Bill and Cathy McArthur Spring/Summer/Fall 2005: 13

   As Fall began, granddaughter Rachel started daycare as Katie headed back to work. Also, granddaughter Erin began First Grade. We sent her a "bouquet" of good luck balloons to wish her well. Bill is enjoying fishing from his kayak and has caught a Croaker and a Weakfish. Bill bought a "throw net" in order to catch live bait to use for fishing. He tried the net when out with neighbor Tom, but didn't catch anything in it. On the other hand, he was able to catch a few feisty bluefish in the rips with a white bucktail and a spoon. Alex visited briefly as she joined friends for their annual Cape May reunion. Then, Howie Bell came to town for a birding adventure. Howie and Bill managed to do lots of birdwatching as the weather cooperated. The best bird seen was a Purple Sandpiper on a jetty in Cape May. The best bug seen was a Hummingbird Sphinx Moth at Hidden Valley Ranch on Cape May Point. The moth acted very much like a hummingbird as it hovered and flitted around. On Friday afternoon, September 16, Hurricane Ophelia finally had some effect on Cape May by causing some large waves around sunset. On a beautiful September Sunday, as tropical storms Phillipe and Rita were brewing in the tropics, Bill paddled to the concrete ship on a very smooth Bay. A big yacht was anchored off of Higbee's Beach as Bill paddled by. When he was just past the yacht, its helicopter lifted off and headed toward Cape May. The Autumnal Equinox came on a beautiful day, ending a great summer season.

        Bill and Cathy