We have driven a ways along the southern NJ shore line and we are happy to note we have seen no aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Never having been here before we would not notice anything different except for the new sea grass on all the dunes and of course the fencing. We can not tell if the houses are rebuilt or not. They have done a wonderful job of repairing at least where we have been. The NJ shoreline is a lovely long white sand beach with relatively small waves.
We drove a whole 24 miles today along the coast from Maryland to Lewes Delaware. Well this was the first time our RV was actually to large for most of the this coastline. Our first and only stop was Bethany Beach, very nice little beach town as shown in above photos. It was early so we lucked out and found a pay parking lot we could fit in. Enjoyed a walk through town & along the boardwalk. Too early for lunch so we drove on only to discover we could not find anywhere to park for a lunch break on this crowded narrow strip of coastline. Got near Lewes “The first town in the first state” to an Outlet Mall. Yeah lots of parking. Hey shopping too.
The photo with me & the MONEY we won at the Elk lodge playing bar card bingo. Played 10 rounds losing each time until the last $313.00. Yipee!
We looked up restaurants on Roadfood to find this wonderful Cajun place in Milton, only a few miles away. We ordered Blackened scallops with spinach and capers, a cup of gumbo & a shrimp po’boy . Fantastic!
is all a vacationing beach lover could want. The three mile boardwalk starts with an amusement park having all the indoor and outdoor activities that one imagines at the shore. The great smells of cotton candy, hot dogs, funnel cakes along with suntan lotion on the beach going masses. Lots of gift shops, restaurants plus miles of hotels and condos.
We walked the Boardwalk, enjoyed some fish tacos, walked back over the bridge to the free parking.
We drove south another few miles to the north end of Assateague Island.
Assateague Island is shared between Virginia and Maryland, it is not drivable from one end to the other, you visit the south then drive inland to Maryland to visit the north end.
The north end also has beautiful white sand beaches and wild ponies although they are allowed to roam free, not fenced in as at the south end.
Went north visiting the NASA visitor center at Wallops. Then to Chincoteague Island which is a bustling little tourist town on the inside waterway. Looks like a great vacation spot. Although you have to drive into the Assateague NWR to get to the sandy beach. Did have to use telephoto lens to get a picture of the Wild Ponies.
Constructed from 1819-1834 it was originally designed to protect the Hampton Roads waterway from an enemy attack.
It is the largest stone fortification built in the United States with walls stretching 1.3 miles and enclosing 63 acres.
The sign reads that President Lincoln stayed at this barrack.
We were parked on the waterfront so enjoyed the entire day on the shore. Wonderful long walk on the paved path along the waters edge.
Entering the 17.6 mile Chesapeake Bridge/tunnel to Virginia’s Eastern Shore.
A wonderland of American history, Colonial Williamsburg is a feast of fun that transports the family back to the eighteenth century and immerses it in everyday colonial life. The 301-acre city is open only to foot traffic and carriages, and in truth takes more than one day to fully explore; start off with a visit to the booths at Market Square, where children from toddlers to preteens can don historic costumes, three-pointed hats, and pretty straw hats to fully get in character for their visit. Interpretive programs vary by day, with a heavy emphasis on bringing history to a child's level while still fascinating adults.
Founded in 1607, Jamestown, Virginia, was the first English colony to survive into a lasting settlement in what later became the United States. The colony, privately funded by the Virginia Company and led by English mercenary John Smith, suffered staggeringly high death rates in the early years. However, it flourished after John Rolfe (who married Pocahontas, daughter of Powhatan chief Wahunsenacawh) introduced improved tobacco seed varieties from Trinidad after 1610.
Discover what it took for the United States to be independent as you explore the site of the last major battle of the Revolutionary War. Here at Yorktown, in the fall of 1781, General George Washington, with allied American and French forces, besieged General Charles Lord Cornwallis’s British army. On October 19, Cornwallis surrendered, effectively ending the war and ensuring independence
Note the cannon ball lodge in the side of one of the few original homes that survived the battle.
The next day brought sunshine so off to tour the Brodie Island Lighthouse, built in 1872.
Then to the Wright Brothers National Memorial. A great visitor center with a replica of plane they flew. Reconstructed Buildings they used ; a hanger and their living quarters. The Monument and Big Kill Devil Hill where the Wright brothers conducted more than 1,000 glider flights. A Sculpture of the first flight replicated in life-sized art. And first flight boulder markers. December 17, 1903 was one of the greatest scientific achievements of the 20th century.
Arrived on the shore late afternoon, getting the last spot at Cedar Pt. in the Croatan Nat’l Forest. Really nice park with w&e . Nice boardwalk there too.
Next day went to Emerald Island only a few miles away. Great bike path. Later in the day we drove up the coast. Stopped at the Historic town of Beaufort
Caught the 7:00AM ferry to Orcacoke Isl. Walked around town.
Then enjoyed the afternoon sitting at the beach. We stayed at the campground at the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Large sites just a sand dune away from the ocean.
