Big Kahuna's Water Park

      Thursday, June 29, 2023: For the first time in four years, I went swimming. Therefore, I decided to visit this Camden County, New Jersey place: Big Kahuna’s Water Park, 535 NJ Route 73, West Berlin (856-767-7580). Because I picked a weekday, I thought that this place wouldn’t be too loud: I was wrong! This has been a former warehouse. Thus, sounds did echo, especially screaming. Anyway, if you liked wild water rides, there have been plenty of water slides here and an area for surfing—both of them indoors. Outdoors included a wave pool and a regular pool. They also had water attractions for children and tamer water rides—all in a tropical setting. While I was waiting for the indoor pool to open, I rode a river ride on an inner tube. Later, the pool opened, and I spent most of the rest of my time there. As more people arrived, it got louder, and so I dried off (Bring your own towels.) and walked around to check out what other things this place had to offer. Here, I saw an arcade, bar, and a somewhat expensive restaurant (No outside food allowed.), as well as changing rooms, a gift shop, and places to sit. If you could stand the noise, you could get your water thrills or get refreshed-or both. I’m glad that there has been a water park close to where I live. The weekend could get more crowed and no doubt, more noisy. The inside is opened year round, and I may try a repeat visit, but I’ll be better prepared for the noise too.

Naval Air Station Museum

     Monday, June 19, 2023: So far, I’ve been to a lighthouse and rode a tramcar at two other places in Cape May County, New Jersey on the date above. Finally, I headed to a third place in this county: the Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum, 500 Forrestal Road at Cape May Airport, Rio Grande (609-886-8787). In an air hanger that the navy built in 1942, I first saw an introduction film showing the history about this place as a training facility for dive bomber airmen from 1943 to ’45 and of how dangerous this training had been because out of 129 crashes, 42 airmen died. After World War II, different airline companies used this hanger before they abandoned it. In the 1990s, Joseph & Patricia Salvatore bought the building and with the help of the Naval Air Station Wildwood Foundation (NASW), they restored it. Inside, I looked at over two-dozen military aircraft from WWII to the Korean War and the Viet Nam War. Most of the aircraft were airplanes, jets, and helicopters, and nearby were some of the engines that were once in some of these aircrafts. I also noticed some autos and boats along with plenty of texts, pictures, videos, and exhibit items on different themes. Some of the subjects covered a memorial to those airmen who died both in training and others who died in combat, blacks who served in the military as well as women in the military. Additional areas were about those who helped out with boats during 9/11/01 at the World Trade Center, the Coast Guard, a room showing everyday items from the 1940s, and plenty of “hands-on” areas that have been popular with children. Of the three places that I visited on the date above, this proved to be one of the most interesting! This would be a good place to visit in addition to the nearby NJ Shore towns, and I’m sure you will learn something new.     

Wildwood Tramcar

      Monday, June 19, 2023: After seeing a lighthouse in North Wildwood, I traveled south in Cape May County, New Jersey to Wildwood itself to ride the tramcar from one end of its two-and-a-half mile journey on the boardwalk, where it met the border with Wildwood Crest, to heading north into a few blocks of North Wildwood—and back! Off-and-on, as I rode the tramcar, I heard the announcement coming from this tramcar to the people on the boardwalk: “Watch the tramcar, please.” Along the way and back, on one side, I looked at the views of the beach & ocean; the convention center; amusement piers with its share of rides, games of chance, and miniature golf, as well as water parks, arcades, shops, and places to eat; and a few other buildings. On the other side, I saw what the boardwalk had to offer. In addition to the attractions that the piers offered, the boardwalk also included an aquarium, a chapel, and bars. For more information contact the following: Sightseer Tramcars Office, 5308 Boardwalk (609-523-1602). These tramcars had been made for the 1939 New York World’s Fair, and they have been on the Wildwood Boardwalk since 1949.  Meanwhile, other sections of the town had downtown shopping, other places to eat, bars & nightclubs, and a few museums. One of those museums was called the Doo Wop Museum, and inside, it exhibited items from Wildwood’s heyday in the 1950s and ‘60s. In fact, one on the things that set Wildwood apart from other NJ Shore resort towns was its several buildings dating from the 1950s and ‘60s in all its bright colors and retro-futuristic look. Other activities offered people chances to go fishing & crabbing, and of course, there has been the beach and ocean. In other words, there has been something for almost everybody. I could see why my parents used to take me here when I was a child in the 1960s.   

