Hop up to the Hereford Inlet Lighthouse some time.

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The Hereford Inlet Lighthouse marks the mouth of Hereford Inlet, which leads from the Atlantic Ocean to the Intra-Coastal Waterway. The residential lighthouse was built on an uninhabited barrier island in 1874 in the Swiss Carpenter – or Stick – style. It is the only lighthouse built in this style on the East Coast, and only two others in this style remain standing on the west coast today. Around the lighthouse are beautiful gardens that were carefully designed to appear unplanned and a bit overgrown.

The Hereford Inlet Lighthouse is open seven days a week through mid October. The next time you are staying at our New Jersey bed and breakfast, perhaps you’ll take a few hours to visit this lovely spot.

My perfect day starts with the beautiful blue Cape May sky. From my bed, I can see it through the transom above the door that leads to our garden. The bright colors of an early dawn set the tone for my day.

Barbara, with a perfect cup of coffee after a perfect morning stroll.

After a while, I stumble out to fix the first pot of coffee. I have the system down to an art. I can just plant my feet in front of the coffee maker and Voila! – four minutes later – Juan Valdez is wafting through the house.

While the coffee is brewing I set off for a walk around town. I love to take in the rhythms of early mornings in Cape May, whether it is folks just sitting on benches gazing at the ocean, people on their early morning power walk, the more energetic line skaters, or my neighbor, Jay Schatz opening his inn and feeding his cats. Often I walk to the ever-changing Cove and then pause for a moment at every opening at the Pavilion – each offers a different and beautiful view of Cape May.

When I get back to the Craig House Bed and Breakfast Cape May I still have time for coffee and the newspaper before attending to our guests. Our front sun porch offers the most peaceful perfect perspective of other bed and breakfasts running porch by porch down Columbia Avenue.

Although the reality of my work as an innkeeper is repetitive and sometimes trying behind the closed door of “Command Central”, I am energized by our guests’ enthusiasm for their vacation. How wonderful it is to see old friends and meet new guests that become a part of our John F. Craig House family.

At the end of the day I always make my way back to the beach, just to make sure that the ocean is still there. I get ice cream almost every night. Though I’ve been on a Rita’s gelato kick, I still love to go to McGlade’s right next to Convention Hall. Won’t it be great when the New Convention Center is finished….

The perfect day would always have a full moon. I’m a lunatic you know. I’m fascinated by the moon as it lights up the beach and the ocean and our town. On a perfect day, my sweet darlin’, Chip, and I take a few minutes and remember why we are here.

I am a Lucky Lady because I realize that many people work all year to come to Cape May to do what I do – most days – in our wonderful city by the sea.

There are easier ways to catch a marlin

Weakfish, flounder, bluefish, croakers, and kingfish are the fish to catch in July and August warm waters. Blue water anglers have a good chance of catching mahi mahi, tuna, or marlin.

You don’t need your own boat to fish the waters of Cape May. Charter fishing boats and party boats sail from Cape May every day in the summer. Party boats are open to the public on a first come first serve basis. Charter boats need to be booked or reserved in advance. You are likely to receive more personal attention during a charter fishing expedition, since there are fewer people and the captain and crew are there for seasoned anglers and newbies.

We’ll feed you well at our bed and breakfast Cape May before you head out to sea for a four hour half-day or eight hour full-day fishing adventure. We’ll listen attentively to your stories over a glass of wine when you return, toasting your successes.

June 28th only at the Cape May Stage.

Monday, June 28, 2010, Cape May Stage is staging the perfect compliment to this show: Come What May. Learn about the man who held the quill as you follow William Shakespeare from his youth to his success in London.

Real life son (Joe Plummer Jr.) and father (Joe Plummer Sr.) star together in Come What May, which above all focuses on the father and son relationship.

This is a play for everyone. People who love Shakespeare. People who hate Shakespeare. Fathers. Sons. Mothers and daughters.

Come into town for this world premier and stay at our Cape May bed and breakfast.

There are other lighthouses around here. Many of these stand on pedestals out at sea, and can’t be seen from land. Of course, the best way to view a lighthouse is from the water – it is why they were built, after all.

The Delaware Bay Lighthouse Cruise aboard the Spirit of Cape May is a delightful way to view many of the lighthouses in this region. The cruise includes narration about the history of Delaware Bay along with a few good stories. The cruises depart at 10 am from the Miss Chris Marina and last a good seven hours. Bring binoculars, for birds and whales as much as for lighthouses.

