Best Places For Kids in NJ: Cape May Dolphin and Whale Watching

Wildwood, NJ – There are many options for whale and dolphin watching cruises at the southern tip of New Jersey, but the best choice for kids is the Atlantic Star, a 170 seat boat owned by JJC Boats in Cape May, New Jersey.   While the  Spirit of Cape May, the more popular of the whale watchers, offers the same dolphins, whales and dinner cruises as the Atlantic Star, the Atlantic Star is a smaller and more personal and close quarters experience that also includes a tour of Cape May’s backwater channels and bays.

The Atlantic Star offers several trips each day, starting with a morning educational trip that takes children and students out into the Atlantic Ocean for a first hand scientific glimpse at our local dolphin  population.   The morning tour is an educational experience that is suitable for schools and marine sciences groups.  The morning tour usually a two hour tour which focuses only on dolphins.  The tour also includes snacks and drinks for the children.

In the afternoon, get ready to sail on a three hour tour on the Atlantic Star’s lunch cruise which is a guided tour led by a Marine Biologist on a quest to show the kids dolphins, whales and birds that call New Jersey home each summer.  Snacks, beverages and hot dogs are available for purchase in the galley on the ‘lunch’ tour.

The best time to take a tour on the Atlantic Star is on their sunset buffet cruise which is a combination dinner cruise, whale and dolphin excursion and sightseeing tour of Cape May’s backwaters.   The cruise starts out with a slow trek out to the Atlantic Ocean through Wildwood’s Sunset Lake and Jarvis Sound and past the U.S. Coast Guard station and finally through the Cape May Inlet before reaching the open sea.

Once out on the open sea, the Atlantic Star uses state of the art technology to track dolphins and whales, but unfortunately cannot guarantee a sighting with our elusive whale population.   The sights on the tour are amazing as the trip continues south towards Cape May, the Cape May Lighthouse and past the mysterious hulk of the S.S. Altantus.  The S.S. Atlantus was a concrete ship built in 1918 for the United States Navy just after World War I.  While the Atlantus never saw wartime service, it made several cross Atlantic voyages to return U.S. troops home from Europe.  It was later decomissioned and sold to a private investor who had hoped to use the Atlantus as ferry dock to connect Cape May to neighboring Delware, but the ship ran aground off the coast of Cape May during a storm.   Unable to dislodge the ship, it was abandoned and is still visible from the shore and from ocean as the hull of the ship protrudes several feet out of the water.

Another great site along the way is St. Mary’s by The Sea,  a Catholic convent and restored Victorian era hotel that was once known as the Shoreham Hotel but served as a convent for most of its 119 year history.   The hotel was purchased in 1909 by the Sisters of St. Joseph as a summer retreat.   This beautiful building has been under constant attack by mother nature as the sisters have fought against an encroaching shoreline for over 50 years.   Luckily, their prayer power and faith has kept the raging Atlantic Ocean away from their New Jersey treasure.

One of the great perks about taking a trip on the Atlantic Star is the chance for youngsters to actually pilot the ship, depending on the weather and seas of course.   On our trip, all the children were able to steer the ship for a few minutes while the captain gave them quick on the job training on being a ship captain.    Amazingly, the children actually did steer the ship as it was not on auto pilot and they always do a magnificent job at the helm according to the captain.

After working its way around the southern tip of New Jersey and past the Cape May Lighthouse, the ship sets course  around to the quieter side of the Cape May peninsula and into the calmer waters of the Delaware bay.   With the Cape May Lighthouse always in view at some point, dinner is now served.   Don’t expect great things from your dinner as it’s usually catered buffet food from one of Wildwood’s great restaurants served on paper plates with plastic knives.   If you are expecting fine dining, perhaps this wouldn’t be the tour for you.    It’s a fun experience for the children to sit in the galley of a ship eating dinner as the waves move them back and forth.

