Delaware City to Cape May

Island Hopper left Delaware City at 7:10 AM to beat any wind or weather on the wicked Delaware Bay.  Island Hopper navigated the waters well.  The ride was relatively smooth with an arrival time of 11:10 after traveling 62 miles,  to  Utsch's Marina, Cape May, NJ.  After lunch Kevin and Debbie took a cab into town.  With the temperature reading 104 degrees, it was just too hot to walk or ride bikes the 1 1/2 miles into the town.  As soon as they were in town they hopped on the Trolley Tour.  It was a wonderful way to see the Victorian Architecture of Cape May.

Bryce relaxing during the Journey

"Dog Life is Good"

Just Being Tourists

Island Hopper docked in Cape May, NJ

After touring the shops and mini mall they took a cab back to the boat.  With the heat they decided to just have wine and eat aboard.


CAPE MAY HISTORY

The History of Cape May, New Jersey

A canal, dug from a natural shallow creek, runs from Cape May's harbor to the Delaware Bay making Cape May an island. This simple fact is fundamental to understanding Cape May.  But first here are some fairly well-known facts about Cape May, New Jersey:

Though it is an island, Cape May is a part of a "cape," a strip of land projecting into a body of water. Settled by whalers and fishermen in colonial times, Cape May has been the destination of vacationers since  "resorting" to a different location began, making Cape May America's oldest seaside resort.

In 1878, Cape May City nearly burned to the ground; the reconstruction that followed has left a plethora of Victorian era buildings like no other in America.

With roots as a U.S. Navy base prior to World War II, Cape May's Coast Guard Training Station continues to be an integral part of Cape May.

In 1976, Cape May was declared a National Historic Landmark City.

Cape May ("Cape Island") is made up of Cape May City, the boroughs of West Cape May and Cape May Point and a township ("Lower" which is not to be confused with Middle and Upper - all of which comprise Cape May County).

The year-round population of Cape May is about 4,700, a number that has varied little for over a hundred years.  That number can swell to more than 40,000 on some summer weekends.

Because of the canal,  Cape May is separated from the rest of New Jersey, both physically and metaphorically. Unlike other "Jersey shore" towns, Cape May City still looks like "small town America" complete with tree-canopied streets, right out of a Norman Rockwell painting.

As a resort community at the end of a road (now mile marker zero of the Garden State Parkway) and at the beginning of land from the seaward side, Cape May has always provided good food. But dining in Cape May these days often exceeds the casual visitor's expectations.  From the restaurants on Schellenger's Landing at the base of the canal bridge, to those along the beach front and into West Cape May, one can find superior cuisine alongside customary seaside fare.

There are no "chain stores" in Cape May.  Large national franchisers have not located here. Instead there are scores of small shops and antique stores from the outdoor Washington Street Mall to the Beach Avenue store fronts that cater to the sun and fun crowds.

Staying in Cape May offers vacationers the widest possible variety of experiences. The hotels of yesteryear are still here, some beautifully restored and others, by design, comfortably left as they have been for decades. Meticulously maintained Bed and Breakfast Inns are renowned in Cape May; as are many historic Guest Houses.  Of course for the thousands of visitors who prefer conventional luxuries and a swimming pool, Cape May has plenty of resort Motor Inns. Rounding out the choices is the traditional whole house or condo rental.  Prices on these stays will vary with the season, the amenities offered and their proximity to the beach.

While not in the ocean or on the beach, visitors can spend time in Cape May exploring nature trails, whale and dolphin watching, taking Victorian house or ghost tours, golfing (real and miniature) , fishing  (surf and sea), antiquing or  visiting art galleries and history exhibits.  Visitors can get a spa treatment, take in live theatre and concerts, stop by a vineyard for wine tasting, take a carriage ride, play skeeball in the arcades and even bar hop.  With rental spots in key locations on this flat island, bicycling to everything on the island is easily done... and something locals heartily recommend.

And if that's not enough to keep vacationers content, they can cross over the canal bridge to find amusement parks in Wildwood and casinos a 45-minute drive away in Atlantic City.  When the excitement is over and the time is late, the calm of Cape May will be ready and waiting, as it is now and always has been

Read more: http://www.capemay.com/capemayhistory.html#ixzz1zyktX6Y8


Bryce Report - Bryce is loving his new life aboard Island Hopper.  He travels well on the water, just resting and napping.  During the day he loves too be outside and go on walks.  Kevin is surprised how well he is doing.  Go Bryce Go!!!!