JUNE 30, 2016
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| VIEW FROM IT'S PERFECT |
We left our anchorage on the Delaware River Sunday morning heading for Cape May. About 6 hours later we turned into the long, skinny, shallow Cape May Canal. It was quite a feat to stay in deep enough water and maneuver It's Perfect with the many large and small boats coming in and going out around us. Once we entered the bay we took a look at the 2 designated anchorages. The anchorage off the US Coastguard Station has the deepest water and enough room to swing when the tide changes. The only downside its just off the channel so we get all the wakes from passing ferries, shrimpers, fishing boats and pleasure boats. The water around the anchorage is a no wake zone, I am not sure all these captains can read.
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| ANCHORAGE OFF THE COAST GUARD STATION |
By 2pm we were anchored in about 15ft of water with 4 other transient sailboats. We try to anchor as far from the other boats as possible which means we will not disturb the other boaters with our generator. It seems most people that anchor feel the need to have close company and we were soon joined by a Catamaran.
The temperature here is in the mid 70's during the day and the low 60's at night. Not bad for late June. We are a short ride to shore and the historic town of
Cape May, New Jersey, the oldest seaside resort in the country.
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| FRESH SHRIMP ANYONE? |
We spent the afternoon on the internet and phone trying to see what was available for the transient boats at anchor. The marinas are at least 95pct work boats and large power boats. There is hardly a mast in sight. We quickly learn the marinas tolerate anchored boats and allow you to dock your dinghy when you buy fuel but do not allow use of any of the facilities even for a fee. Not what we would call a cruiser friendly port. In most anchorages with a town close by the marinas allow use of the laundry, showers and dinghy dock for a small daily fee.
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JOSEPH WHILLDIN-MILLER HOUSE
THE OLDEST HOUSE IN CAPE MAY, 1711-1718
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It was time for a work day on the boat. One of our heads is not working. Yuck one of Rod's least favorite repair jobs. It was soon determined we needed a new macerator pump assembly. There is a West Marine in town but they would have to order one. While calling marinas searching for a place to dock the dinghy Rod found one that had it's own parts dept. and their price was about $75 less than West Marine. The next morning Rod was the proud new owner of a new pump assembly.
While on shore picking up the part we took the opportunity to take a look around town. It is about a 2 mile walk to the beach through the Historic District of Cape May. The journey was packed with historic homes and traffic. We walked for more than an hour just seeing the sights and getting our bearings. We stopped at what advertised to be an authentic Mexican restaurant for lunch. We are rarely impressed with Mexican food anywhere but in Texas or New Mexico. We were pleasantly surprised 5de Mayo had excellent food and great guacamole. Score 1 for Cape May. Then it was back to the boat to repair the head.
On our third day about 10pm, we had just settled in for the night. Before we had turned off the lights we both heard people talking in what sounded like French and they sounded very close. We were soon up the companionway to find a very large sail boat dropping their anchor less than 20ft off our port side. Rod's was quickly out on deck getting the attention of the man on the bow. "You are too close!!!!!" The man seemed a little surprised but soon the anchor chain was coming up. They then backed off and dropped it at our stern, still a lot closer than we wanted. Before long they were floating happily right in the shipping lane, behind us. Hopefully all the shrimp boats that come and go at night are paying attention. Their anchor light finally came on and we went down for what was left of the night. About 3am Rod was back on deck to check our swing during the changing tides and found a Coast Guard boat quietly circling the French boat. By the time we came up the next morning there was no sign of the boat that caused all the commotion the night before.
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| CAPE MAY BEACH |
After breakfast we were soon off to shore and our walk to what is called one of the most pristine beach's on the east coast. The shore line is covered with resorts, restaurants, tourists shops, people and traffic. The
Cape May Beach is packed with colorful umbrellas, cabana's and people. We walked thru one of the small boardwalks to find a small booth and 2 people waiting to take our money for the privilege of walking the beach with a throng of people. It seams to access this beach the fee is $6 a day per person. The sand is beautiful, the sky clear blue and the umbrellas colorful. With all the people to navigate through just to get to the water it didn't look like so much fun. We decided to save our money.
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| MOM TAKING JUNIOR FOR A RIDE |
We soon stopped by Ben & Jerry's for ice cream and used our beach fee money, mmmmm... delicious. After a short stop at the grocery we were soon on our way back to the boat. We have been watching the weather and it looks good for a Saturday departure. We have decided to go outside to New York Harbor and turn into the East River through Hell Gate and into Long Island Sound. We plan a short stay in New York City on our way south. Long Island Sound has many small towns and anchorage's and we are looking forward to winding our way further north.
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