Went to the Atlantic City Boardwalk today. Started off quiet at 10:30am (well it is Sunday) with hardly anyone around. The Boardwalk is over 100 years old (and that's old in American terms). The array of shops and casinos was pretty impressive, the Americans certainly know how to build stuff - places like Blackpool could do with soaking up a bit of the knowledge, but there was just something missing...
A visit to Taj Mahal for coffee provided some light entertainment, as Donald Trump himself paid for my Tall Americano and 6" sub after I won $10 on the slots. Pity it wasn't more, but that's the ticket you see, leaving while you're ahead! Even by a fraction, being ahead is key. The thing is, its really difficult! Even for a non-gambler (ok, I've been to a casino before!) like me, the pull to put more money in the machine is incredible... You just might win more... and thats when you pay your taxes usually.
After the 'free' lunch, Absecon Lighthouse was the next stop. Its just a tourist attraction these days, as the light was turned off in 1933. Mariners complained that the light from the lighthouse was obscured by the lights of the Atlantic City skyline, and it was decommissioned. Ironically though, it has always been a tourist attraction - some 18,000 visitors per year since its opening in the mid 1800's. Stood chatting to the bloke that sits up there all day long waiting for tourists to climb the 228 steps to the top. He knew where Robin Hood Country was - as he had been once before! Nice view of Atlantic City skyline though, and the new building project (yet another hotel/casino) which has slowed up considerably lately, as the bank who part owns the project is having a few financial difficulties...
After the Lighthouse, went for a drive down to Cape May, where you can get a ferry for a small charge across to Lewes, Delaware. Cape May is a lovely little place, as are the few towns along the way. More upmarket than Atlantic City itself, but somehow very local - white painted wooden houses built on stilts (the spit of land down the coast from Atlantic City narrows considerably) to avoid the inevitable winter high tides. The further south you go, the better the weather though, and Cape May was considerably brighter than AC, where the damn clouds just don't seem to be lifting!
The truck is performing well, getting to like its foibles even. Despite the fact it is an archaic design, it is an iconic car - the quintessential American SUV. Although its a 4x4, it has virtually no ability off road, it guzzles gas, and it has almost no driver appeal in terms of its performance, but it does do a few things very well. You're very well insulated from the road, its comfortable, and unless they have an even bigger car than you, people just don't mess with it. To say the view of the road is 'commanding' is a bit of an understatement. The V8 does pack a small punch when worked hard (you can almost see the $$$ coming out of the back of the thing though) but usually idles away at just over 1000rpm - whatever speed you're doing. Tahoe. Everyone should have one.
Heading to Virginia City via Delaware tomorrow, and hopefully crossing the Chesapeake bay Bridge / tunnel. Lets see what that will bring.
Get me out of gambling town!
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