June 21                                   Cape May, New Jersey

We were eager to see Cape May and took down the bicycles for a long ride about the town.  Only minutes after leaving the dock, David had a call from the office and returned to his computer.  We agreed to meet when he finished.  I chose to take the route that led around the island to the beach.  The weather was cool with only a slight breeze—a perfect day for biking.

Cape May is proud of being the nation’s first seashore resort.  At the turn of the century, it rivaled Newport as a summer destination.  Presidents Lincoln, Grant, Harrison, and McKinley vacationed here.  Designated as a National Historic Site, Cape May boasts of more than four hundred Victorian-style homes, many of them built in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.  Most of the larger ones are now bed and breakfasts or inns.  They dominate Beach Drive and are showplaces of architectural design with gorgeous lawns and magnificent displays of hydrangeas, lilies, begonias, and periwinkles.  Every street was clean and buildings were painted and well-kept.  Civic pride was evident as I encountered residents who were eager to share information about sites to visit, tours, and restaurants.

David soon called and we rendezvoused at the small outdoor pedestrian mall that comprises the shopping center of the town.  After a lunch of fried oysters and chicken salad (an unusual combination which was featured on menus of several restaurants), we had a long bike ride along the beach and through the residential area.

Cape May’s beach was filled with bathers and dotted with colorful umbrellas and tents.  The modest charge to enter the beach areas pays for cleaning and maintenance.  For several miles, it was a picture postcard scene of blue water, white sand, and green dunes.  With few buildings between the beach and the boardwalk (actually asphalt), the view from Beach Drive was unobstructed far out into the ocean.

Returning to the boat, David decided to lower the dinghy into the water.  I opted to lie on the sofa and read my newly purchased book and take a nap.  My rest was soon disturbed by men’s voices giving directions, advising caution, and making comments concerning the dinghy.  I surmised there was a problem but opted to let others solve it.  I continued my nap.  After an hour or so, I awakened to find the dinghy in the water, the light on our new stern camera broken, and four men standing on the dock drinking bottles of beer.  Apparently, David and the dockhand had a line, hooked to the dinghy, become tangled. It failed to lift properly and broke the camera light (fortunately, the camera, which aids in docking, was unharmed). When the dinghy settled into the water, it quickly began to sink.  The drain plug had not been replaced when the dinghy was serviced several months ago. Hearing the commotion, three men rushed over and helped to retrieve it before it sank. The dinghy and its 40 HP motor were heavy but, with the aid of the connection to the davit on the bridge, they were successful  in keeping it upright.The were rewarded with beer from our fridge. David was embarrassed but was quickly assured that “it happens to everyone.”   We are learning we should not assume anything despite the supposed expertise of others.