On The Road With Denis & Starr/Day 11 - Cape May, NJ

Sunday, October 11

Cape May, New Jersey

Discovered by Henry Hudson, the nation's oldest seashore resort, Cape May, celebrates it's 400th Anniversary this year.  Arriving last night, we felt as though we had stepped back in time as we passed block after block of Victorian era houses and Bed & Breakfast hotels.

It was Victorian Week in Cape May, the town's annual celebration of it's Victorian heritage.  We had booked the last room available for miles around.  It was a third floor walk up in what we could only describe at first as a once opulent but now spooky house, the Abbey - A Bed & Breakfast Inn.  After hauling our too many bags up the narrow and winding staircases and landings we just about fell into our little room, named The Saratoga, at the tippy top of the house.  We agreed that it would grow on us and that it did.

In no time at all we were settled and comfortable in The Saratoga.

A Soy Latte in a crystal goblet and all is right with the world!

Unlike the other B&B's we had visited, The Abbey had many rules and regulations.  The parking pass was to be displayed in the center of the windshield at all times when parked on the grounds - not to the left, nor to the right; a secret code had to be memorized and used to enter any and all doors; attendance at breakfast was to be signed up for no later that 9 p.m. the previous evening and prompt arrival for the meal was expected.  Full payment for the stay was collected up front with the tax payable only in cash.

Each morning we arrived for the community breakfast which lasted for 45 minutes.   The table was set completely with Royal Albert's Old English Roses china.  During our three days stay, we were served something called "Scrapple" three different ways.  It was sort of a bread puddingy dish.  On the first day it was dressed up with a raspberry compote, next it was spiced up with pepper jack cheese and finally it disguised itself as French toast with real maple syrup.  It was really quite delicious, my favorite being the cheesy one.  Fresh fruit always preceded the Scrapple and for the carnivores there was always some type of breakfast meat.  The morning with the most attendees included 6 vegetarians out of 10 guests. The other guests were friendly and interesting and breakfast time was always lively with conversation.  Our host, Jay, arrived each morning in a different get up and would join us at the table offering helpful insight into making our visits to Cape May enjoyable.

Jay, appearing as Teddy Roosevelt, I think....

The Abbey's Historic District location was perfect for walking to the Beachfront Promenade, for viewing the blocks and blocks of architectural treasures and for shopping on Washington, Ocean and Perry Streets.  So, full of Scrapple we ventured out.

 Although not a tea room, this adorable shop on Perry Street was chock full of cute accoutrements for a Victorian tea table.

www.teacapemay.com

A knitter's dream at Fiber Arts Yarn Shop on Ocean Street.

www.yarnsrus.net

An ornament for everyone's taste at Winterwood on the Washington Mall.

www.winterwoodgift.com

I chose this one!!

And then off we went to The Fisherman's Wharf.  There, Denis found the subject for his next pen & ink.

A very late lunch for us today at Lucky Bones Backwater Grille at the foot of the Cape May Bridge.  www.luckybonesgrille.com

For starters, our Martinis.

Dry... Vodka... Olives for me.

Denis was daring, trying a Fudge Kitchen - Vodka, Dark Cocoa & Godiva White.

It was sweet, but so good.

Denis chose the Grilled Veggie Burger.  It was topped with brick oven roasted vegetables and herb mayonnaise.  He commented that it was the best he had ever had.

My Rocket Salad combined fresh arugula, olives, roasted veggies, shaved fennel, fresh mozzarella and it was lightly tossed with a creamy green vinaigrette.  It was paired with an order of brick oven focaccia and EVOO, making it the perfect late lunch/early dinner.

That evening we had our weekly Skype session with Adrien.  He is well and thriving at Rice University.

On the porch of The Abbey with our Baby Boy!!

Denis worked well into the twilight hours.....

Ta Da!!!