From the Delaware Bay, the ship heads back inland through the Cape May Canal past the Cape May – Lewes ferry terminal which connects New Jersey to Delaware via a fleet of always running ferries.   There is a chance to have an encounter with a ferry which the children always enjoys as the ship captains blow their horns at each other.

For the remainder of the trip, it’s a quiet venture through the quiet, scenic and  marshy waterways on the west side of Cape May and Wildwood.   This part of the trip provides families with many unique scenic and sunset photo opportunities as the ship meanders through lagoons and channels back to its home port in Wildwood.

Overall the dinner cruise is a combined experience that starts with natural encounters with dolphins and whales, then through the history of Cape May and ends with an eco tour through the backwaters, home to many species of shore birds.   For many children, the best part of the experience will probably be getting behind the wheel of the boat and blowing the horn, they also will enjoy the scenic beauties that surround them.   The staff does a great job to keep the children interested and it’s an all around great family excursion if you’re vacationing in the Wildwood and Cape May region.

Exersaucer Triple Fun Jungle is a developmental wonder for your baby

News For Parents -  As your baby grows and begins to progress through stages of development, one of the hardest tasks as a parent and perhaps source of costliest mistakes is deciding which activity centers and playsets to purchase for your child.

Sometimes you will find yourself buying two products that overlap, sometimes you’ll find yourself in a situation where you might need something extra as your baby enters in between periods of growth.

One item that is a must have for babies is an exersaucer, from Evenflo.  They’re great playsets that encourage lower muscle development, head and neck muscle development, motor skills and basically introduce your baby to a new world of using their bodies in ways they never knew before.

Evenflo makes many exersaucer models, but the one we chose was the Evenflo ExerSaucer Triple Fun – Jungle because it starts out as an activity mat, which then can be converted into a fully functional exersaucer and finally to a creative learning center once your child can walk on their own.

The activity mat setup was simple.  It’s basically a soft green leaf shape mat that attaches to the two activity bars from the exersaucer and a great secondary activity mat for a finished basement or upstairs play area for your baby.  The mat itself is very basic and you probably want a nice activity mat in the begining as your primary play area.

Once your baby can support their head, neck and back, they are ready for mom and dad to conver the matt into the exersaucer.   Setup was not a snap and does require a screwdriver, patience and close attention to the manual.    There are spring loaded legs were the most difficult part of the setup only because you have to match the springs exeactly in the right locations inorder to make sure the legs of the saucer can’t  buckle and move while your child is jumping around.   Other than the spring assembly, installation was  a snap.

Why is this exersaucer better than the rest?  It’ simply has more activities for your child with two overhead activity bars and removable and interchangeable components all around your baby.  Our baby started using his exersaucer this week and has been going absolutely bonkers with it, in fact when his time is up, and we take him out he has a fit because he wants to stay in.   Maybe when his muscles are a bit more developed, he can spend more time, but we can tell that his new favorite place to be is in his 3 in 1 jungle.

Once your baby outgrows the exersaucer, the unit turns into a stationery play center in which the child can move about and play at different areas in S shaped activity desk.  This product will last through the whole first year of your child’s life opposed to other systems that they will outgrow once they start walking.  It’s great for 1-12 month olds.

Our baby playing in the Evenflo Exersaucer Triple Fun Jungle.

Casual PC users switching to Apple

Stilton Company -Over the years, as an IT manager for many companies, I’ve always been frustrated by the mindset splits between PC and Mac computers.   From a business standpoint, it has always made sense to standardize, but in the age of digital media and graphic design, most design and arts teams have always claimed to require Mac technology to get their job done, but the new  full line of Apple iMac’s being pushed out by Apple are finally taking serious aim at the Dell business PC stronghold as the price per processing power unit of the line finally becomes business affordable.

