Cape May Point in Winter

Posted 02/20/06
by Jane Kashlak

In the summer, the Point's the last stop on the Jersey shore beach circuit, with its early morning bike riders, evening drinks on the deck and families trooping off to the beach all day long.

But in the winter, the Point morphs into a totally different persona - peaceful, serene, quiet, almost meditative.

Just ask Dick and Nancy Seitler. They do something only 200 people in the world do - they live at Cape May Point year round. They moved here from Ohio several years ago and love the winter serenity.

We ran into them as they were coming back from a beach walk near St. Peter's by the Sea - one of several historic religious structures in the Point.

Maybe it's those hundred year old churches and convents and retreat houses that give winter at the Point such an otherworldly air. At times, as you walk along the deserted streets, not a car in sight, the town feels almost surreal.

I just know there's no better time to take peaks at some of the Victorian era homes. The tiny town's gingerbread pops out against the cloudless, blue winter sky. No leaves on the trees to hide the details.

Some would rather look at waves than rooftops.

James Lloyd from North Cape May drives to the Point three to four times a week to take a walk along the beach. He just likes the peacefulness.