We woke up early to a beautiful sunrise over the harbor at Cape May Thusday morning. We motored over to Utsch's Marina and registered for a two day layover. The marina is run by a Pennsylvania Dutch family that has been at this location for three generations. Grandpa Utsch served with Patton in the 2nd Armored Division during WWII. The whole family could not be more welcoming to transient boaters. Any place that gives you a free bottle of wine with your complimentary gift bag on check-in is OK with us.
Downtown Cape May is a registered historic district with a two block walking mall of outdoor cafes and gift shops. There were couples riding in horse drawn carriages being given guided tours of the beautifully restored and gardened houses in the district. I really like the antique fire engine that is on display in its own separate fire house. The Physick "cottage" is a huge Victorian estate that was built by a town doctor. Niki liked the Victorian octagonal house painted bright purple. It's up for sale too! After walking the length of the town, we were really hungry for lunch. All expat exhippie types yearn for an occasional vegan fix, so we landed at the Higher Grounds Coffee House. They had a quirky outdoor garden on the street for diners.
Just as we sat down to be served, a group of musicians appeared from behind the wooden gate at the back of the garden, and started to set up gear. Raliegh learned to play as a young man in Tobago. He is still going strong in his sixties. The guys played everything from reggae to blues to a couple of Bago style country covers. Check it out.
We were having such a good time with this private concert, that we spent a lazy afternoon reading the cosmic messages posted in the garden, and sipping ice cold chai teas. During breaks between sets, Raliegh sat down with us at our table and related a good portion of his life story to us. He told us how hard it had been for him to get together the $60 to buy his first guitar. He says anyone with a passion for something can make it happen. He has always loved music and loves to sing to anyone, especially for tips. His life now is in the States, but he still makes it back to the island for his father's birthday most Decembers. There were lots of affirming messages to absorb.
And of course no cosmic garden would be complete without an homage to the midwifery goddess.
If you ever get to Cape May, this was a real fun place. You should see for yourself and grab a mango smoothie to go.
The plan for Friday is to get the boat prepped for our first offshore leg to Atlantic City. May have time to do a little kayaking on the saltmarsh before setting out on Saturday morning.
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