Today, most design, graphics and arts based business practices rely heavily on Mac products, but the Mac is now making some serious inroads with casual home computer users who are getting fed up with the complexities and ever changing environments in PC based Windows operating systems.   Macs have proven to be less prone to viruses, spyware, hacks and crashes and in the casual user community, they are finally starting to be recognized as a practical and affordable solution, not just for the eccentric artsy types.

The following review serves as testimony that among casual computer users in the web, email and social networking age, Apple is becoming a serious consideration where it was once balked at for being the PC for hippies.

How much money does an iMac cost?

Today, You can buy a high powered and high end mac for just over $1,000:

Apple iMac MB418LL/A 24-Inch Desktop

This review is intended mainly for PC users who are new to the Mac. I’m not a huge computer person, I’ve always had PCs, and frankly I’ve always thought Macs were for hippies with ponytails. I pretty much have to use a PC for my job functions, but over the last few years I’ve been underwhelmed by both my home and work desktop (both dells) and my home notebook (HP). I’m fed up with the windows BS – freezing for no reason, slowing down for no reason, taking forever to shutdown/startup, constantly nagging to update virus software etc. I’m ok putting up with this for my work PC, but when it was time to replace my home desktop I decided to take a look at the Mac. I’m glad I did. I went with the 2.66ghz iMac with 24″ monitor and 640gig HD.

First Impressions: Coming from a Dell, the iMac was pretty damn impressive right out of the box. The single box was smaller than I expected, and Amazon packed it pretty good (important because Amazon has dropped the ball on this before on other items). The 24″ screen is HUGE and looks great. Setup is a breeze – it took much longer to disconnect my PC than to set this up. Just plug it in, connect to router, connect keyboard and you are ready. No, I don’t miss the gigantic bundle of wires that used to be next to my desk. I was connected and playing around with this within 5 minutes of opening the box.

Pros: Beautiful screen, fast, easy to get set up and start using. The display is impressive compared to a windows PC. No dealing with virus software nagging for updates. The Time Machine feature makes it extremely easy to back up. Great overall design w/ few wires and nice touches like 2 USB inputs on the keyboard, camera built into monitor etc.

Cons: No Bluray player option (why not?). No numeric pad on keyboard (but I can’t knock them for this since it is an option if you order from Apple’s website). Built in speakers in monitor are pretty weak for music (I’ll upgrade). I do think the “it’s so intuitive to use” hype of Macs is a bit overhyped today – I think the user interface on a windows machine is just as intuitive, albeit much less visually impressive.

Where to buy: I purchased this from Amazon and I’m glad I did, as I saved about $150 vs. the Apple store. The downside to ordering on Amazon is the apple store gives you a few choices (like a numeric pad on the keyboard and wireless mouse) that Amazon does not. I initially started to purchase this from the Apple website because I wanted the numeric keypad, but as I was checking out I noticed they slapped me with sales tax of about $100 – you normally don’t pay sales tax when you buy on the internet and the vendor is out of state. When I saw that I immediately cancelled my order and purchased from Amazon (plus Amazon was a bit cheaper to begin with in addition to no sales tax). Amazon also shipped it to me faster (though I have Amazon Prime), and did a good job packaging it. If you go w/ the apple store online, pay attention to sales tax your results may vary depending on your state.

Bottom line: I’m glad I got this. It’s a great alternative for a home computer which I mostly use for internet and media purposes (I won’t be installing excel on this machine!). It is a bit pricey compared to a PC, but it’s worth it if you appreciate the impressive design, nice asthetics, great monitor, and less headache vs. a PC.

Nintendo DSi Review

Nintendo DSi – In 2004, Nintendo released the original Nintendo DS. Just two years later, the Nintendo DS Lite debuted and was better than the original by far. Since its original release, the Nintendo DS has gone on to sell more than 100 million units worldwide. With sales numbers like that, why would Nintendo need to release another revamp of their prized handheld? More than that, are the new features worth picking up if you have a DS Lite or if you still have an original DS? Well, it can be, but if you’re perfectly content with your original DS or your DS Lite there’s nothing wrong with that, and you don’t have to buy it. That’s not to say it would be a bad investment. For some it might be worth it.

