Dear Old Cape May

Yesterday the sun did shine. It was breezy, but not too bad. Rita and I decided to take a ride down to Cape May City.




First, we saw flying fish above the beach.







Next thing we knew - Here come the Coasties!


You know, there is a big Coast Guard base here. When the Coasties are out in force, traffic stops and everyone watches them. And silly people
like me take pictures.




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All the Bed and Breakfasts and hotels are getting spruced up for spring.







Don't think I'd be too happy living so close to my neighbors. Sometimes it seems like inches away. But their many colors are very cheerful.






They come in all shapes and sizes.









A lot sit high because of the flooding during bad storms. Others just seem to take their chances.



Some of these are actually private homes, but most are B & B's.



And of course, we rode on up to the Point. Here is what they call "a cottage" at the Point.





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Chapter 2 of our Story:
Then we ended at Lily Lake. Found a very interesting sight there. First we saw a lovely swan.



Then we realized, the swan was chasing a goose. I have no idea what their problem was, but they seem to have had one.







That swan stayed right on the goose's tail. Started at the opposite side of the lake from us. Came across quickly, and the goose came up on the grass.


The swan never left the water, but the goose marched along the edge, and the swan followed closely, back and forth many times.














The swan sometimes looked as if it would come up on land, ruffling its feathers, but never did.





Eventually the goose entered the water again, and the chase was on, back to the other shore.






Never did find out why this was going on.

But we enjoyed our afternoon.

Shadow Shot Sunday

Thank you again to Tracy for hosting Shadow Shot Sunday for us.

As I was about to turn a corner in Cape May City, I had to wait for a couple of horses and buggies. They are a popular mode of transportation for tourists in the town when they want lots of time to snap pictures of the Victorian architecture and other sights. So I snapped a couple of shadow shots as I followed behind them.




When we reached a stop light, they pulled over to the curb, and I pulled up beside them to wait for the green. It gave the lead horse a chance to take a look at me.

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Cape May and King

In keeping with the fact that February is Black History Month, I would like to mention the connection of Cape May, NJ with Dr. Martin Luther King.

Last summer a woman named Molly Wood Tully wrote a letter to the Editor of the Cape May Star and Wave, giving information that I had never known. She spoke of the biennial Quaker Gathering in Cape May on June 27, 1958 - fifty years ago. The Rev. King spoke at this gathering in the city's Convention Hall. The hall was completely filled, and people outside were leaning into the windows to hear him as he spoke on "Nonviolence and Racial Justice". I wish I had been in Cape May that summer and had heard him.

Those were not good days in Cape May City for black people. Blacks were not permitted to register as guests at the hotels. The Rev. King stayed in a private home while he was here. Racial discrimination was taken for granted. As a result, the Quakers, who had met here for many years, decided they could no longer meet in a town where people of all colors were not welcome. They moved their meetings to other locations, and never returned here. How sad.

I was aware of some of the history of discrimination in Cape May. I had heard of the narrow strip of beach that allowed blacks to enjoy the sand and sea. I have seen buildings where they were housed. I knew of Cold Spring Church where they were allowed only in the balcony seats. I have visited the cemeteries, for blacks only, since apparently even in death they were not welcome. But I never knew of this particular incident.

Rev. King, I think you would be welcome here today, at least by most of us. And as for those who still harbor such prejudice - we will say a prayer for them, and thank God that at least they are now in the minority.

Click and Clack

Do you enjoy Car Talk on NPR as much as I do?


Tom and Ray Magliozzi (Click and Clack), for those of you who aren't familiar with the show, are just hilarious as they take calls from people all over the country who have auto-related questions. They also manage along the way to give out some pretty good advice. It's on Saturdays and Sundays, around two I think. I don't get to hear it as often as I'd like. They were also the voices in the animated movie, Cars.


Anyway - my whole point is that this Wednesday, July 9th, a new series is starting.
It is also animated, and is called As the Wrench Turns. It's on PBS - WHYY at 8:pm. I guess, if you do listen to them, you probably know this already, so it's just a reminder on my part. I know I'm going to watch. Hope it's as good as their radio program. If it isn't, Ill be surprised, and really disappointed.


You can go to cartalk.com and listen to the show if you want to.

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So, what other news of great import may I impart to you today? Let's see.

Lisa told me about a web site that I like. It's called Snap Shot Cape May. And guess what it's about. Oh - you guessed. It has great pictures of all kinds of places and events in and around Cape May. Kind of fun.

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Ever go driving down Route 9, and suddenly see a very large cow standing by the side of the road? Never fear. It's just Cheesecake World.


Don't mind me. I'm in a silly mood today.


You know, I should start getting paid for all these plugs.
But that would take all the fun out of it.

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One of my favorites.






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OK. This is getting seriously silly. And I am in danger of losing any readers I have attracted up to now. I'm even beginning to frighten myself. Better close before I go right off the edge. Maybe a nap would do it. That's it! I'll take a nap.