Does it seem to you that the 2013 Bike Adventure is lasting forever? I feel sure that it must! In reality, it was 7 days long but by not being able to upload photos from the road, I am posting now … almost 2 weeks after the trip!
On this, the 6th day of the trip, I rode the bike to Lewes, DE in order to take the ferry across the Delaware Bay to Cape May, NJ. It was much less expensive (by almost $40) to ride over as a pedestrian than it would have been to ferry the bike over and because of that I was able to get a cup of coffee and relax while the cars and bikes were loaded. Even better, I was able to see the Kalmar Nyckel, Delaware’s seagoing goodwill ambassador ( http://www.kalmarnyckel.org/).
The original Kalmar Nyckel sailed from Sweden to the New World in 1638 leaving its passengers to establish the first permanent European settlement in the Delaware Valley, the Colony of New Sweden in present-day Wilmington, Delaware.
The replica of the Kalmar Nyckel was built by a group of committed citizens to be a continuing witness to the courage and spirit of those individuals who undertook the mid-winter North Atlantic crossing in 1637-1638. The Kalmar Nyckel Foundation notes that “its historical significance rivals that of the Mayflower, yet her remarkable story has never been widely told”. The public can schedule a tour and can sail on the ship, too.
What a contrast between this Tall Ship replica and the modern ferry.
The ride to Cape May is not quite an hour and a half, which gave me plenty of time to explore the ferry and to relax.
Once on Cape May, I took the shuttle into the historic area. During the 6 mile ride, I had time to chat with the shuttle driver. As a former City Council Member, I am always interested in local government issues such as tourism and revenue generation. The driver noted that if local government officials had not had the strength to withstand those who wanted to tear down historic buildings and homes, then Cape May would be just like any other beach community filled with condos and high rise hotels. Instead, it is a booming tourist economy based on it’s history.
I walked for hours, first exploring the more touristy walking mall and then the beach, where you have to pay for beach access. That may not be a surprise to some of you, but it sure was to me!
Following that I walked through the historic neighborhoods and had to keep pulling my jaw up off the ground. WOW!! Not your typical beach rental!
Lunch (and of course, that cold beer) were enjoyed at Jackson Mountain Cafe, and after that it was time to head back to get the shuttle. The trip back across the bay just seemed to call for an ice cream cone and the taking of a “selfie”. Can you tell I’m content?
(I’m the one with the ball cap … ha!)
I quick stop in historic Lewes gave me more time to explore and opportunities for photography …. followed, of course, by a Bass on draft at The Rose and Crown.
Then, it was one final stop in Bethany Beach …
… before heading to Bluecoast for dinner and to buy a thank you gift certificate for friends. I had a blast watching Billy and Trevor shuck a zillion oysters and clams and prepare all kinds of yummy things to eat.
What a great day … and I can’t believe there’s only one more day of the 2013 Bike Adventure!!
Life on the Bike and other Fab Things 
WHAT AN ADVENTURE!!!! I love the old wooden ship! How very lucky you are to venture to such a whimsical place. Don’t you love it when you get to a destination and there are not just Starbucks and Wallmarts all over! I am going to have to check out Bethany Beach!
Absolutely love local / non-chain businesses and choose them over chains any time that I can. I had a blast!
Im the same way but STUCK out in the suburbs so there is NO ESCAPE!
We saw that ship but didn’t get to see it sail. I love your photos of it from the ferry. I wish there was a place to comment on each photo. Gorgeous photos of Cape May! Did NOT know you had to pay to use the beach. Interesting…..We’ll talk more about all this on Friday!
Thanks Ruth! And actually I will upgrade the blog so that individual photographs can be commented on … someday I’ll make that happen!
Love the photos of the ship. I also liked the beach shot with all the umbrellas. Fun adventure for you, and you’re getting even more out of it for the posts afterward, because you get to re-live it.
You are exactly right, Crystal, about reliving it. It’s been a great way to edit / delete photos and journal the trip. Such an awesome time!
What a stunning place to be! All those old buildings inspire me to work harder on our little bit of antiquity here in Alabama. 😉 LB, I’m so glad you are sharing this journey with us. I may never have known about Cape May otherwise, and it certainly looks like someplace I (we actually) would like to see. Adding this place to our list!
I’m so glad you are enjoying the trip with me. When you go, be sure to walk the neighborhoods and see these homes. I could have taken so many more photographs and spent so much more time exploring the history. I really loved learning that the elected officials withstood criticism and kept Cape May from becoming like any other place.
Awesome post and spectacular photos LB. I really love the welcome to the porch one. The Victorian buildings and B and B’s are great. Really nice job 😀
Thanks Joe …. aren’t those homes amazing! So different from the typical beach rentals (although I wonder about the cost to rent??)
Man O man what a cool excursion. Love the old ship…it’s so close but I have never seen it. You really have to see Cape May in the fall…crowds are gone, beaches are empty as are all the cool places to visit. Super photos LB…you really gave a nice tour!
Oh I’ll bet Cape May IS gorgeous in the fall, without all of the crowds!! Fall is my favorite time of year. The Kalmar Nyckel was so cool to see and if I’d known, I would have arranged to go aboard.
We loved Cape May … for the entire four hours we were there! Thanks for photo-documenting my family’s vacation, Laurie! Ha!
Anytime, Ralph!! I loved that we “shared” parts of our vacation or followed in each other’s foot steps.
What really caught my eye. That jaw-dropping presentation of deviled eggs – setting a new standard for your old stand-bye 🙂 Oh, and the window and sunflowers were my favorite!
Liz, you would have loved this place. I had an amazing crab / avocado salad that even I couldn’t finish (and you know how much I can eat!). The eggs had a bit of salmon tucked inside. The guys made it fun as well!!
What a grand old ship…so cool! Great series of photos, Cape May looks like an interesting place to visit…my type of community!
I’d like to go back in the fall (as one commenter said). I could have spent so much more time exploring and learning more about the history. Very cool place! and yes … the ship! I wish I’d known ahead of time; I probably would have arranged a tour/sail
Love that location! Look at all those fab beach hotels and cute canopied porches, to die for. I can’t imagine how gruesome a journey that would have been from Sweden in the 1600’s, they must have been a hardy bunch. All your photo’s are great, I especially liked the sunflowers against the old grey building with the riveting trim. I also like that the little bird whimsically showed up for the photo shoot at the exact right time on the clock.
I was thinking the same thing (about the hardships that must hvae been endured coming over). I wish I had taken a tour! It was so neat to see it sailing … just like old buildings, we just don’t make new things as beautifully as was done in the past.
All your post it convey vitality and lightens my spirit, thanks for sharing your “Bike Adventures”
All the best
I’m so glad you are enjoying the adventure. It means alot that you took the time to comment!
Just wonderful…I can smell the sea air in your blog…loving your posts!
Just one more post about the trip … feeling a bit sad … but then I remember! Always another road trip around the corner!!
So nostalgic. Mixing history and sailing – you can’t beat that. 😉
Absolutely! I was hoping you’d see this post with that Tall Ship replica. Can you imagine coming across the ocean on a ship so small (in comparison to today)? On the other hand, it is such a beautiful ship!!
Those homes are amazing! I’m kind of sad that the adventure is coming to an end. 🙂
I am too!!! I just wrote the draft for the final day and started out by saying that I not ready to come home!!
Great shots, LB!
I just eat up towns like this! Fantastic.
I’m with you! The whole trip was like riding through a history book – but better!!