Hereford Lighthouse

      Monday, June 19, 2023: On yet another trip to Cape May County, New Jersey, my first stop was at the Hereford Inlet Lighthouse, 111 North Central Avenue, North Wildwood (609-600-1561). This 1874 lighthouse could easily be missed because it did not look like a typical long-column lighthouse. Instead, it resembled one of those Victorian-Gothic houses with a tower added to it. What made this place different was the top of that tower contained a light to be visible to ships off the coast. Inside, I saw a few rooms on both the main floor and on the upper floor decorated in a Victorian style. On some of the walls, I noticed pictures of the former lighthouse keepers, other prominent people from the area, and past photos of how the lighthouse looked, especially how it looked before restoration. Outside, the grounds displayed a very colorful garden of different flowers, and a path from there led to the beach. Overall, this would make a nice quiet stop or detour before heading south to visit its noisier neighbor: Wildwood!     

Wetlands Institute

      Tuesday, June 13, 2023: After going to mini-museums in Sea Isle City and Avalon each, and visiting a quaint-looking shopping area, I went to one more attraction on the above date in Cape May County, New Jersey: Wetlands Institute, 1075 Stone Harbor Boulevard, Stone Harbor (609-368-1211). In contrast to the other three places, this place educated others about the natural history of the coastal communities and of how those nature areas have been important to the environment! Starting with a 40-minute video in the lecture hall, I saw for myself how crucial these marshlands have been in several ways as I became informed about the everyday life of the flora and fauna of this area—and how it benefitted humans. Another section of this room provided a live closed-circuit camera view of an osprey nest outside in the marshes. In addition, I also noticed mobiles of wood-carved birds hanging above me. In fact, in different parts of the building, I glanced at both taxidermy and wood-carved animals, especially birds, which lived in the marshlands. Another room was the Terrapin Station where I looked at texts, pictures, and models of turtles native to here along with tanks of live turtles. The small aquarium also had its share of texts, pictures, and models of fish and other creatures that lived nearby, plus I saw tanks of live fish, reptiles, amphibians, and even an octopus. My favorite exhibit included a diorama about sex and gluttony at the shore showing models of horseshoe crabs and seagulls & other seabirds. As the female horseshoe crabs lay their eggs, the gulls and other birds eat those eggs. It has been estimated that on an average, out of 1,000 eggs laid, only one of them would be hatched. Once outside, wooden walkways through this property offered a closer look at some of what I saw displayed inside. If nothing else, you can get to know how these places looked before some areas around the shore got developed and why these places should be preserved.          

Woodland Village

     Tuesday, June 13, 2023: For a change of pace from seeing small museums in Sea Isle City and Avalon, New Jersey, I headed toward another place in Cape May County, north on Route 9: Woodland Village, 1943 Route 9, Clermont (609-624-1350). Here in a quaint-looking setting of some lovely landscaping of trees, plants, flowers, and brick walkways, I noticed over a dozen or more shops in different small cottage-styled buildings painted in some very bright colors! Each store sold different merchandise: clothing & accessories for men, women, and children; toys; and items for pets; as well as candles & soaps; an art gallery displaying and selling art by local artists; a travel agency; and places selling edible things. Included in all this was a place where I had lunch that sold sandwiches, bagels, baked goods, and candy (sweets). I ate upstairs in their small dining room, and the décor on the walls and shelves reminded me of my childhood because I saw pictures and items from the 1950s and ‘60s. Meanwhile, the food proved to be good, and afterward, I walked around this village that looked like it was bigger than Village on High in Millville, NJ, but smaller than Smithville in Atlantic County, NJ. Overall, it will only take an hour or two to see this place and have something to eat here, but it’s only a short drive from the shore resorts in Cape May County.    

