Over 80 degrees the second week of March? You bet I’ve had the beach on the brain. So last week, I planned a trip, invited some friends and we all took the quick 45 minute jaunt outside of the beltway to Sandy Point State Park. It’s on the West side of the Bay Bridge, and offers such a cool view of the massive (and in my case, terror inducing) structure!
Of course, since it was right on the way, we had to stop in at Cakes and Confections Bakery in Annapolis. This place is a total hidden gem, randomly dropped into an unsuspecting neighborhood. I happened upon it to ask for directions one day a couple years ago, and couldn’t wait to get back. It is a perfect spot to grab some sandwiches and treats for the beach picnic.
Milo and his cute friend Henry were pretty excited about the beach, but even more excited about the pile of cookies we bought to take with us to the beach!
The chocolate dipped coconut macaroons are the best I’ve ever had. And I love coconut macaroons, so that is saying something. In fact, my friend Elizabeth (total foodie) told me she was pretty skeptical of my emphatic superlative, but once she took a bite, she looked and me and said “This really is the best macaroon I’ve ever had!” Chewy, sweet-but-not-too-sweet, tiny bit of extra bite on the crust. Delicious.
The beach is such a great playground for kids. My three friends and I got to chat and enjoy the sunshine, while the young ones dug holes and splashed in the water and collected sticks.
I think Milo found the biggest one…
The two babies, Eliot and Finn, were troopers. Once we popped up the umbrella and scattered some toys, they stayed pretty out of trouble, and only ate a couple handfulls of sand. A successful beach trip, I’d say!
While we all wore street clothes, after a couple hours we decided that swimwear for the kids is best on the beach, even if they’re not going too far into the water. They all were pretty wet and sandy, and totally deliriously happy.
Mom’s were happy, too. It’s amazing what a daycation can do for your mood. I have felt such a breath of fresh air in my life after realizing that it’s easy to take a day to explore my nearby surroundings and enjoy them as if I were a giddy tourist.
Rather than stay and eat near the Beach, Elizabeth and I decided to head back home to DC and try a new burger joint, Burger Tap & Shake. She had heard high reviews, and I am always up for a good burger!
The Southern Comfort Burger was divine. A fried green tomato, Vidalia onions, bread and butter pickles and the most interesting and wonderful pimento cheese (a sort of creamy, spicy spread that I could eat by the spoonful) piled onto a most satisfyingly juicy patty, all sandwiched between a soft , eggy bun…I mean, how could you go wrong?
We arrived home delightfully sweaty, sandy, and stuffed.
This daycation thing is pretty awesome. In case you missed them, we’ve been to Philly and Charlottesville, too!
What is your favorite daycation spot?
