Public Discussion Forum

Hi Mark,

You said, "drive up to Cape May" and I thought there was a tunnel I'm not aware of since Cape May is the southern most part of NJ. Anyway, I'm no expert at Cape May, but we make it a habit of stopping there every time we pass by because we like it so much. We anchor right outside the USCG facility.

Cape May has a vibrant downtown area with good shopping and restaurants. When we were there in August it was packed. I'm sure the crowds have dwindled after school started and it's gotten cooler. Main attraction for us is a walk on the expansive boardwalk, walking and window-shopping downtown, and looking at some of the historic homes in the area. Avoid the big Lobster House restaurant and find a nice little local spot for dinner.

Funny story. We were coming down the NJ coast from Atlantic City (don't go there-you'll be disappointed) with a huge following swell and maybe 30 kts of wind at our stern. We were at the top of the world one moment and surrounded by water the next. Everything was OK until we turned to stbd for the few minutes to get protection from the harbor's breakwall. We got our butts handed to us. Waves crashed into us, things went flying, the boat was rolling, it was a $h!tshow. As we passed the end of the breakwall and resumed our composure a whale watching boat was watching us and called us on the radio. He jokingly asked, "did you see any whales out there?". Wise guy.

A bit off the path, but if you plan to drive, and you enjoy seafood, Middle River isn't too far out of the way. By the Docks serves probably one of the best crab cakes you'll ever sample. Not that bland crabmeat you find on the west coast, but real lump MD blue crab. <G> Highly recommended. There is the Glenn L Martin air museum at the Middle River Martin State Airport close by. If you tavel via eastern shore, St Michel's is a must, the Maritime museum is great, right next to the crab house for genuine MD steamed crabs.
As far as Cape May, the old victorian homes are great. The Lobster House there offers great seafood fare, a bit touristy, but pretty good.

Steve Sipe
4303 (sold)

Mark -

We are here in Cape May now on Shangri-La and will be around for a few more days. We love it here, especially after Labor Day. No beach tokens required, fewer tourists, restaurants all open, great architecture (likely completed since you left - mostly from the late 1800’s and early 1900’s), the delicious Cape May IPA, and a good vibe. We have lots of favorite places here and I will share with you at the Rendezvous. I will also pick up all the local tourist mags, including This Week In Cape May, which will be dated when you get it, but is available on line also. I will have them on board for you. Let me know if you are looking for lodgings - lots of nice B&B’s to choose from.

See you soon - Jack

Jack Burgess, Shangri-La 5388

Hello Mark,

Mark, one of our best and most memorable experience at Cape May a couple years ago when we docked there was the farm to table dinner at Beach Plum Farm. It was truly amazing and in one of the barns of the farm. It was BYOB and we brought a bottle (ok really 2) of wine and had it with dinner. We bicycled there but I’m sure you can uber. I just looked it up and the are having their “Fall Harvest” series now through November. We also like the bar in a former gas station “Exit Zero”. Good food, fun atmosphere. As far as the CGC Sassafras goes, I tried to go to that tender out of the Academy. It was the #1 pick and I was something like 15 or 18 pick. Sassafras was in Honolulu so I went to the Sagebrush in San Juan, PR (I like warm water and beaches). I bet my experience was just like your father’s in Jersey since the Sagebrush was “unhindered by technological progress”. We literally set buoys using horizontal sextants, no thrusters and one engine! No such thing as GPS or Loran C. What did your dad do on the Sassafras?

Corey
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