Avalon History Center

     Tuesday, June 13, 2023: After visiting Sea Isle City, New Jersey, I traveled south to the next Cape May County town: Avalon. This beach town too, has had amenities similar to Sea Isle City: beach, outdoor activities, dining, nightlife, and downtown shopping, but Avalon also has had a non-commercial boardwalk and the following place: Avalon History Center, 215 39th Street (609-967-0090). Like Sea Isle City’s museum, this was also a small museum, but unlike the Sea Isle museum with its open-floor plan located within the town’s library, the Avalon museum was in its own building—even though it has been owned by Avalon’s library—and it divided its theme areas into different small rooms. Each room included pictures, texts, and exhibit items. Inside the reception area, I saw a painting from 1889 called “Stormy Weather” by Joseph Wells of Avalon as it looked before the founding of the town in 1892. Other rooms displayed these themes: Beach Patrol, Early Avalon from its days as a fishing village for the Lenape to a modern resort, and Shop Talk that covered former businesses in Avalon. As I said in the article about Sea Isle City’s museum: This could be a good place for a rainy day or to learn more about the town this museum was in before heading outside again! (Yes, there is a library in Avalon that I assume has plenty of books and other resources in case the weather doesn’t get better soon.)  

Sea Isle City Historical Museum

     Tuesday, June 13, 2023: I’ve never been to Sea Isle City in Cape May County, New Jersey before, but from what I read, this town had the usual outdoor beach resort activities, a promenade (a former boardwalk), and a downtown shopping area, as well as dining, nightlife, and this place: The Sea Isle City Historical Museum in the Sea Isle City Library, 4800 Central Avenue (609-263-2992). As I said about the last two places I visited in Cape May County: This would be a good place to visit on a rainy day. This small open-floor museum allowed you to go to different sections that covered certain themes in Sea Isle City’s 130+ year history. Therefore, via texts, pictures, and exhibit items, I looked at the following areas: Military and Emergency Services, Old Time Kitchen and Laundry, and Stained Glass Windows, as well as other historical objects, flip chart displays, and chances to do research here. I especially remembered one section that showed pictures and newspaper articles about the two major storms that hit Sea Isle City: The March 1963 Storm and Super Storm Sandy from October 2012. Another area displayed a temporary exhibit theme, and when I was there, I noticed wedding gowns from 1880 to 2007 of brides from Sea Isle City. Then there is the library itself with its resources and events year round, including book sales! Thus, you could learn more about this resort town, and then head outside again.   

Schiavo Library

      Saturday, June 10, 2023: After visiting Ocean City (OC), I decided to go farther south in Cape May County, New Jersey and see Strathmere, NJ. I’ve never been here before, but I learned that it was a very quiet beach town compared to its neighbor to the north, OC. Also, unlike OC, NJ, Strathmere has been allowed to sell alcoholic drinks, and I noticed a few places that sold drinks and food. Otherwise, the big attractions in this town were the beach and chances to go fishing & crabbing. Anyway, the best part about this beach was that it was free—no beach tags required. (I did hear a rumor, however, that those in power may be thinking of changing this policy.) This also sounded like a good place to bring children if you wanted them to strictly enjoy the beach without the distractions of boardwalk amusement rides, carnival games, and other similar attractions. (There’s room for both kinds of beach towns!) Anyway, if the weather took a turn for the worst, I could recommend the following place: Dr. Rita C. Schiavo Library, 801 South Commonwealth Avenue, Strathmere (609-486-6265). Dr. Schiavo (1921-2005) was a highly regarded lawyer who did much for her hometown of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and she was a summer resident of Strathmere for over 80 years. Before she died, she put in her will to have her former summer home become a library. Inside, I first entered a “micro-museum”—compared to Ocean City’s “mini-museum”. It was really a showcase of exhibits. While I was there, the place presented “Boatbuilding 1940-1946” that displayed equipment the boat builders used in making boats back then. Of course, the rest of this place was a library of many books and other library resources. At certain times of the year, they hold special events, including book sales.     

