On the long shot that you make it through the Bay Bridge traffic and diversion, make the best of this weekend, as it is the official end of summer in Ocean City. If the kids aren't back in school, they will be on Tuesday. If you work, this is the last three-day break you get before the fall kicks in.

One lane of the eastbound bridge is currently closed, but one lane of the westbound span will turn around for the holiday weekend. It still screams of traffic and trouble for travelers, however. The MTA will run an extra six trips across the bridge in an effort to reduce congestion starting Tuesday. For your convenience, here's a Google map to get you from Baltimore to OC without taking the Bay Bridge.

Taking the roundabout way through northern Delaware is an option, and there are a number of cool places to stop along the way. Just one of them is Helen's Famous Sausages (4866 N Du Pont Highway for those with GPS devices) in Blackbird, Del. It's right along Route 13 as you come through northern Delaware.

Once you get across the bridge and into Ocean City, it's time to rock with Separate Ways, the Ultimate Journey Tribute Show. Don't stop believin' that this will be an awesome show, and welcome the imitation rockers with open arms. The concert will be held Sunday at North Division Street on the boardwalk. Saturday's concert is Dr. K's Motown Revue, but that doesn't sound nearly as fun as a Journey tribute. No, wait, the ULTIMATE Journey tribute. Definitely more fun than motown.

You should also check out Ocean Downs this weekend, and place some bets before it loses its charm when slot machines are installed. Just off Route 50 on Racetrack Road, Ocean Downs is one of the only places you can watch harness racing in the mid Atlantic area. It's thrilling, and a few $2 bets can make the night cheap and fun. With the uncertainty surrounding slots, racetracks and gambling, take advantage of the charming little track just west of Ocean City before it evolves into something new and unusual.

It wouldn't be a summer-ending weekend without a crab feast. The poorly named On the Bay Seafood (it's on the ocean side of Coastal Highway at 40th Street) has the best steamed crabs in all of Ocean City. There's really no contest here. Every other establishment has served me sub-par steamed crabs at some point this summer, except for On the Bay. They are heavy, full, and always cooked when you order them. They don't play those pre-steaming shenanigans that a lot of restaurants do, so the crustaceans are always hot and fresh.

Grab some corn, some brown paper, a roll of masking tape and half a bushel of crabs, and enjoy the farewell to summer. Sing along with a Journey knockoff, and put off the traffic-laced trip back home. Don't let go of summer, and she won't let go of you.