Egg Harbor, New Jersey June 3 - 9, 2007

On June 3rd, a very rainy Sunday, we headed north from the Delaware shore to Egg Harbor, New Jersey.  Now your first question is probably, "Where?"  The second question will likely be, "Why?"  First, the where:  Egg Harbor is about 15 miles west of Atlantic City.  The why:  We decided to go there because, 1) we were assured that New Jersey earned its title of "The Garden State" and is quite beautiful, 2) we wanted to color in another state on our travel map, and 3) the primary reason was to visit Vicki, a very charming woman we met during our stay at Bonita Springs, Florida.

We stayed at Holly Acres RV Park, which appears to be about 75% seasonal folks that leave their RVs and visit on weekends, and the rest short timers like ourselves.  Consequently, the place was nearly deserted during the week.  The park is located on a country road in the middle of a pine forest and the loudest sound was pinecones dropping on our roof.

After making arrangements to meet with Vicki later in the week we headed east to Atlantic City - like most casino areas we weren't impressed with its beauty.  The area itself looked a bit "tired" and we quickly understood the many warnings against wandering into the questionable areas just west of the beach and casinos. 

However, the historic Atlantic City Boardwalk provided prime people watching opportunities.  The folks visiting the casinos apparently want to increase their odds by visiting the numerous fortune telling establishments, and, after a hard night of gambling, need to relax at one of the many and varied massage salons.  We walked the length of the Boardwalk to the Historical Museum on Garden Pier and learned of the city's very interesting and turbulent history.

We left Atlantic City and drove south to the beautiful village of Margate to see Lucy the Elephant.  Lucy was built in 1882 by a real estate developer trying to attract tourist to what was then called "South Atlantic City".  Lucy, the embodiment of "kitsch", stands 65 feet tall, weighs 90 tons and has been designated a National Historic Landmark.  Susan, being a leading arbiter of taste, loved her.

On a beautiful clear day we headed north to the Sandy Hook Lighthouse and to checkout the many beach communities along the way.  We had lunch at the beautiful town of Long Branch overlooking the sea and were surprised to see pampered palms being coaxed to put down roots so far north.  The poor trees must shiver in the frigid Atlantic winters.

After admiring Long Branch we drove further north to the Twin Lights of Navesink in Highlands, NJ.   The twin lighthouses built in 1862 are situated 200 feet above sea level, the highest point in New Jersey.  They provide a wonderful view of the New York City skyline, the bay and the long spit of land called Sandy Hook, our next destination.

Sandy Hook Gateway National Recreation Area provides great fishing, birding, windsurfing, hiking and beach bathing opportunities.  The Sandy Hook Lighthouse built in 1764 and Fort Hancock, now a historic district, are open to the public. We climbed the spiral staircase to the top of the lighthouse to enjoy the views of New York City and Staten Island.

Egg Harbor is conveniently situated on the commuter rail line connecting Atlantic City and Philadelphia, so we hopped the train into Philly, and took the subway to Independence National Historic Park.  We did it all, the Liberty Bell, Independence and Congress Halls, Christ Church, Second Bank, Franklin Square, Philosopher's Society, etc.  We walked the beautiful tree lined streets admiring the colonial and federalist architecture, strolled to the Landing at the Delaware River and popped into a brewery for a cool one

We crashed back into the 21st Century on South Street.  South Street is a melting pot of street life.  It boasts a colorful mix of languages, ethnicities and ages pressing into the numerous shops and cafes lining the narrow street.  Tourists from around the globe in comfortable shoes mingle with tattooed and pierced young people wearing whatever pleases them.  It was a wonderful parade of life.

Back in Egg Harbor we caught up with Vicki at her beautiful home.  We spent the afternoon visiting with her and had an opportunity to meet her daughter and three grandkids that live next door.  The next morning we got a pleasant surprise when Vicki stopped by our campground to say goodbye before we headed north to Rhinebeck, NY.  You meet the nicest people sometimes…