Ocean City Historical Museum

 

     Saturday, June 10, 2023: Most people came to Ocean City in Cape May County, New Jersey to go to the boardwalk, beach, and to the attractions along the boardwalk. During my childhood, my parents first took me here for the same reasons, and the last time I was at this resort was in 2008. I have a report about my visit in The State I’m In, issue #3, available for a free download from my website. This time, I came to Ocean City (OC) for a different reason. I decided to visit the Ocean City Historical Museum, located in the Ocean City Community Center & Library, 1735 Simpson Avenue, #3 (609-399-1801). One of the reasons I visited was because not every day in OC, NJ would be a perfect day weather-wise! Therefore, if the weather was less than perfect, a visit to this museum, and later, the library, could be fulfilling. In a mid-sized room, this museum covered the history of OC, NJ from the time of the Lenni-Lenapes to the current time via texts, pictures, and exhibit items in five different theme areas: 1. From Hunting Ground to Modern Resort, 2. The Founders & The Early Years, 3. The Boardwalk, 4. The Sindia, and 5. Grace Kelly. Because this museum wouldn’t take up too much of your time, you could also check out the library with its vast collections of books, magazines, videos, and other resources. This library also had a children’s section, and on certain days they played host to book sales and other special events. If nothing else, you will learn more about OC, NJ, and you might appreciate it better when the weather becomes clearer and you are back on the boardwalk & beach.     

Haddon Heights Farmers' Market

     Sunday, June 3, 2023: As I said in an earlier article: If there was a farmers’ market in the area, I would find it, and I found another one in Camden County, New Jersey: Haddon Heights Farmers’ Market, along East Atlantic Avenue near Station Avenue (856-261-2943). Unlike the farmers’ market in Merchantville, NJ, however, Haddon Heights Farmers’ Market had more vendors selling food, especially produce. Here, I noticed about one-quarter to about one-third of the over 30-some vendors sold produce that included plenty of fresh and colorful fruits & vegetables. Others sold baked goods, beverages, and herbs & spices, as well as pasta, nuts, jams, soups, and other edible stuff. I also viewed some vendors who sold non-edible merchandise: fine & decorative art, jewelry, candles, soaps, etc. Meanwhile, some local musicians, at one end of the street, played mostly folk and country music. For my part, I was happy to find some produce that I couldn’t find in a few different supermarkets near me!  

Longwood Gardens

 

   Thursday, June 1, 2023: It was another trip to Pennsylvania, and this time, I visited a place in Chester County that always brought joy to me whenever I visited there in the past: Longwood Gardens, 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square (610-388-1000). Open all year round, this 1000-acre place has something for almost everybody. I’ve been here in the spring when the flowers in bloom displayed their many colors and shapes. During my two Christmas season visits, I noticed seasonal decorations, especially Xmas trees, and certain flowers & plants, including poinsettias, holly, and ivy. Then, my last visit was in the autumn in the early 2000s, during the Chrysanthemum Festival. The date above was the first time I ever visited during the summer season where Longwood Gardens presented the Festival of Fountains. In between watching the fountains, I also saw something that was in full bloom during the summer season: roses in many colors. Of course, Longwood Gardens displayed many other kinds of other flowers, during my visit, along with many plants, trees, and some lovely landscaping. Nevertheless, there was much more to this place than plants. There were some interesting buildings with the most popular being the Conservatory. Inside, this glasshouse contained so many plants and flowers that this part of Longwood Gardens alone could take up much of my time. One of my favorite buildings, however, was the Peirce-Du Pont House. This was where it all started. Early parts of the house dated back to 1730 when the Peirce family owned it as a farmhouse. Through the years, this family added to the original house, and when Pierre Du Pont bought the house and property in 1906, he added even more to the house and added a final addition in 1914. I learned this and more as I saw videos, pictures, texts, and exhibit items inside of the house covering such subjects as the history of the house, the Peirce family, and Pierre Du Pont, as well as the Lenape, early American botanists, and the growth of Longwood Gardens. For the rest of the day, I walked along and “absorbed” the sights of this property. Once again, Longwood Gardens brought joy to me!