly what we make of it!
Enjoying our daily routine, of waking up when we want to with the brightening sun in the morning, without the need of an alarm clock reminding us to get up to get ready for dreaded work, or taking leisurely walks along the boardwalk, was the way we found peace and happiness in our early retirement.
Ocean City was where we got to spend quality time with our Toby, every day. Had we known then that we would only have another year and a half with our baby, maybe we could‘ve given him more hugs and kisses. Of course hindsight is always 20/20.
We sometimes wish we could’ve done something different but in reality we were doing the best we could under the circumstances. No one knows the future, and there’s no need to berate ourselves for the past.
What’s important is that we got to spend another year and a half together, slow traveling together and spending quality time as best we could. What more can we ask for?
That month of October (2020) was the start of our early retirement lives, a new chapter for all of us. It was a time of uncertainty, but it was also a time of great joy, as we finally got off the rat race to live the way we always dreamed about.
Ocean City has had a very special place in our hearts ever since then, and we longed to get back there. It took some time (3 years and 4 months), but we finally went back there. For our second visit since our early retirement, we stayed for 4 nights/5 days at the Hilton Garden Inn Oceanfront.
Hilton Garden Inn Oceanfront features rooms all with oceanfront views and it sits one block north of the boardwalk, between 28th and 29th streets. Besides the fantastic location of the hotel, there is also the popular restaurant right within the hotel, making our lives that much more convenient and enjoyable.
On the morning of February 5th, we left Hampton Inn in Williamsburg, Virginia for Ocean City. The drive would take roughly 4 hours at a distance of 181 miles. It would take us over the awesome Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, a 17.6 mile long road that takes you over the Chesapeake Bay.
I consider this road to be one of the best man made infrastructure projects in the country. Every time we cross it, I’m in awe of how the engineers were able to build a road on top of what looks to be an ocean (not a bay)!
I highly recommend driving this road. It always reminds us of US Route 1 along Key West, Florida. Not as harrowing as that, but on a windy and rainy day, it can be just as scary seeing the waters trying to jump over onto the road!
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| The harrowing Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel |
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| Feels like you’re driving in the middle of an ocean |
We crossed over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel in just over 20 minutes at a distance of about 17 miles. We really enjoyed the wonderful views of the bay, but we felt kind of relieved at seeing land after being on the waters for 20 minutes!
We continued trekking along the popular Route 13 north, then took Route 113 to get into Ocean City. The leisurely pace of these roads is something we don’t ever take for granted. It is almost a perfect drive along America’s east coast, sensing the vast ocean just few miles on our right.
We arrived around 3 o’clock at our hotel, the Hilton Garden Inn Oceanfront. The hotel is just a block from the northern end of the famous Ocean City boardwalk. The location is just about perfect, being away from the hustle & bustle of the busy boardwalk, but just close enough to be in the middle of all the fun.
Unfortunately, we couldn’t check in at 3, so we waited about an hour inside our car. When we did finally check in, we were pleasantly surprised by the cleanliness of the hotel, the room, and even the excellent restaurant.
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| King bed, corner unit at Hilton Garden Inn Oceanfront |
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| Loved this couch |
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| Sun was starting to set |
The king bed, corner room was beautiful! We got our first free upgrade at the Hilton hotel since signing up as a Hilton Rewards member, and it was great. We had a very private end unit and our room had a small window with views of Ocean City looking towards south and west. Nice!
Once we settled in, we walked outside the balcony to check out the views. Views were incredible, and it made us really appreciate the ocean and all its beauty.
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| First night at the hotel, enjoying the sunset |
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| The views on our second day |
Thanks to Hilton giving us a food & beverage credit of $20 (for the two of us) for being a Gold Rewards Member per day, we used those credits towards dinner at the excellent Solstice Bar & Grill. We ate there 4 times as the food was so good.
Twice, it was at the bar during their happy hour (discounted foods and drinks!), and the other two times, it was in their dining area. The views from either spots offer incredible ocean views. Who can say no to good food & drinks while enjoying beautiful ocean views???
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| Happy hour menu |
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| Lobby area, Hilton Garden Inn Oceanfront |
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| Right outside the restaurant |
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| Dining area, Solstice Bar & Grill |
After dinner (or happy hour), we retired for the night, and got good night’s sleep on our first night there. The soothing sounds of waves gently lapping the shores made for a relaxing, rejuvenating sleep. We would enjoy that cool, relaxing sound of waves for the next few days.
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| Looking west during sunset |
It was the first trip in recent memory where we did absolutely nothing. It was a true “sleepcation”, where we checked in to a hotel then got some rest while doing nothing but eat, drink, and relax. We didn’t mind that at all, after driving and exploring so many places up until then.
We realized there, how much we loved the ocean, even during the winter. Just seeing, listening, and feeling that ocean made us relax, and to really appreciate the moment.
We always talk about living for the moment and to live without regrets. Well, we were doing that right then and there. This was one of the primary reasons why we retired early.
We figured out how to live with less, to enjoy the little moments, and to spend lot more time with loved ones. We don’t live forever, and it’s a good time to do the things you always wanted to do. We’re living the way we want to right now. For that, we’re grateful…
In conclusion:
We had no idea just being in front of the ocean was so much fun. We didn’t go sightseeing, hiking, or do any of our usual activities, but it didn’t matter.
We loved doing absolutely nothing at all for those 4 nights/5 days at the hotel. Ocean, ever changing ocean, was never boring. We loved seeing different colors of the sky throughout the day, and we loved seeing ever changing wildlife right from the comforts of our hotel balcony.
Oh, and don’t forget about the waves, always in the background like a movie soundtrack. Mesmerizing, soothing, and beautiful, all at the same time…
Doing nothing was, rejuvenating! We had a great time and we hope to do that in our future travels.
Thank you for reading and happy trails!
Jake
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