Sandy Hook, NJ to Cape May, NJ
Tuesday, 8/04/15 - Atlantis Marina to Sandy Hook anchorage
We finally got our props back Tuesday morning and, thankfully, had a good weather window to make the 120 mile trip in the Atlantic down to Cape May, NJ. Though there is an inside route, there are several places where the water was too shallow for us to safely pass. We left the marina late afternoon when the forecast storms didn't materialize & traveled the 10 miles to Sandy Hook where we dropped our hook. We planned to leave the next morning by 3:30 am.
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| A panoramic shot of our Sandy Hook Anchorage |
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It almost looked like a ghost town. Lots of homes but
mostly boarded up |
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| Sun setting over Staten Island, NY |
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| We hope the "Red sky at night, sailor's delight" holds true! |
Wednesday, 8/05 Sandy Hook to Cape May
As forecast, the winds dropped from 15-20 knots to under 10 knots overnight. PTL!!!
We were up at 3:00 am, pulled our anchor and headed out at 3:30 am as planned. Dark but calm. Yeahhhh!
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| A view out the back as the sky started to lighten |
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| Sunrise on the North Atlantic |
The wind was below 10 knots which meant not much chop on the ocean. However, the forecast for 3 to 4 foot swells was a little off. It was more like 4 to 6 foot swells.
Though a bit uncomfortable, Samba did fine. Our stabilizers helped minimize the side to side rolling. However, we still had lots of hobby-horsing through the swells.
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| Atlantic City |
We generally cruised about 1 1/2 miles off shore to try to cut down on the swells. Any closer & navigating the shallows became more difficult.
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| They must have heard we were coming. Look at all the people on the beach! |
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| The entrance into Cape May, NJ |
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| The Canyon Club Resort Marina at Cape May, NJ |
Thursday, 8/06/15 - Downtown Cape May
We rode our bikes into town - 2 or 3 miles & hopped a trolley to see the amazing homes in Cape May. There are more Victorian homes here than anywhere in the US except San Francisco. In the 1800's, this was THE place to be and everyone tried desperately to outdo everyone else.
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| The trolley ride took us around to view the spectacular homes in Cape May |
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| This is a small sampling of homes we saw from the trolley in Cape May. What an amazing show of Victorian splendor! |
As part of the trolley tour, we had a guided tour of the Physick estate. He was the wealthiest resident of Cape May in the late 1800's. His money was old family money, he never married, never worked and loved to show off his wealth. Tough life!
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| Notice the upside down chimney |
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We weren't supposed to take pictures.
Jim tried to be discrete with his quick shots |
An 8 course meal would require over 1000 pieces of silver.
A proper Victorian had to know how & when to use each piece.
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| The wood stove in the kitchen. |
Though difficult to see, there were 2 stuffed birds behind the glass bubble in this wall hanging. An indication of wealth.
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| Only the wealthiest could afford to have custom wallpaper all over their rooms! |
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| There were more Victorian homes at the end of the trolley ride |
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All the colors & gingerbread were quite
a feast for the eyes! |
Friday, 8/07/15
We rode our bikes the 5 miles or so out to the end of the Cape May Peninsula to view the WW2 tower & lighthouse. Though a pretty long ride in the wind & occasional sprinkles, it was worth it.
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The WW2 Fire Control Tower where
they guided the artillery for accurate
26 mile shots |
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The steel stairs were added after WW2.
102 steps to the top. |
We were surprised at the WW2 history and the important part Cape May played in the war effort.
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View of the lighthouse through 1 of
the sighting portals |
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| A volunteer at the top explaining how the sighting tower worked |
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Frozen in time, he was
a bit expressionless |
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We walked the 199 steps up the
Cape May Lighthouse |
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| At the top |
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| How did they get it up & back down? |
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| Entertainers & a craft fair at the base of the lighthouse |
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| We had lunch at a little general store near the lighthouse |
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Cape May is one of the top bird migration stops in the country.
We walked out a path to the beach before heading back to the boat. |
As part of the trolley tour, we had a guided tour of the Physick estate. He was the wealthiest resident of Cape May in the late 1800's. His money was old family money, he never married, never worked and loved to show off his wealth. Tough life!
