Cape May, New Jersey

[Cataholic]

Can we plan something on Sunday, July 9th? I will have a kitchen, bathroom, everything we could need! I know Sunday works best for JenL, and I am only there one week, so, this is kind of THE day to do it. I would REALLY like to meet some of you that I would never have a chance otherwise to meet. And, so would Jonah, I am sure..if he could talk and tell me.

[lbaker]

July 9 sounds good to me. I'll probably look for a cheap-o motel in Lewis DE and take the CapeMay-Lewis ferry over on Sunday. Driving to and from DC to the beach on any given summer weekend is a zoo so I'll probably take Monday 10th off work and stay over Sunday night.

[jenluckenbach]

I see no reason July 9th wouldn't be PURR-fect! As stated, I work Saturday and the rest of the world would work Monday (my other day off.......LOL)

The drive is about 4 hours (We are kinda slow pokes) and I haven't driven that far in a LOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG time, but could spend a few good hours down there. Realistically I could not arrive in NJ before 11 am and would most likely want to start home by 3 pm But there would be no way to stay overnight so this will have to do.

Maybe Catnapper will come with us instead of in seperate vehicles. (she'd probably get us there in 3 hours )

[catnapper]

Sounds cool! I'll have to see what the calendar looks like, but maybe I could even convince Ash and the baby to go along for a ride too

[jenluckenbach]

Baby would be only about 1 to 2 weeks old.

[Cataholic]

We could plan a later'ish lunch, or early dinner to accomodate JenL. And, of course, people can come as early as they like, or stay as late as they like. And, if anyone needs a place to stay, the cottage has two bedrooms, plus a daybed downstairs. Jonah and I will be sharing a room...he he he, so, plenty of space for more people!

Jen, I do understand your time constraints.

[catnapper]

Ooo.... looks like we'll be taking our family vacation in Cape May this year, thanks to this meeting! You'll get to meet the whole catnapper clan!

We might be driving down Saturday night, getting aroom, spending all day Sunday and leaving maybe Monday night or Tuesday. How exciting!!!!

Yes, the baby will only be a few weeks old (maybe a month old?) so we'll have to find things to keep the baby comfortable and protected from the sun --- Johanna, any ideas?

[Cataholic]

Oh, Catnapper!!!! That is so unbelievably GRAND that you all will be there!!! With such a brand new 'bun', you will want to only use cloth or obstructive devices, and no sunscreen!!! So, I would buy two cheap old tote umbrellas- the pocket sized ones, and let them be the sun shield. Also, most of those baby seats (pumpkin seats) have a half closeable cover thingy.

This is great!!! I cannot wait.

[catnapper]

We went shopping at Babies R Us today and spied some cool choices for beach cover. all the way from a $4 carrier or pack & play net all the way up to a $20 self-contained shade thinge (see here )

We have to decide just how long we'll spend on the beach -- I myself do NOT like the beach. An hour is typically my limit before I get tired of bugs, sand, and feeling like I'm a baked lobster (I have a strong fear of getting skin cancer like my grandmom battled her whole life. Even if I use screen, I feel like my skin cells are mutating by the second.... yes, I'm a pasty white girl! ) So, based on how long we will realisitcally spend on the beach befor we decide which baby screening option to take.

Now... to find a reasonably priced hotel for all of us!

[lbaker]

Just knocking this up a bit to see who else may be there this Sunday. I'm driving down about 4 a.m. Sat. morning (to beat the horrible, horrible traffic across the Bay Bridge to the shore). I'll find a cheap-o hotel/motel along the highway to Lewis DE and be meeting Joh and Jonah on Sunday in Cape May. Anyone else figure it out? We will need to decide where and when to meet. JenL & Charlie? I would love to see you guys again