Davis Family Newspaper

The Mark A. Davis Family in Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania

Beach Trips

We love the beach!  Here are some of our favorite trips from most recent to as far back as we can remember.

When Jeanne and Mark were young, both the Phillips and the Davis family used to enjoy beach trips, particularly camping at an inland campsite and spending the day at the beach.  We discovered that both families spent many summers at Pine Haven Campground in Sea Isle City, NJ when Jeanne and Mark were in our mid to late teenage years.  Chances are that we even were camping the same week of the summer and maybe even ran into each other at the Pavilion listening to the jukebox and hanging out with the other kids. 

We continue our tradition, but have moved on to less rustic accommodations.

2008 - Virginia Beach

Another terrific year at the beach with 30 family members in a single house.  No one believes me when I tell them how easy and fun this is.  Everyone gets along and pitches in with preparing meals, cleanups and watching all the kids. 

The house this year was fantastic, with 10 bedrooms, 8 bathrooms, two pools and two hot tubs.  It was wonderful. 

  • Susan, a friend of Jeri's, brings fresh fish and combined with crabs, clams, shrimp, corn on the cob, and potatoes we have an amazing feast like never before.  John then takes all the leftovers and makes the most delicious chowder I've ever encountered.  Just wonderful!
  • Riki beats us at poker two nights in a row.  He's incredible.
  • Dan uses a free ticket to fly in for part of the week.  Great to have him.
  • Rick, Brian, Dan and Dave Lindsey go golfing.  Its too hot and the course is too difficult and they return tired and a little frustrated.
  • Brian rents a surfboard and by the end of the week most of the kids are surfing (with help).  Unfortunately for Brian he is too heavy to surf and sinks the board every time.
  • Most amazing - we see millions of small fish swimming in schools at the water's edge.  At night the larger fish come to the shallow water and the feeding frenzy begins.  The noise, the jumping fish and the churning water are amazing to behold.
  • Vandals damage the volleyball court at the house.  We call the police and file a report.
  • John takes the kids crabbing, but they appear to be content driving the boat in circles

    Here is a link to our picture album in Picasa

    VA BEACH 2008
     

2007 - Jamaica

We try something different, visiting the Beaches Negril resort in Jamaica.  Jeanne, Mark, Kelsey, Greg, and Ty.  It was nice, but overall it wasn't worth the expense.  The waterpark at the resort was good for Ty, and we all enjoyed the crystal clear blue water, but the food was mediocre and the overall experience was not worth the money.

  • The best food we had all week was at the Embassy Suites hotel near the Philadelphia Airport the night before our departure.
  • We had a very early morning flight out of Phila.  The hotel ran a free shuttle every half hour and we planned on taking the 5am shuttle,  When the alarm sounded, Mark pushed the family into a frenzy so we could make the 4:30am shuttle - which we flagged down as it was pulling away from the hotel. The benefit - standing in line for 30 minutes waiting for them to open the doors of the airport.
  • Greg shows a real and unexpected daredevil side when driving a jet ski for the first time.  Mark can't keep up and returns his jet ski early.
  • Both Kelsey and Greg get to go scuba diving
  • Free alcoholic beverages beginning at 9am, in high volume, and still never a buzz - how do they do that?
  • We discover a terrific new drink - the Hummingbird
  • A little overwhelmed by the poverty
  • A little overwhelmed by the number of people trying to sell (or scam) you while sitting on the beach.  One cool part was a trio single "All Day, All Night, MaryAnn".  It was pretty good once you got passed the missing teeth from these poor folks.  Sadly, I don't take money to the beach and couldn't reward their efforts.

Here is a link to our picture album in Picasa

2007 Jamaica

2006

Virginia Beach with the Phillip's families (Berkowitz, John Phillips, Dave Phillips, Lindsey's and Young's)

 
2006_Virginia Beach

2005

Bethany Beach (Matt, Stacy, Brian, Susie, Jessie, Kelsey, Greg, Ty)

 

2003

Virginia Beach (Kelsey, Greg, Ty, Zia) 

 
2003_Virginia Beach

2001

Bethany Beach with Kondash's (Scott, Danielle, Brian, Matt, Stacy, Kelsey, Greg, Destiny)

 

1999

Bethany Beach with Kondash's

 

1997

Ocean City -SeaWatch with Kondash's

1994

Ocean City -SeaWatch with Kondash's

 

1992

Ocean City -SeaWatch - rented a large van 

 

1990

Ocean City - SeaWatch

 

1988

Ocean City - SeaWatch

 

1987

Ocean City - Honeymoon with the boys at the Golden Sands.  Matt loses his kite and we almost lose Eric when he gets off elevator at wrong floor.