Life's A Beach: Part 3 (The Finale)

So HOW do you make a 3-day vacation to the shore last longer? Take a whole week to blog about it! HAHAHAHA. Day 3 was a sad one....but only because we had to leave! While most of the gang hit the white sandy beaches one last time, Darci, Rachel and I headed out on our own adventure: exploring Cape May on bikes! And what an adventure it was. We rode all over the area, and decided on the NEXT trip to 'the Cape', bikes were the way to go the ENTIRE time! The highlight of our trip was our stop to check out Congress Hall - a beautiful hotel and meeting center in the little downtown area. Here's what their website boasts:

"Providing hospitality since 1816, Congress Hall is a haven of relaxed elegance, fun, historic charm and luxury at the New Jersey shore. Set amid landscaped grounds overlooking Cape May's broad sandy beaches, Congress Hall is just a few steps from the ocean, in the heart of Cape May's famed historic district."

Need I REALLY say more? As soon as we were done biking, and the beachers were done beaching, we all headed back to the house for a quick lunch, a clean up and pack up of our things and we hit the highway mid-afternoon, biding a fond farewell to our new favorite vacation destination. But was the trip done? Nay. We made one final stop as a group in Philadelphia at Pat's FAMOUS Cheesesteak stand. And after a delicious helping of cheese and steak and bread and stuff, everyone loaded up and head off into the sunset....happy with our Labor Day festivities! As far as vacations go, this one DEFINITELY ended up rating a HIGH 9 on the MASE*. (*The MASE is the Matt Anderson Scale of Excellence. It's a simple 1-10 scale...with no real judging criteria except however the heck you want to score it. Use it. It will stick.) The only way it would've gotten a 10 was atleast ONE more day to play and explore!

Before signing out the bikes, Rachel took a quick test-spin around the parking lot.

Post-test, Rachel happily gives the go-ahead for Darci to sign the paperwork.

We had NOTHING to do with these houses....and our house looked NOTHING like these houses...but I liked them...and I snapped the picture. Say something. I dare ya.

Out front of the Congress Hall. I know - it's a WHOLE lot of yellow going on. But...it's a beautiful place on the inside.

The ballroom of the Congress Hall. Can SOMEONE have an event here and invite me? PLEASE?! Thanks.

A last GOOD-BYE look at our little house in West Cape May.

The gang outside of Pat's.

Cubbie and Rachel get their order on.

How were they? Happy faces tell the story. Delicious. The story NOT told here? The dude behind them in the white. MAN I wish I knew WHAT was going on with him......