The Jersey Shore in Cape May.
No, this is NOT a post about Pauly D, Snookie or J Woww. I will however shamefully admit to having viewed an episode (or three) of this indescribable phenomenon and justifying it as research for this trip.
Here’s Laurie G. going incognito in her favorite beach hat and juicy sunglasses. Given that it is early in the day and you can already see a slight tone of pink I think there might be another type of “Situation” occurring.
The Chalfonte
We began our beach trip by checking into The Chalfonte, a Cape May hotel that dates back to 1876. It was heavy on the charm and light on the air conditioning. But there was a sweet porch.
The room we stayed in can only be described as quaint. It lost some of its charms when the fire alarm went off not once, but twice in the middle of the night.
The dining room was pretty and featured artwork by local artists.
You could also choose to dine outside.
I think the best part of the hotel was the view from the third-floor cupola.
The Jersey Shore
Sweet Girl and Sweet Boy were eager to hit the beach.
It wasn’t long before they were making friends with a few sea creatures.
They insisted on being photographed with this rescue boat.
I thought my camera might be broken so I took a second shot just to make sure. Phew, it’s working.
We also drove over and saw the Cape May Lighthouse.
Early the next morning we were back on the beach.
The sky was overcast and the day felt perfect. The kids set out to build a huge fortress.
Sweet Girl was nice and didn’t dump the icy water on Sweet Boy’s head. 🙂
Star-spangled sand digger.
It wasn’t long before some new friends were made.
A collective sand creature.
All in all, it was a good day save for two little “situations”. My cousin wore a tankini suit and applied sunscreen, but somehow her top crept up, thus earning her the nickname “Burnt Muffin Top”. She declined an offer to be photographed.
I too also applied sunscreen lavishly but somehow missed the area of my hips and saddlebags, earning me the apt moniker of “Hotpockets”. I also declined an offer to be photographed. (Hee hee) Trying to get dressed the next day was an experience. It brought to mind a favorite episode where Lucy had to put on a tweed suit after being fried.
Lucy The Elephant
But we soldiered on and met another fabulous Lucy.
Lucy the Elephant is a six story example of novelty architecture. She was originally constructed of wood and tin sheeting in 1882 by James V. Lafferty in an attempt to help sell real estate.
Over the years Lucy has been a restaurant, a business office, a tavern and even a home. She became a national historic landmark in 1976.
You can take tours inside Lucy. The two circular windows are her “eyes”.
Here is Sweet Boy taking in the view from Lucy’s howdah (carriage mount) which was recently repaired after it was struck by lighting in 2006.
We love Lucy!
Thanks for coming to the Jersey Shore with us.
Laura
wow!
you are so funny, Laura!
glad your camera was working. how else would you have shared such an experience with us? 😉
some things just have to be SEEN to be believed. six story elephants. . .
gracious!
Hi Laura!! Oh, wht a wonderful time you and your family must have had! Love seeing your children having so much fun!! Very good sand castle/creature! 🙂
Be a sweetie,
shelia 😉
How fun!! 🙂
Of course, my daughter knows that show but I have never actually seen it. You look adorable as always and your story was so fun to read… on that second photo of the rescue boat, are you sure you weren't taking a photo of the handsome life guards? LOL One is at least smiling at the camera. 😀
It looks like a great time was had by all. The hotel had some quirks but it's quite pretty. I love the neat lizard the kids made in the sand and I had a huge laugh over burnt muffin top and hot pockets!! Funny!! ;-D
xoxo
Jane
Laura..
thanks again for sharing the delightful, insightful and whimsical vacation doings in Cape May!
i totally relaxed and enjoyed the visit to the Jersey shore..
however, love my beaches best!
warm sandy hugs..
Loui♥
I have no idea who those people are and don't know which TV show you're talking about. Guessing I live in a cave or something. Isn't it great how children can just find friends anywhere and will play together. Love that. I burn if I step out of the shade for even one moment. I look like a beekeeper at the beach!
What fun, aside from the sunburn of course…glad you are getting some use out of the hat!
Hi Laura, loved your pics of Cape May, the lighthouse, and Lucy (the elephant!) I was born in Cape May County and lived there for a number of years. The beach was always my favorite..and the boardwalks! Felt like being at home! Thanks for sharing.
Smiles and Blessings,
Nancy
I am disappointed you didn't get a picture of “the boat” on the cloudy day too! Looks like fun and I'm glad you didn't succumb to “the Snookie poof” and wore a hat instead.
Looks like a
classic beach
vacation! Your
hotel was lovely;
right out of an
old movie!!! I
actually prefer
the beach on a
cloudy day; no
sun beating down
on me, thank you
very much! What
terrific memories
you made this summer,
Laura!
xx Suzanne
LOVE this post. I'm there, with you, in my mind! I've always wanted to go {although I'll skip the hot pink fried color, thank you very much, ouch!}
Thanks so much for entering our APRON GIVEAWAY! Cynthia designs beauties, doesn't she??
xo Lidy
AWESOME photos!! love love love love LUCY!!! She looks like a lot of FUN! :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)
Laura, you are truly funny. I'm thinking I really would have liked to see the sunburn picture…you know just so we could feel bad for you and all. hahaha…So sorry about that. Love the pictures with the kids and the sand sculpture is amazing. I've never seen anything like that!
Blessings,
Debbie
O.K.–here's the “situation”–this post is hilarious, but I would certainly like the blogging community to know that the “Muffin Top” portrait is NOT an accurate representation of my overall shape!!! 🙂 Just a little disclaimer there…(“purse, not butt”…LOL) I loved the “checking the camera” photo of the lifeguards, uh, I mean, the boat!! Too bad we didn't check the camera when the umbrella rental guy placed our umbrella, not once, but TWICE!! Thanks for the laughs–your visit was definitely the highlight of our summer. Love you!! –Tara aka “Burnt Muffin Top” (which has now turned a lovely shade of tan…quite the tan line, you know?)
Fun post, Laura! Spent some summers there as a kid–thanks for the memories!
Laura,
Next time, I will tell you my favorite place to stay. So glad Sweet Boy got to visit Lucy! Your last photo looked out of scale, then I realized they are standing on a bench.
Your Friend,
Deborah
Oh the places you've been! 🙂
What a fun vacation!
~Liz
Love that bicycle photo! Glad you are having a great trip! We are famous at this house for missing “strategic” spots with sunscreen leaving some odd patterns! :)Take care!
I adore the Jersey shore grew up going there…as a teenager my family and I did some painting and restoring work at the Chalfont….how fun to see you staying there…Lucy is soo cool thanks for sharing…
ooohhh sorry about the burn…but “hot pockets” made me laugh out loud all alone in my kitchen!