Planes, Trains and Orthotics: A Middle-Age Woman's Guide to Travel

We are having a lovely time in Cape May which has included one beautiful beach day, a visit to a lovely winery and some incredible meals. But the word “relaxing” is not how I would describe our adventures thus far. We were told by a friend that we were staying at the perfect location  because our hotel was not in the heart of the city, where it can get noisy, but still close enough to walk there.  As soon as we arrived,  we thought it was too late to go to the beach so we would walk into town. Now, we are walkers and the journey would have been lovely had it been 70 degrees.  At 90 plus degrees in the sweltering sun...not so much.  I kept looking at the city map that marked the location of every mini-golf and fudge and salt water taffy store in the greater Cape May area and kept thinking that my friend was nuts!  There were too many fudge stores between us and downtown. Needless to say, we have been using the car ever since. After a lovely meal that nig...

I have to start this blog by saying that in the midst of a pandemic, entering its fourth month with no end in sight, I know that I am very lucky to get away for a few days.  We, like so many of us, have stayed home, followed the rules and thankfully, have remained healthy. As some restrictions have been lifted, we thought we could get away for a few days to enjoy a change of scenery. But this is a very different vacation from our usual adventures. Why? Because we are going to the beach. First, the clothing is different.  I have packed no hiking boots, no ugly but functional walking shoes, no thick, sweat-resistant socks and no shorts with 16 pockets. In fact, there is NOTHING in my suitcase that mentions the other man in my life, “Eddie Bauer.” Instead, there are sandals (functional ones, of course, because there will be some walking), bathing suits, normal shorts with only two pockets and sundresses. These are not terribly unusual clothing options for a summer get-away, b...