Certainly if you still have the original DS, it is worth investing in this newer update. There are quite a few new things about the Nintendo DSi that can make it worth buying. One of the first changes that is obvious from the moment you see it is that it’s slightly smaller and designed a little differently. The power button has been moved and now doubles as a reset button. The screen is also slightly bigger and brighter than the DS Lite. When turning it on, there is also a notable difference in the interface which has been completely reworked all together. It’s been made a bit easier to use.

Perhaps the biggest and most notable difference is that the DSi no longer has a slot to play Gameboy Advance games. If you’re still playing your GBA games a lot, this is probably a pretty big subtraction when it comes to the DSi, no matter how much it includes. If you’re someone who hasn’t used your DS for playing GBA games in a while, it’s probably not a big deal, but I would’ve gladly taken a slightly thicker handheld just to maintain the GBA slot. There is, however, a slot for an SD card to store more data. The first of these is the wi-fi service which you can get on and download some downloadable games for the Nintendo DSi . Much like the Wii, you’ll spend points (100 points is equal to one dollar) to buy games. There’s also the built in web browser, but this is not something to jump up and down over really, as it isn’t a very good web browser.

Find More Nintendo DSi Reviews.

The camera is a nice addition, allowing you to customize and mess around with the pictures you take. They don’t look good on anything but the DSi screen, however, but you can store them on an SD card or the DSi’s internal memory. You can take quite a bit of photos, and mess around with them in interesting ways, such as drawing on them or manipulating faces. It can be fun to mess around with.

While the new additions are nice the more expensive price is a bit much for those who are already carrying a DS Lite. There are some new features but there isn’t too much done here to enhance the gaming experience itself outside of a larger screen. However, that doesn’t mean it isn’t worthwhile. The download service in particular can be very worthwhile in the future. The games on the download service also aren’t too expensive. In short, even DS Lite owners might find it worth the extra money after a while.

Another big hit to the Nintendo DSi is that the battery life just isn’t as long as the previous incarnations. For those wanting to use it primarily for gaming, it might surprise you that the DSi will need to be charged a lot more frequently, as the battery last five hours shorter than that of the DS Lite. It takes a bit shorter to charge as a result, but you’ll find yourself charging it quite a bit, especially if you play with the screen on the brightest settings.

Compare Prices on Nintendo DSi.

In the end some may wonder if the upgrade is worth it. It’s a bit more expensive than the DS Lite and doesn’t have a GBA slot and a shorter battery life. However, you are getting some nice extra features, and with Nintendo planning to implement them in some of their games in the future, it’s at least worth consideration. DS Lite owners may not need to upgrade immediately, but in the future it might be worth considering. If you don’t own a DS at all, the DSi is probably the best bet.

The Nintendo DSi is a nice step in the evolution of Nintendo’s handheld. It has a lot of new features that can go a long way. Even DS Lite owners might want to consider updating at some point, but it still stands: if you’re content with your DS Lite or original DS you don’t have to get it. It’s certainly worth considering, though.

Recaro Young Sport Child Car Seat

From the Manufacturer
Young Sport Car Seat – Midnight Desert

This innovative seat offers the latest safety protection like energy-absorbing EPS foam, deep side wings and an excellent fit for children weighing 18 – 80 lbs. Due to its outstanding versatility it provides the perfect platform on which to watch your child grow. With its height-adjustability it offers optimum safety for toddlers and young children. And as soon as your child outgrows the 5-point harness and seat cushion you can remove them, converting the Young Sport into a booster seat. Children 18 – 80 lbs and 26.5 – 59 inches tall. Features:Children 18 – 80 lbs and 26.5 – 59 inches tallAdjustable backrest without removing the belt.Adjustable seat angle for perfect fit to rear benchUse with integrated harness system for children between 18 and 40 lbsUse with vehicle seat belt for children between 30 and 80 lbsPLEASE NOTE: This Car Seat Can Not Be Shipped to Canada (more…)

Bugaboo Cameleon Adapter for Graco Car Seat

Thanks to the Bugaboo adapters, various car seats (Graco and Peg Perego) can be attached to the chassis of Bugaboo strollers.