Once you are back on dry land, totter over to our bed and breakfast Cape May for a little something restorative (like a glass of wine and some crackers). We’d love to hear about your adventures out at sea.

For more information about the Delaware Bay Lighthouse Cruise dates and times, please call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278.

Look for this moon over Cape May during a Moonlight Trolley Ride.

Not everyone considers the Jersey Shore to be romantic, but then again, Cape May is not typical Jersey Shore. This charming Victorian seacoast town exudes romance. Read on for a few ways to add romance to your next stay at our Cape May bed and breakfast:

1. Cape May by Moonlight Trolley Rides. These run most Monday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday evenings throughout the summer, after dark (times vary slightly). This 40-minute trolley ride through the gaslit streets of Cape May will transport you to another time. Cuddle together and listen to tales of Victorian romance and courtship in this long-visited beach town. Guaranteed to create a special mood.

2. Sunset beach walks. Hand in hand, of course. Cape May sits out on a peninsula, with inviting sandy beaches all around. Walk the beach from our Cape May bed and breakfast out to the Cape May Lighthouse, hearing nothing but waves, wind and the call of seabirds.

3. Spend an afternoon visiting several Cape May wineries. Wine tasting puts everyone in a good mood.

4. Walk the Cape May Boardwalk, enjoying shops and views of the water. Share an ice cream cone (or have your own).

5. Sleep late. That’s right, you’re on vacation after all. Enjoy a lazy morning at our bed and breakfast Cape May. Eat too much. Go back to bed. Now that’s romantic!

Come take a seat in the Class, at Cape May Stage

The first play of the 2010 season runs Wednesdays – Sundays through June 12, 2010: the world premier of Class, by Charles Evered. It stars Thaao Penghlis as Elliot, a veteran acting teacher in NYC, and Heather Matarazzo as a mysterious young actress who seeks his expertise. The play has been called fresh and dramatically intriguing by NJ Entertainment; the characters have depth and complexity.

The playwright, a New Jersey native, has said that “Class is really sort of my love letter to some amazing and accomplished theatre professionals I’ve had the pleasure of working with and studying under. Some of those teachers and teaching artists have become mentors to me – and I’m proud to say I’ve learned more about life in general from them than just about theatre and writing and acting.”

While Class takes place in the world of theater, it also rises above it. Indeed, “Class is a play for everyone who has ever had a teacher or a mentor that has made a difference in their lives.”

We hope you will squeeze time in to see Class at the Cape May Stage when next you stay at our bed and breakfast Cape May.

Here at our Cape May Bed and Breakfast, we’ve always thought Cape May is a special place. TripAdvisor’s recognition is heartwarming.

To learn exactly what www.TripAdvisor.com has to say about Cape May, please visit their website. To find out if what they say is true, visit our Bed and Breakfast Cape May soon.

Sunset in Cape May NJ

If that’s how you feel, you’ll want to cruise the waters around Cape May the next time you come to our NJ bed and breakfast. You’re in luck. There are a few different ways you can do that.

Cruise the Cape May Canal.

The Cape May Whale Watcher offers two hour cruises around Cape May Island. You’ll glide through the Cape May Canal, head down the Delaware Bay to the Atlantic Ocean, then back into Cape May Harbor. You’ll learn interesting tales and little known facts about the history of Cape May, and enjoy a beautiful perspective – views of our little Victorian town from the water. There is a good chance you’ll spot whales, too.

Another fun way to get out on the water is to hop on board the Cape May-Lewes Ferry. This is a great way to travel to and from Cape May, but it also makes a terrific day trip. Cape Henlopen State Park is a short walk from the Delaware ferry terminal. Walk miles of sandy beaches or nature trails, or spend some time peering into salt-water aquariums. The Prime Hook State Wildlife Management Area, to the north, is a wonderful spot for birdwatching.

Dinner Cruises aboard the Spirit of Cape May take place every evening from mid May through mid September. Sit back with good food as you watch the setting sun make our Victorian town glow. For more information about these cruises, please call 800-786-5445 or 609-884-5445.

People have been traveling to Cape May NJ by ship for over four hundred years. Let 2010 be the year you experience this lovely journey. Then share your adventures over a glass of wine back at our Cape May bed and breakfast.