New Jersey

We spent our first day here in Atlantic City, rather than heading to Philadelphia since the weatherman was calling for 80% chance of rain and it is a walking town.

We took the scenic route, but very few pictures. I have been forbidden to take any more pictures while I am driving, but I did snap a few.

One of the many scenic roads on the way to Atlantic City.

 Beautiful old Church

 
 As we crossed into Atlantic City we were greeted by the Wind Farm (left side of the picture).

We weren't sure where to go there, but I think we made the right decision in choosing the boardwalk.  It was not what I expected.

Shop after shop

 An Amusement Park 

 Something I have never seen in one of these machines.


 
One of our favorite places

The Beach

 

And of course, the Casinos (one of many)  - we stayed away from them

We spent a few hours walking around and headed back to the campground, and surprise, on our way, the Atlantic County Harley Dealer.  So much for curbing the shirt habit!

Salem Oak Winery
There are lots of vineyards here so we decided on another rainy day to visit a winery. Big Bob did a google search and Salem Oak Winery came up with the best reviews.
 

             

                                                                                 

 Mandi, the owner, is the perfect one to do the tasting, as she is so full of knowledge and enthusiasm for the vines and her product. 

It is a small vineyard (seven acres which they planed in 2003), and it's just her, her two children and the winemaker. 

She told us the Federal Government recently did a study and found the soil in SE New Jersey to be   very similar to Bordeaux France, but they must contend with rain and humidity here  that France does not.  So they plant the grapes to grow higher, with more trunk.

 

We told her we were beer drinkers, and she chose wines for us that we would probably like and we did.  We liked it so much, (I have a sweet palette) we made an expensive,  unbudgeted purchase there. LOL  In addition, she went out to the garden and picked  us some tomatoes, basil and cukes,  which we used in a salad and some BLT's.  There is nothing better than a home grown tomato!

It was a very good choice for our winery visit!


Red Bank Battlefield
One of the ladies at the KOA recommended this park to us and I am so glad we went.  It is the site of Revolutionary War battle to secure the Delaware River from Great Brittan
 ..

The grounds are so serene, all though I'm sure it wasn't back in 1777. Two thousand Hessian troops (German militia hired by Great Britain) attempted to gain control of the Delaware River in order to get to Philadelphia.  The four hundred American navy men there got wind of the upcoming attack, were prepared, and able to defeat Great Britain and block their entry into Philadelphia, but only temporarily.

 

The view across the Delaware River of the Ben Franklin Bridge,

The  skyline view across the river to Philadelphia

Later, we visited  the most friendly American Legion yet - Post 133  .  They even gave us our first beers and a license tag to tack back to our Legion.

I definitely underestimated New Jersey.  This area is surrounded by small towns and friendly people. I wish we had more time to spend here, so it is going on the list to do again.