Back from the Beach

Monday, April 29, 2013 – Back from the Beach

I’ve been without internet access since last Friday morning when I left for Rehoboth, Delaware.  Consequently, I’ve had a very relaxing non-electronic few days.  But now that I’m back from the beach, I couldn’t wait to sit down at the keyboard.  The three-day Mind, Body, Spirit Hadassah program that I attended with my friend Cheri more than lived up to my expectations.  And the bright sunny weather certainly helped make the weekend very enjoyable although the temperatures were still a little cool for the summery clothing I brought along.   

The gazebo at the beach in Rehoboth, DE

Cheri and I were both ready for an adventure when we set out on Friday morning.  Once we were over the Bay Bridge and off the main roads, we found ourselves in a different world.  Flat farmland stretches out across the rural Delmarva Peninsula.  We made a spur-of-the-moment stop in Greenwood, Delaware, one of the small towns that punctuate the unending sea of green.  It was the statue of the cow (steer?) standing on top of the cowboy tavern that first got our attention.  It drew us inside where we found the congenial pony-tailed owner of the establishment.   

The Greenwood Cowboy Tavern in Greenwood, DE

Unfortunately, there was nothing vegetarian-friendly on their menu or we might have stayed for lunch.  Instead, we strolled down to Yoder’s Country Store, which stocks some irresistible items, such as purple popping corn kernels (from the Amish country), dried kiwi, home-made graham crackers, and a few other essentials.  One of the advantages of traveling with a female companion – I didn’t have to justify my purchases. 

Shortly after 2 pm, we reached our destination, Rehoboth Beach.  After dropping off our bags at the hotel, the next item on the agenda was lunch.  We both wanted beach food, which we found at Irish Eyes Pub on Rehoboth Avenue, only a block from the water.  Mmm, sweet potato fries and a crabcake Caesar salad make a well-balanced meal, especially when you add a cone of vanilla frozen custard for a calcium-rich dessert. 

Next, we headed towards the ocean.  Rehoboth has a long, wide boardwalk, perfect for strolling.  And when you’re tired of strolling, you can plant yourself on one of the white wooden benches and look out at the water.  I could listen to the sea forever.  The rhythm of the waves is like a pulse or a heartbeat that reawakens some long ago memory of the womb.   

Too chilly for swimming, but just right for walking

 

Eventually, though, we headed back to the hotel to pick up our Hadassah name tags and tote bags.  The evening was devoted to getting acquainted with other Hadassah members from the region (northern Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and Pennsylvania), and learning more about Hadassah’s work in the areas of medical care, medical research, education, and conservation, primarily in Israel.  After dinner, we joined in a short Shabbat prayer service and an enthusiastic Hebrew songfest, which brought back memories of long-ago summers at Camp Blue Star in the mountains of North Carolina.

Saturday featured a creative prayer service conducted by Dr. Andrea Lieber, a religion professor from Dickinson College, whose exuberance was contagious.  I even purchased her book, The Essential Guide to Jewish Prayer and Practices.  The highlight of Sunday was a presentation by Dr. Jeffrey Morrison, a physician in New York City who emphasizes a holistic approach to medicine and health.  As a result of his extremely interesting and thought provoking talk, I’m going to make some changes in my diet.  You can read about his work in his latest book, Cleanse Your Body, Clear Your Mind. 

While Hadassah was the primary focus of the weekend, it’s no surprise that food and wine also played a major role.  We were very pleased to find that Rehoboth possesses an abundance of restaurants that serve more than the typical beach fare.  Café Azafran, the Spanish restaurant where we dined Sunday evening, is a prime example.  A glass of sherry, assorted olives, warm crispy bread dipped into fragrant olive oil, asparagus a la plancha, seafood Tarragona (a zesty mélange in a tomato-y broth), and a Nutella goat cheese cake with raspberry sauce – the meal was every bit as delicious as it sounds.  

Nutella and goat cheese cake at Café Azafran

 

We found the perfect happy hour venue, a restaurant called a(MUSE), with a selection of small plates that delighted the eye as well as the palate.  Over the course of two visits, we sipped wine and sampled a white bean dip flavored with preserved lemon; refreshingly marinated mushrooms garnished with radishes and hazelnuts; and some smoky grilled cauliflower.   

The marinated mushrooms at a(MUSE.)

 

And our choice of restaurant for Saturday’s lunch proved so satisfying that we returned the following day.  Green Man Juice Bar and Bistro offers an array of healthy juice drinks and smoothies, salads, soups, and sandwiches.  I recommend the Green Man, a light and tasty juice blend of kale, apple, pear, cucumber, and spinach.

The Hadassah group and the weekend crowds departed from Rehoboth by late Sunday afternoon.  At the same time, storm clouds were rolling in.  Rain fell throughout the night.  On Monday morning, Cheri and I rushed through the nearly deserted damp streets to The Gallery Espresso for The Last Breakfast:  a mammoth portion of raisin-studded oatmeal for me and a gluten-free crepe for Cheri – more than enough food to stave off hunger until we reached our own kitchens.   

The Last Breakfast (2013)

Soon, we were on our way back home.  Although Garmin was directing us, we managed to take a few detours, some intentional and some not.  Since we weren’t on a tight schedule, we were able to enjoy the spontaneity of a road trip.

I found Elliott napping comfortably when I arrived back at the house.  He had managed beautifully in my absence (with the much-appreciated assistance of Matt and Marshall).  Everything was in order.  If they had any wild parties while I was gone, they remembered to clean up the house afterwards – which is encouraging because I’m leaving again next Saturday for a week in New Mexico.