By Maddy Vitale
Carolyn Appleton and her son, Luke, of Levittown, Pa., packed everything they thought they’d need for a day at the beach in Ocean City: board games, a paddle board and sticky ball, a beach tent, towels, sun protection and snacks.
“I have been coming here since 1988,” Appleton said Sunday afternoon.
She and 15-year-old Luke surveyed the packed Ninth Street beach before settling on a spot.
After plopping down their belongings, they put up the beach tent.
The Appletons didn’t have to worry about buying beach tags so they avoided the lines.
“We won season beach tag passes at last year’s craft festival,” Carolyn Appleton said. “I never win anything, so I was really surprised.”
The plan was to get as much beach time in as possible before the end of the season. The Appletons have come to Ocean City about six times so far year.
“We are trying to use it as much as we can and with the summer ending, we probably will use it another three times,” Carolyn Appleton said.
Like the Appletons, other vacationers and residents took advantage of the beautiful beach day. The Boardwalk was filled with bikers and people who strolled along, stopping to grab a frosty drink or ice cream. Others took advantage of the end-of-summer sales in local shops.
Takisha Jones, of Ridley Township, Pa., brought her sons Tyrone, 4, and EJ, 7, for some Boardwalk amusements. Her sister, Annette Ford, of Delaware, also came along for an enjoyable day at the beach.
Tyrone was ready for a dip in the ocean, but his brother had a different idea.
“I want to go in the Mirror Maze,” EJ shouted.
“We wanted to do the Boardwalk and the beach,” Takisha Jones said while waiting in line for beach tags. “We probably will only come down one of two more times before the end of the season.”
Some tourists had the advantage of staying longer than a day. The Devlin and Vincent families from Pennsylvania and northern New Jersey set up a beach tent, relaxed, chatted and nibbled on some snacks.
The cousins arrived on Saturday and had plans during their weeklong visit to go bike riding, fishing and jet skiing.
But first they hit the beach.
“This is the third year we are doing this,” said Kathy Devlin, of Abington, Pa. “It is just such a wonderful, family-friendly place.”
Vet Vincent, 5, of Hopatcong, Sussex County, enjoyed some relaxation. He fell asleep, donning dark shades while holding a mini-bag of potato chips.
For some, the trip to “America’s Greatest Family Resort” is a tradition. But for 10-month-old Harper Keller, of Sicklerville, Camden County, it was her first Ocean City excursion.
The infant was dressed in her summer best, including a pink, floppy hat.
“We come every year. We love Ocean City,” said Harper’s mom, Leann Keller. “She seems to be enjoying it.”
