My First Time

How is it that I've lived in New Jersey for 18+ years and have never been to Cape May?!

Crazy, right?!  And the drive couldn't have been easier.  Once on the local highway, it took but a few turns and just under 3 hours!  With my new-found birding hobby, Cape May will be an annual (at least!) destination here on out.

The day started out overcast and drizzly.  Garden work crossed off the To-Do List and with the weekend to myself, it was time for a new adventure.  Cape May Point is the southern most tip of our Garden State so that's where I headed.   A leisurely stroll on Sunset Beach sounded perfect.  Though fingers crossed that the weather would clear up and the sunset would be worth the effort.

 Other than a handful of fishermen, the beach was pretty quiet so it was mainly me and the birds!  Lots and lots of them!

 Clouds were rolling fast so the light was ever changing.  I love the glitter effect on the ocean's surface as the sun peeked in and out of storm clouds.

 And how vibrant blue it was in the next frame.  The object in the water is the stern of the SS Atlantus.  It was the 2nd concrete steamer (out of 12) and was launched in 1918 as part of the World War I Emergency Fleet.  In 1926 it was purchased with plans to be used as a ferry dock.  Unfortunately, a storm hit and she ran aground 150ft. off the coast of Sunset Beach.

How funny that at one time there was even a billboard painted on the side of the ship, advertising boat insurance!

Growing up in Southern California, the beach was a part of the landscape I took for granted.  It was just there, something you drove by.  As an adult, I treasure each visit home and make sure I get daily beach time.  If ever there was a place one needs to 'get away from it all', the shore is it.  Beach therapy ranks right up there with Garden therapy....don't you agree?

Though my 'Life List' is still very meager, I was thrilled to be able to add at least a dozen different shore birds (mostly gulls) to it.

By late afternoon, the crowd picked up and it was fun to see beach goers of all ages,

and breeds!

Oh! By the way, I learned, after the fact, that one is not allowed beyond the grass dunes.   These plantings help provide a strong line of defense during storms.  They really are resilient and the town even has an annual "Volunteer Plant Day".  I was sweetly scolded by a resident gentleman, as he saw me crouching here, behind the dunes for photos. Supposedly, the fine is  $1000.....yikes!!

Before I knew it, it was that magic time of day.  More visitors arrived for the last glimpse of the dipping sun.  It was cool to see a few photographers set up tripods that sported huge lens!  And me, with my handy point and shoot...lol!

  

 I have a renewed love for the beach.  The smell of salt water, the gentle lapping of the waves at my feet, the wind in my face...all combine to create such a sense of peace and calm.

 I loved that this mom-to-be happened into my frame.  I know she felt that sense of peace.   

In a blink, the sun kissed the horizon and the crowd sighed in wonder.  I decided to extend my adventure and spend the night in hopes of catching the sunrise the following day.  I'll share that on another post.  Thanks for visiting, friends!  Have a beautiful day, wherever you are....

What's blooming around the pond...

...haha! Gotcha! For those that know I live in New Jersey, were you scratching your head?! Life around the pond is non existent...at least above the surface. The only flowers I'm growing now are the indoor variety. Paperwhites, amaryllis and poinsettias. They keep us gardeners from going stir crazy, right?

A cozy picture of Lacey, looking out at the pond. See that bear in the distance?

Here he is close up. Our pond protector! A carving we won from a raffle at the New Hampshire Craftsman's Fair back in August.

Pond? What pond? Our 11x16 pond is completely ice and snow covered. Well, except for the bubbler creating oxygen for the kois. Keep your fingers crossed for me that the family of 8 are all accounted for come April. And notice the little footprints leading to the water? They're not mine!

These dried ornamental grasses are pretty waving in the wind...


A sunflower...

...that's winter hardy!

A splash of red and pink glass...

Chasing a sunset a few days ago, I had to hit the brakes hard as 3 deer darted right in my path and as I looked up the hill, I saw a fourth. She was probably saying "hurry up, the view up here is amazing!". A heart racing moment, but, knowing me, I just went for the camera.



We all know how time crawls when we're staring at the clock, but, I can't help it...I'm starting my countdown for Spring! Just don't hit the snooze button!

Wordless Wednesday....

Captured June 1, 2010
off the Garden State Parkway

Chasing Fire...

On a recent drive home, I was blinded by the reflection in the rear view mirror. So busy in my thoughts that I somehow missed the blaze going on behind me! And, of course, I now HAD to capture this amazing view. But going 70mph on a busy highway made pulling over quite impossible! Thank goodness I knew of an upcoming exit. But time was running out quick!
The red light allowing me to pull a U-ey lasted an eternity...isn't that always the case?!

