Unexpected

It's impossible to plan a trip without dreaming... envisioning what one will encounter in a place one has never visited.  It's the impetus for carving away at busy schedules, and well, all that schlepping of suitcases.  One of the pleasantest aspects of travel (or the most frustrating) can be the ways in which those dreams are challenged by the reality of a place.

We expected that by traveling south in springtime, we'd encounter warmer weather, but the temps are about the same here in southern New Jersey as they've been in Maine for the past few weeks. Glad we brought wool socks and fleece jackets, and that the Buglet has a heater!

We expected   to sit around campfires in lovely state parks with our doggie beside us begging for bites of roasted marshmallows, only to learn that most state parks in New Jersey don't allow dogs. No dogs!  So after only one night, we had to abandon the idea of relaxing in those pretty unspoiled arenas, and had to make our way to, sigh... a private campground. This one isn't terrible. But it isn't wonderful. It isn't a state park.

Tuesday, our first full day here, was grayish and cold, and we spent it lounging about in the Airstream, reading, resting, and mostly eating. Everything tastes extraordinary on vacation, even plain things like bread and butter. Even string beans. Our small container of Ben and Jerry's vanilla heath-bar crunch was downright orgasmic.

We awoke Wednesday morning to rain pinging the aluminum over our heads, and with weather reports speaking of all-day showers, we envisioned another day of quiet inside events.  But feeling a bit antsy to - well, begin our vacation, we decided to go out to breakfast, and then drive around a bit. We found a great eating place (Mad Batter Cafe), and while stuffing ourselves with Benedict (me) and a lobster/crab frittata (D.), were delighted to realize that the sun was making a completely unexpected appearance through the restaurant windows!

 This pretty town of Cape May, with its sweet Victorian homes, is very walkable, and with stuffed tummies and sunshine warming the tops of our heads, we made our way to the long, long promenade running parallel to the Jersey shore. The day became beautiful, and we discarded ideas of indoor activities right along with our sweaters.  We walked for a couple of hours, savoring the sound of hard tides and sea birds, the salty smell in the air, our Willie keeping right up despite his short doxie legs. It wasn't until we left that we saw the sign saying "No dogs allowed on the promenade."

We then drove to Cape May Point State Park, where of course, dogs were also not allowed. Our boy does not do well being separated from his beloved Alpha and Beta litter mates (us), so after rolling down the windows to assure him some cool ocean breezes, we walked the beach, and later climbed all 199 steps to the tippytop of Cape May's Lighthouse, all the while being serenaded by Willie's embarrassingly loud, affronted "Roo! Roo! Roo!"

 From there, a short drive took us to Sunset Beach, famous for crab cakes at the Sunset Grill, and for Cape May diamonds, very clear quartz crystals that wash up on the beach in abundance. They polish up really nicely, making wonderful jewelry. It was also one of the few places we found that welcomed dogs. Even the Sunset Grill had a sign saying there was a place for four-footed patrons on the lower deck. Unfortunately, the grill was... closed. (sigh)

The realization that we were becoming tired coincided with the disappearance of the sun and the reappearance of the cool, so we made our way back to the campsite, where we roasted sausages on the fire, and gave Will just the teensiest bite of marshmallow to make up for the fact that New Jersey doesn't seem to like dogs.  

We realize that the remainder of our week here will be shaped largely by where Willie can and can't go. But that's okay. He's our sweet little Gamma-Boy.

  

Comments

[ellen phillips]

wow! who would have thought that jersey would be so rough on dogs? even michigan lets them into the state parks, though not near the beaches.

in spite of that & the less than optimal weather, sounds like a great start - good food (sublime green beans?), groovy homes, ocean!, crystals, campfire. love! in all ways.

& do love being able to share this with you through your wonderful writing & dave's wonderful photography.

i do have to ask - so you are trekking around & climbing lighthouses in flip flops, my hearty friend of good feet?

(((hugs))) to you & the boys! wishes for continued unexpected pleasures.

xoxo, ep