Cape May Beach
It has been a few years since I have written a travel blog so I thought I would share a day trip to one of the most unique towns in my home state.
On January 2nd my husband, daughter, and I took a trip through the pine barrens and tide water marshes of Southern New Jersey to visit Cape May Beach. My birthday was the following day and it was unseasonable warm so it was the perfect weekend for a spontaneous day trip.
Visiting a beach town in the dead of winter is always an interesting experience. There's a few other day trippers and some surfer bros peeling off their wet suits and warming their hand on the can of Campbells soup boiling on the propane stove in the back of their van's trunk. Then there is the still-tan off season locals, bundled up in over sized down jackets speeding by on their beach cruisers that look strangely out of place.
This is my favorite picture I took. I feel like it really captures the peaceful feeling that fills you at the shore. When I look at it I can almost hear the sound of the waves and the smell of the salt air.
We took a few minutes to watch this surfer catch a wave and to see clouds roll passed Cape May Lighthouse.
The cape is always very windy. We were lucky it was manageable on the day we visited and not too cold. There was a snow storm heading for the state the following day. My husband spotted this drift wood log so we braved the wind to inspect it further.
The pattern created by sea life and erosion is captivating. I could have pondered about the tree's life on land and continued existence drifting through the ocean. How long had it been afloat and how many times had it washed up onto shore? How many creatures had called it home since it crashed in the woods and fell into the water? How many beaches has it seen?
I loved the sun reflecting on the soaked sand. It really made me feel so lucky to be present in that moment with my family.
Tiny muscles dotted the algae covered rocks and veins of sea water cut through the fine sand.
Tiny birds zipped across the dunes as the sound of the waves crashing on the shore overwhelmed their excited chirps.
There are beautiful Victorian homes right on the beach front. We strolled the streets and tiny avenues until we reached the cute town center that has a street of small shops.
Over all I had a very nice trip and I would recommend the town to anyone visiting Southern NJ. I can't wait to go back and visit again.
There were so many side streets and tiny shops I wanted to stop in. I would also love to go on a horse and carriage ride. I think it would be really cool to learn more about the historical significance of the town and area. I know it has always been a vacation town but I would like to learn more about the fishermen and sea men.
I am sure I will make another post about this charming town when the cold weather breaks!
♡
Annie