There was plenty of parking in the large lot, where the park trailheads are as well as the lighthouse, environmental center, and access to the beach. We quickly discovered that leashed pets are not permitted on any of the three hiking trails in the 153-acre Natural Area (disappointing!)
Near the trailhead, is an overlook for bird watching. Cape May is on the migration path for hawks and is known as the "Raptor Capital of America" due to the number of recorded sightings here between September 1 and November 30. On average 60,000 hawks are seen annually from this lookout. Many other migratory and shorebirds can be seen in the wetlands here as well.
The environmental center houses a small museum of the natural and historic features of the park. There are some live reptiles and amphibians on display in tanks as well as some taxidermy animals (fox and river otter) found in the park.
The Atlantic Sturgeon is one of 2 species (of the 25 sturgeon species found worldwide) still found in New Jersey (the other is the Shortnose Sturgeon). Both species are endangered today. Sturgeon are well-known for its roe, used to make caviar. The largest recorded one was caught is the 1700s and was a whopping 28' long and weighed 2,800 pounds! Also shown is the head and shell of sea turtles.
Bird houses for purple martins are lined up outside of the small nature museum at the park. Since the days when Native Americans lived here, people have provided homes for these birds. And the purple martins have found that living with people is much safer than in the wild. They eat flying insects (dragonflies, butterflies, moths, bees, and wasps), and migrate south to the Amazon Basin when the insects are scarce in the winter.
There is a beautiful beach for sunbathing and swimming, but dogs are only permitted on it from September 16 through April 14. Battery 223, known locally as the "bunker" was built in 1942 and was part of the Harbor Defense Project during World War II. It was equipped with 6" guns with a 17-mile range. Once part of the Cape May Military Reservation, it was originally 900' inland and camouflaged by earth and sod. Used as a secret communications base after WWII, it was abandoned after the 1962 storm that destroyed much of Cape May. Beach erosion continues to encroach on the structure.
The original Cape May Lighthouse was built in 1823 and a second one in 1847. The one still standing was built in 1859, using bricks from the 1847 lighthouse. It has 199 steps to the top with an admission price of $8/adults and $5/children. The spiral staircase was built of cast iron (instead of wood due to concern of fire). There are six landings with 30 steps in between each.
Various vents permitted circulation of air to avoid moisture build up in the structure. The porthole windows helped provide light to the upper portion of the lighthouse.
The lighthouse is still operated by the US Coast Guard as an active Aid to Navigation. The present beacon is known as a VRB (variable rotating beacon) 25 and is made in New Zealand. It can be seen 22 miles out to sea on a clear night.
As expected, there are fantastic panoramic views from the top where you can step outside and walk around the tower.
I yelled down to John and our sweet doggie, Sadie, from the top and zoomed in for a photo of them. That was before I saw the sign. Oops.
After leaving the park, we drove to Cape May to see some of the lovely homes, bed & breakfasts, and inns near the beach.
For additional information about the park, click on www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/capemay.html
The Cape May County Fisherman's Memorial is located on Missouri Avenue overlooking the harbor. There is an 8' granite statue (of a woman and her children looking over the water) and several engraved panels of the names of fisherman from the county that have been lost at sea (dating from 1893 to 2009). The marker is dedicated to the commercial fisherman who led the effort to build the memorial and who died just a week before the dedication.
Our last stop was at the Forgotten Warriors Vietnam Memorial located across the street from the Naval Air Station Wildwood Museum at the Cape May Airport.
Founded by Tom Collins, who served as a helicopter door gunner in Nam (1967-68) when he was 18-years old, the collection (primarily donations from veterans) has grown to include many artifacts, photographs, and other memorabilia of the Vietnam and Korean wars.
The museum was closed when we got there, but there are various outside displays that we checked out.
Because John is a Vietnam Vet, I am always interested in learning more about those times. Below is a guard tower exhibit (although it is not nearly as tall as the real ones were!); a scene representing tunnel rats and a shack occupied by villagers or the VC; and a US Army truck of the era.
This M115 8" howitzer (designed in 1939) was used in WWI, Korea, Vietnam and the Croatian War of Independence. It required a crew of 14 and had a range of over 10 miles.
The Memorial honors those that served and remembers those that died in combat and/or exposure to Agent Orange (jungle defoliant)
Cape May is an exceptionally beautiful coastal community (www.capemay.com). If you are in New Jersey, it's definitely worth a visit. There are also lots of excellent seafood restaurants as well.
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