Friday Update

We decided to stay at Cape May today so Atlantic City and losing our money will have to wait a day.  More later.

“Oh, say can you see by the dawn’s early light…”  There are advantages to being anchored next to the nation’s only Coast Guard Recruit Training Center, like taps at sunset and The National Anthem during breakfast.   Fritz thinks we’re trying to corrupt him because we snuck him on to their restricted beach area for his morning run.  What’s a dog to do?

Cape May’s alluring history kept us here today.  Taking the bikes ashore to the gracious Utsches Marina who allowed us to tie up there for a few hours, we began as usual at the visitor’s center collecting free maps.  It being almost noon time we strolled down the Washington Street Mall, quaint shops in old buildings.  Choosing Stewarts Root Beer Shop for lunch, especially enjoying the suds in frosted mugs.  Very satisfied with our choice, we rode two blocks east and found the white sand along Beach Avenue.  With no time for lounging on the beach, instead we turned south and pedaled about 3 miles towards Cape May Point and Sunset Beach one of the few places to be able to see the sun both rising and setting.  Located off the point is also a sunken concrete ship, the S.S. Atlantus a government experiment gone awry.  What were they thinking? 
   
A few blocks back north and east is Cape May Lighthouse, a WWII Bunker on the beach, and a migratory bird sanctuary.  The huge white swans on the pond were magnificent.  What looked like a large concrete box from the Atlantic side was the bunker.  We finished our afternoon with a look around the historic district and the restored Victorian homes.  Making one last stop at the grocery store then pedaling fast to the marina, Dennis made a turn I missed, but thank goodness for phones, he helped me find my way, and I was able to catch up to him without him backtracking to find me.