Now on a road paralleling the highway, I was determined to chase this fire in the sky. Again, obstacles found their way into ruining my perfect picture~telephone poles, buildings, oncoming cars! And more time lost...

Oooh, a crest in the next turn! Tricky angle but doable...Now pulled over and sitting on my opened window ledge of a door, my back leaned way out, I had the perfect view! Tell me you wouldn't have done the same...even with cars whizzing by!

Was this view worth it?

Absolutely! For me! How could I resist not sitting and staring at one of the most gorgeous sunsets I've ever seen! Could you?

Lost in my thoughts again, until the voice of a 15-year passenger impatiently asked "Can we go home now?!" Darn them kids!!

Doctor....I Can't Sleep!

I am wide awake and it's 3am! It's happening more and more...I don't like it! So what to do except this! Gee, if only we could get paid for blogging..we'd do it 24/7 right?

For the last week, after every couple of functions on the keyboard, I get a warning that I'm running low on disk space. Deleting files from the hard drive is kind of confusing since I'm not sure which ones are junk. Weeding through my photo files will save alot of room. Each month's file has about 1,000 pics so I'm deleting a ton of them! Email in-box is also a big culprit. This will take time so, at least for tonight, I have something to do!

Some very random photos before I hit 'Delete'.

We live in one of the highest points in Clinton, and just a few streets over, homes have this view of the reservoir! I was gardening last week when I noticed the pretty pink cast in the sky so in I ran for the car keys and camera and was just in time to capture this sunset. Going... Going... Gone! Too bad they're blurry!This blooming weed is all over my yard. Mr_Subj just did a post identifying it. I pull out tons but leave some to bloom for late interest, and they look great in arrangements. See...very similar to baby's breath. I just threw them together with some sedum, verbena and chinese lantern pods. Don't know why I'm not sleeping well. My schedule has been kind of crazy too so I SHOULD be exhausted. Could it have anything to do with my baby being away at college? You bet! So if I don't mention it, would you notice that her dress is on backwards here?! I miss you, kiddo! My little white fluff ball of a shadow is right here beside me though. Bandit was in snoring mode but as soon as I crept out of bed, he was up! Don't you just love that in a pet? Well, okay....maybe NOT when you really want some privacy...lol!I wouldn't think I'm alone in this wide-eyed dilemma...I bet some of you can totally relate...right?

You just know I'll be a walking zombie come 2pm! Yawning, puffy bags under the eyes, sleeping at my desk...but, let's not go there!I found this praying mantis getting ready to take a chomp on this cicada...WARNING...kinda gross! Ewww...

Driving home a few nights ago, I noticed the cloudscapes were kind of eerie, but also kind of pretty. So I had to pull over and trek through some very prickly brush to find this! I sat a bit admiring the view but it got dark fast and I was creeping myself out! This is exactly what you tell your kids NOT to do...

On the news the other night, I saw a story about a facility in NYC that caters to all-night insomniacs. You check in after dark. Dinner is served at midnight, then activities til sunrise! Sounds like a fun club! Wonder if the doc will write me a Rx.

Hey, thanks for the company guys but now I am just rambling....

Please...tell me your cure for insomnia!

Better get back to my project * Yawn*

I'mmm Baaack!

Back from a wonderful vacation in SUNapee, NH! Oh, but I missed you all! Who knew a week away would cause such blogging withdrawal?! And I got pretty sick I tell ya! Had to take a break though~I had no choice! Internet service in the mountains was hit or miss, mostly the latter!
We lucked out with perfect weather though, for hiking and boating. When I think of New Hampshire, I think of lakes and lighthouses...

Dinner cruise anyone?

The kids had a blast!

A hazy morning here but you can just make out the lake. We ascended around 2500ft. to Lake Solitude. I would have photographed all the cool woodland plants (ferns, mushrooms) but the gang left me in the dust! Hey, these little feet don't go very fast! And it was a very muddy and root-rutted trail.

You just knew I had to include flowers in this post!

And a duck... and a chipmunk...lol! A favorite past-time~reading and relaxing.

Ahhh....you can just feel the peace... And talk about jaw-dropping gorgeous sunsets...

Can you tell I love this little island...so cute!By week's end, I was very sad to leave.

So, 'til next time, Sunapee...

I'll be missing thee...okay, corny rhyme!