Notes from the host
The Linden Cottage
"Just give me the quiet to hear the waves breaking and the gulls laughing all day...."
That's an actual quote from a previous guest, and it describes the non-summer Strathmere experience perfectly. The light is gorgeous, the gulls are laughing, the beach is deserted, the town is silent and there's no waiting at the bar. (And the rates are cheap!) So why on earth do they call it the "off season?" The time is now to secure your desert-island experience in happy little Strathmere. Our peak summer/fall weeks rent quickly with regular return guests. So why not think about early spring, winter and late fall? With the sun still shining, the south deck is still a great spot for warm afternoon nap. The beach is all yours (perfect for running Fido and Rover). Put a pot roast on the stove, listen to the fireplace sizzle and watch those crazy kite surfers fly over the cold, roaring waves. Ah....time to think, read and per chance to dream....
During the pandemic we are leaving 24 hours between guests so we can take our time and deep clean. We wrapped the mattresses in plastic (like your grandmother's living room in South Philly), shrunk-wrapped the remotes, and we even sanitize the doorknobs and light switches. And we'd like everyone to bring their own bedding, per Cape May County Health Department guidelines. This is the perfect place to safely ponder the perplexing pandemic. And in the fall, Strathmere is a deserted island!
Here's why The Linden Cottage is so popular:
You're way up high on 13' pilings and the beach views are sweeping from every room. The sea breezes blow away any remaining thoughts of work and everyday stress and for a week or two you're relaxed in your own private Margaritaville. Upper and lower decks are perfect for lounging above the surf and watching the folks baking on the sand below. The open kitchen in the 'great room' is perfect for good cooking and casual entertaining. The house sleeps 8 quite comfortably and everyone nods off to the sound of the sea. No boardwalk, no honky-tonk, no beach tags. It's the Jersey shore the way the old-timers say it used to be, about 20 minutes south of Atlantic City. Walk everywhere in 'town,' to a couple of great BYOB's and one legendary speakeasy. Betcha dozen clams that if you come once you'll return again and again. Oh yeah, the pooch is welcome, too.
26 Sherman Avenue – 200 paces to the beach
Our house rewards those who enjoy great views and casual entertaining. The house sits high above the sea, with two large decks, upper and lower, offering wonderful beach and sunset views (and sunrise, too, for the early birds). The great room has a dining area that seats 8 and an open kitchen with an island that seats another 4. The living area has a large sofa and three reclining loungers. On the same floor is a large bedroom, with a king-size bed and full bath. Upstairs is another full bath, plus an open bedroom with a queen bed and large, comfortable queen-size futon. Also a mini-fridge. Walk through that room and find another bedroom with a queen bed. Each bedroom has access to the upper deck, which wraps around three sides of the house. Beach views are beautiful from every room. Children feel a particular affinity to the upstairs. It becomes 'theirs' rather quickly. Which leaves the great room and largest seaside deck for the grown-ups!
Our guests bring their own sheets and towels. The kitchen is well stocked in terms of cookware and appliances. We have a washer and dryer and there is central air that rarely gets used thanks to the wonderful ocean breezes. You'll probably want a light sweater in the evening, actually. And you may want to make sure you have a few flat-bottom coffee filters, laundry detergent and such. (We'll supply the septic-safe toilet paper.)
There is a tv with a dvd/vcr and wireless internet access. And we have a hot/cold outdoor shower, plus covered parking for up to 4 cars.
Our hidden secret on the Jersey shore
Our little town of Strathmere is on a small barrier island between Ocean City and Sea Isle City, NJ, about 25 minutes south of Atlantic City and 25 minutes north of Cape May. (An hour and 15 minutes from center city Philly.) There are no exit signs for it on the Garden State Parkway (heading south bound you take the second Ocean City exit to get here), which helps to keep us a bit of a secret. This is a hamlet of old fishing cottages, many of which have recently been turned into larger, contemporary homes, but the place still feels old world compared to the shore towns that have become row after row of condos and triplexes.
In Strathmere there are two BYOBs, a funky luncheonette (say hey to Steph and Alex), a pancake house and two bayside bars, including the legendary Twisties, a tiny speakeasy unchanged from the '30s. Only two blocks wide - you're either on the bayside or on a beach block - you can walk or bike to everything here. The mail does not get delivered, so everyone meets eventually at our small post office.
There are supermarkets and ordinary shopping districts in both Sea Isle and Ocean City, each about 4 miles from the heart of Strathmere. There are boardwalks and the usual seashore arcades in both towns, with a bustling amusement pier at the north end of Ocean City. In Strathmere, we have only the dunes and a wide beach, free to the public (no tags!) and it's wonderfully uncrowded in comparison to our neighboring burgs. Strathmere is a quiet, family friendly town that rewards lovers of peace, calm and at the right times, solitude.
You can see more photos of Strathmere and its unique environs at a great website run by one of the locals. Just google Strathmere, as we're not allowed to post another website here.
And you can see a live feed of the beach view from our own webcam next door. Just google Strathmere webcam and you'll find it. (The surfers love it.)
Please let us know what other questions we can answer.
Keywords: beach house, shore house, beachfront, beach views, jersey shore, barrier island, heaven