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Recaro Vivo Lite Child Booster Car Seat

From the Manufacturer
Recaro Vivo Lite High Back Booster – Cobalt

The Vivo is an easily adjusted booster car seat that is reinforced with aluminum for extra durability. The Vivo offers 3 recline positions for your child’s comfort, and comes with deep padded side wings in the headrest and seat areas for enhanced safety. For your benefit, RECARO made the Vivo booster as easy to manage as possible, incorporating two-piece folding mechanics and simple adjustment settings for easy handling and transportation. Features:Accommodates children 3 – 12 years old30 to 100 lbs. forward facing onlyMax child height is 59″Recaro side impact protectionSeat height 27″ – 32.5″One hand single button headrest adjustmentFoldable for easy storageAluminum reinforced structureCover is breathable, washable fabric6 headrest positions (more…)

Vivo Booster Car Seat – Crimson Micro fiber and cool mesh

From the Manufacturer
Recaro Vivo Microfiber/mesh Booster – Crimson

As your child grows so do his or her demands. The RECARO High Back Booster Vivo lite not only looks good, it also offers excellent side-protection for your child due to its extra large head and side wings and fully adjustable headrest. In addition, it is equipped with a convenient carrying handle and can be easily transported between vehicles. The Vivo lite comfortable padding, its adjustable backrest and integrated armrests add fun and pleasure to every journey. Features:Accommodates child 3 – 12 years old30 to 100 lbs. forward facing onlyMax child height is 59″Recaro side impact protectionSeat height ” – 32.5″One hand single button headrest adjustmentFoldable for easy storageAluminum reinforced structureMicrofiber with soft mesh inserts6 headrest positions (more…)

Cosco Scenera Convertible Car Seat

From the Manufacturer
The Cosco Scenera Convertible Car Seat will keep your children safe and secure. This convertible car seat can be used as rear facing from 5-35 pounds and forward facing from 22-40 pounds. It features a 5-point harness with an upfront harness adjustment. This comes with four harness heights and 3 buckle strap locations allow for a snug and secure fit and the 2 position recline offers comfort. This car seat boasts a removable cup holder and a removable and washable seat pad.

Cosco Scenera Convertible Car SeatKeep your children safe and secure with this durable Scenera Convertible Car Seat by Cosco. This covertible car seat can be used as rear-facing from 5-35 lbs. and forward-facing from 22-40 lbs. The Scenera features a 5-point harness with an up-front harness adjustment to keep your child secure. The four harness heights allow for a snug and secure fit and the 2-position recline offers comfort. This car seat boasts a removable cup holder and a (more…)

Combi Shuttle Infant Car Seat

From the Manufacturer
The lightweight, portable Shuttle Infant Car Seat with Anti-Rebound Bar features an effortless harness height adjustment system that eliminates the need for rethreading the 5-point harness and allows for 7 incremental adjustments for a perfect harness fit for baby. The adjustable headrest area is fully lined with energy absorbing EPS Foam, and the breathable seat cover is removable and washable. The Anti-Rebound feature is integrated directly into the seat itself, so performs both while used with the included base, or as a stand-alone seat. The included base is a small, sculpted height adjustable unit for the vehicle, with latch attachments and storage with a rear-facing capacity of birth-22 pounds and up to 29″. Also includes easy one-pull harness adjustment, level indicator for vehicle, 2 piece chest clip, buckle protector pad, harness comfort pads, and adjustable, ergonomically designed handle. It is also compatible with all 2009 Combi strollers.
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