NEW YORK CITY

  

We found an American Legion in NJ to leave our RV right across from the train station. Fantastic. We were so very fortunate to have a friend whose daughter lives in NYC and offered to let us stay over the  long holiday weekend while they were out of town! The building on the right with a fabulous view of the river. Within walking distance to Central Park, Lincoln Center, Rockefeller Center, Times Square, & across the street from the Greenway path along the river. We loved stopping in the Deli’s picking out ready make food to take back, kick back and enjoy the view after a long day of sight seeing. Can not thank them enough. This was the highlight of of our east coast trip.

 

Freedom Tower

   We bought the NYC Explorer Pass. Used it for 2 days of Hop on/off bus, a cruise around lower Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty, The Top of the Rock, the Museum of Natural History and a 2 hour guided bike tour through Central Park. We also visited the 911 World Trade Tower Memorial, which is not finished at this time so one is still walking around a lot of construction. I think it will be very nice when it’s finished.

Philly

 

We stayed in NJ taking a  less than 10 min. bus  ride to the PATCO train station for a 30 min. ride into Philly. We bought a half price Groupon for a Hop on and off bus tour. Great way to see everything. We went into the city three days in a row. Loved this city, easy to get around, clean, loads of history, great food. Independence Hall , constitution hall, Liberty Bell, Christ Church, and much much more.  

L

Loved walking down 9th ST called the Italian Market! Has everything, fish, meat, cheese, bakeries, fruit, vegies! We had to try the Famous Philly Steak sandwiches at Geno’s and Pats King of Steaks. Verdict- about the same. Lots of fun to try them but not out of this world sandwiches.

Great little China town, we had an inexpensive ,generous very delicious lunch.   

We spent one afternoon at the Constitution Center. They have a limited time exhibition called “1968” Whoa one almost forgets what an explosive year that was. Great center.

NEW JERSEY

    We enjoyed a 85 minute ferry ride from  Lewes Delaware to Cape May New Jersey. This town being our favorite beach town so far, no high risers and nothing built on the water side but  a long paved walkway high enough to view the ocean over the dunes. We discovered one must buy a pass to access the beaches in NJ. Of course there are yearly passes for the locals so not too costly. Cape May is full of charming houses and also a nice little shopping town about 2 blocks in from the shore different than the seaside food and gifts shops.

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.

note new grass planting in Atlantic City NJ

  Took the local bus from our campground to Atlantic City NJ. Well worth it and no parking hassles. The boardwalk is very long we didn’t even walk the entire length. It was also very hot even with a slight ocean breeze. Liked the amusement park on the Steel Pier, walking the boardwalk and were thrilled to see the sand sculptures tournament. They were fantastic! We also liked the water fountain show in the on the pier mall. We don’t gamble so no news on that front. The waiter told us the town has changed so much in recent years, now being very friendly (no attitude) and tourist/family oriented. At one time it wasn’t even safe. It certainly looks thriving now!

DELAWARE

 

 

 

  

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!

On the shores of Maryland

Ocean City MD

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.

 

VA EASTERN SHORE

The weather wasn’t being very cooperative upon coming to the VA Eastern Shore, but it didn’t rain constantly so continued on. We stayed at an RPI park called the Virginia Landing, largest park we ever saw, needed to pack a lunch to get to the pool! Remote and not much to do in these area. Very rural & farmlands. There was a fantastic sculptor named Turner whose gallery we really enjoyed. Also found a seaside eatery to indulge in mussels, crab cakes & grouper.

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.

The Casemate Museum,Fort Monroe VA

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. 

 The Casemate Museum opened on June 1, 1951 to display the cell where the Confederate President Jefferson Davis was imprisoned after the Civil War. Since then, the museum has expanded to depict the history of Fort Monroe  and the U.S. Army Cost Artillery Corps. The museum highlights Major General Benjamin Butlers Contraband of Was decision which on May 23, 1861 granted refuge to three escaped slaves. Thousands more followed and Fort Monroe became known as the Freedom Fort.

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.