We spent a couple of days in Cape May - exploring the streets with their gorgeous Victorian Houses - huge ones. We ate at the Lobster House and then got more seafood to take home - clams, shrimps, smoked salmon.

We met Christine and John and little Thomas on Margarita from Montreal - yeah - another Canadian boat! Susan and Mike (Tabby Cat) last seen in Eleuthera came in and we had a quick chat with them.

Cape May is an interesting place - some gorgeous areas - some very touristy areas. Lots of marinas - some sketchy depths at low tide. No good place to tie up a dinghy and go exploring (and spending money) in the town; the nice long dock at the Lobster house goes straight into the restaurant and we felt a little funny about traipsing through; the man at the South Jersey Marina said we could tie up there for an hour to get groceries, but not for all day. The pedestrian Mall downtown is pretty, but very touristy, the coffee shop charged for wifi access even on our own computer, the tourist bureau people didn't have much of an idea about what was where. However, just walking around the old streets and gazing at the magnificent Victorian houses was fascinating. I might take the trolley tour next time just to find out more of the stories about them.

Next morning, we took the dinghy to tiny beach at the Corinthian Yacht Club beside the Coast Guard Station because we wanted to go for one last brisk walk before leaving. We had the walk and came back to find the sailing classes ready to start at the club so we sat ourselves down on the wall to wait for the way to clear before we took the dinghy out. We were worried at first that we were in the way (and we were, but folks were nice about it.) Apparently there is no problem tying dinghies to their docks during the week. It's all occupied on the weekends. I'd still check with them in person, but it makes a good option from the Coast Guard Station anchorage if you want a walk. If the goal is the Wawa convenience store, the South Jersey Marina or the Lobster house are the best options.

On that wall, we got talking to Judy Lord who was there watching her grandchildren, and discovered a really genuine, lovely person. She told us about the club and how her family had been part of it for years and how friendly people were. She didn't just talk about that friendliness - she glowed with it herself. Then her daughter-in-law, Gigi came along and we chatted some more. The connections we shared made me think this was one of those coincidences that aren't really coincidences - it was one of those times when we felt we are on the "right path"!

We moved on out of there about 11 am, and had a good motor sail to Atlantic City. The wind came up and the waves grew as we blew through the breakwater about 5pm to the anchorage in the little area just off the Casinos and before the bridge. Several boats were over in the marsh area, but this duck around the green buoy and just out of the channel worked reasonably well for us - same spot as last fall. I made shrimp&grits for dinner - the recipe from Embarassment of Mangoes. Oooh - they were delicious. Even Jim, not the biggest grits fan, liked the dish. Hey Sue - does this mean we're developing a "southern side"?

There was an amazing fireworks display on Thursday night - a prelude to July 4th I guess - and we had a front row seat. Unfortunately the wind blew hard and the current was really strong so between the boat turning in circles and the wind generator howling,(we've discovered it does howl when the wind really picks up) the night was less than restful. We think perhaps another trip, we'd just do the long haul all the way from Cape May to Sandy Hook and skip Atlantic City.

Next stop - Sandy Hook (July 4) to be ready to greet our son, Alex, when he arrives in New York on Sunday!