what to do when it rains on your beach vacation.

so. we went on a little vacation. we took a couple days off work, and spent a nice long 4-day weekend in Wildwood, NJ. we planned the trip way back when it was still winter and we were just dreaming of sunshine and lazy days on the beach. we factored in work schedules and available leave time and even went bathing suit shopping.

but what we didnt plan for was an early start to this year's tropical storm season. oh hello there Andrea. SO nice of you to join us at the beach.

Delaware Memorial Bridge in the rain. 

so vacation wasn't quite everything we dreamed it might be - long sunny days on the beach, warm summer nights on the boardwalk, time for water parks and sandcastles and beach football, all culminating in one fantastic tan - but it was still fun because we refused to let the wet weather dampen our moods. so based on my now-extensive knowledge of rainy beach vacations, here are some tips to help you plan your own awesome rainy beach vacation:

1. Plan Ahead. check the weather before you go, and seriously - pack accordingly. if they are calling for rain, maybe pack more than just one pair of capris because you are in denial. because once your one pair of long-ish pants gets soaking wet, you're going to wish you had another pair to wear while they dry.

2. Get Wet. just because it's pouring down rain doesn't mean you have to stay holed up in your hotel room. get out! enjoy the emptiness of the boardwalk, and take advantage of it by going to that really good pizza place because you know you wont have to wait in line. stop by the Elks Club parade on the way back to the hotel. (then leave after a little bit because its pouring rain and they're not even throwing candy. the nerve.) do whatever you want, really. dont let the rain stop you.

boardwalk in the rain.

3. Stay Positive. smile. laugh. just remember that you are not at work and this is all just a great big adventure. dance in the rain. spend the weekend in a state of denial and blissful ignorance. eat lots of chocolate and ice cream. whatever you do, just be happy.

4. Play Games. mario kart. battle of the sexes. banangrams. monopoly if you're feeling up to it. dont let yourself get bored when there is plenty of fun to be had!

5. Don't Wait for Pictures. document the heck out of your vacation - rain and all. no need to wait for the perfect light or a break in the clouds or for everyone to even be looking all in the same direction... if you want to remember your vacation just the way it was, then just be constantly taking pictures.

photo ops in the rain.

6. Keep Track of the Weather. stalk the weather channel app like its your job. know which days, hours, and minutes are supposed to be rain-free. check often for updates, because the weather is a shifty minx.

jershey shore in the rain. (you can tell cuz of the raindrop on the lens)

7. Get Out When You Can. ok. you have a gap today where there's only a 30% chance of rain. load up and hit the beach! when it starts to sprinkle and everyone else is leaving, set up your umbrella and get situated. after all, it looks like its going to clear up soon. lay out in the rain - remember, those UV rays can penetrate through clouds and rain! ignore your goosebumps and your husbands whining and smile! you're at the beach!

walking the beach during a break in the rain.

8. Bring a Good Book. or two or three. mark brought seven diy-how-to books to peruse, and i blew through two novels over the weekend - Silver Linings Playbook, and The Memory Keeper's Daughter. both were kind of sad. but both were well written, attention grabbing, and the perfect way to kill some time during afternoon naps and early mornings when i couldn't sleep because i was so excited to be on vacation at the beach!

9. Have a Tasty Drink. or two or three. no need to wait for sunshine to enjoy a margarita or a rum runner or whatever drink just screams SUMMER to you.  we were vacationing with my brother-in-law-in-law who enjoys mixing fancy drinks as a hobby, so he was more than happy to play bartender for the weekend. every drink was delicious and came with a fancy garnish, or at least as fancy as his limited access to the proper tools would allow.




havana-something cocktail with a "twist"


10. Don't Worry. the sun will come out tomorrow. or the next day. so soak it up while you can.

 i have plenty more pictures to share (i took 180 over the 4 days!) so hopefully i will find time to actually do that in between all of this getting-back-to-real-life stuff like groceries and dishes and laundry and work and all that jazz.