Day 2 Long Beach Island

After a hurricane like wind and rain storm we woke up to much calmer skies that turned blue by 9 AM.  Our first stops for the day were at “How You Brewin?” for coffee, and Marvel’s Bakery for donuts.  When I was young and rode my bike to Marvel’s almost every morning in August, I paid 55 cents for a baker’s dozen.  This morning I paid over $8 for a 1/2 dozen!  Damn that Joe Biden!  

 

We revisited some of my favorite spots, taking more photos since it was sunny.  We then drove to the southern end of the island where a number of surfers were enjoying almost perfect swells that most likely were a product of last night’s storm.  From much of the island, and most noticeable at the southern end, are the tall hotels and casinos of Atlantic City, which is only 24 miles away.  Leaving the southern end, we then drove the full length of the island to Barnegat Light which was constructed in 1835 and automated in 1927.  The lighthouse stands 169 feet tall and it’s beam have a 25 mile range.

 

Long Beach Island is unique.  It is not a new resort area; Surf City was founded in 1690. It’s flat as a pancake.  There are almost no trees.  It’s very densely developed with almost nothing but residential properties.  Most residential properties are new, since in the fall of 2012 Hurricane Sandy destroyed or destroyed many of the homes.  There are some streets still lined with the Victorian homes of the early 1900’s; many of which have become B&B’s.  There are no hotel chains nor fast food chains.  Most restaurants don’t sell booze, but they do allow BYO.  There are plenty of tacky souvenir shops, ice cream stands, surf board and bike rentals shops.  If you don’t like going to the beach, or going boating, this is not the place for you.  But many, many do!

 

We left Long Beach Island around 11 AM, and drove south to Cape May where we had reservation for the 2:30 PM ferry to Lewes, Delaware.  We had a very satisfying lunch at Lucky Bones which overlooks the marina in Cape May.  Our meals were delicious.  Joni had filet mignon steak tips, and I had a shrimp & crab cake sandwich.

 

Our ferry ride to Lewes wasn’t the smoothest we’ve experienced, but the skies were crystal clear and the temperature was in the mid sixties.  We docked in Lewes around 3:30 PM, and drove immediately to our campground in Cape Henlopen State Park where we’ve camped many times before.

 

We relaxed at our campsite until 7 PM, and then drove into Lewes for dinner.

Dinner was a Matt's Fish Camp, one of our favorite restaurants in the area.  I had an oyster sampler for an appetizer, and an oyster parmesan special for my main dish..  Joni had fried chicken.  Both were delicious.  We split bread pudding for dessert....also delicious!